ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Speedway has announced that the 2023 season will be its last as the iconic track has been sold for redevelopment.
The neighboring Forest Hills Lodge will close on June 1, 2023.
Owners said development along 173 prompted the decision to sell the speedway.
Opened in 1948, Rockford Speedway has hosted local and national events, including NASCAR races. Hugh and Jody Deery became owners of the Speedway in 1966.
Jodie Deere passed away in June 2022 at the age of 97.
Rockford Speedway General Manager David Deary said, “For years we’ve watched the neighborhood transform into a busy commercial corridor, this day is approaching, and while it’s great for the city, it’s exciting for the thousands of fans and drivers who have made Rockford Speedway their ‘family’ on for several generations. We know this will be the last year for our major events to lose the use of the property in front of the speedway along Hwy 173 as that area will be developed first and the speedway itself will remain pending further land sales.”
Speedway planned a a complete series of events in the 76th season in 2023, and the last round will take place on October 29, 2023.
Speedway President Susan Deery stated; “This is a sad day for the racing community and our speedway family. Generations of families have been involved in racing, watching, working – and to see it come to an end breaks my heart. We’re very proud of the contribution the Speedway has made to the racing industry, being the starting point for many in racing and the business, and the impact the venue has had on the state’s community, but that doesn’t negate the sadness.”
Rockford Speedway has been sold to HJS Development, which is managed by Shorewood Development.
Shorewood Development director Ryan Fitzgerald said: “This is the last property to develop for Loves Park at 173 and it is in demand. Shorewood understands that the speedway has been a tradition of family fun and understands that this will leave a void in the City of Love Park and in the world of racing, but development opportunities along the 173 corridor are limited, putting pressure on the Deary family.”
Infrastructure construction will begin in the summer of 2023 along Highway 173, but the Speedway says it will cause minimal disruption to scheduled events.
For information on the final season of the Rockford Finale at Rockford Speedway, Click here.
https://wgntv.com/news/north-suburbs/rockford-speedway-to-close-after-76-years-being-sold/
