The March 28th photo above of the front straight-away and grandstand of the fairgrounds is a rather sad site for true Warsaw Speedway fans. The scoring tower and grandstands still remain, but the grass and weeds have grown up through the clay racing surface and much of the cement walls have either decayed or have been torn down to make way for the restructuring of the infield area.

For many years, the rumor has circulated that racing may be on its way back to Warsaw. Two years after the speedway closed, the fair board attempted to make some much needed money by bringing back a once-a-year race during Fair Week, but were told by drivers that they would not attend. Three years later, Warsaw sprint champion, Bimbo Atkins, made a fairboard presentation proposing a limited racing season with the understanding of getting lakefront property owners approval. The fairboard rejected the proposal. More recently, the fairboard that was in office until this year indicated that they would welcome racing if only there weren't the legal issues involved. One member even discussed with me last summer about bringing the cars back for a Show & Shine Competition and trying to resolve the hard feelings between the local racers and the fairboard that allowed the track to close over 10 years ago.

But now, the new fairboard is moving forward with renovations and reconstruction of the infield and retaining wall areas to accomodate the yearly Truck Pulls and Demolition Derby held during July's Fair Week. This definitely puts an end to any and all rumors that racing will ever be back in Warsaw - at least at this site known for 42 years of racing history.

In speaking with two of the current fairboard members, I found out that all of the labor and construction work for this project has been donated by local companies. They will be knocking down the 2nd turn wall and eventually the entire backstretch wall to make more room for the semi trucks getting on and off the pulling and staging area. They have also taken out the backstretch lights and lightpoles and are moving them to the middle of what we know as the infield for better frontstretch lighting. The safety fences were already torn down a few years ago. They told me that by July 1st, the entire track area will look totally different with more parking in the back and a larger park and recreation area along the lake to be used for camping or scouting activities. (They also indicated that the word must be out because they've had many people driving past the track lately and taking pictures).

The one board member I spoke with attended Warsaw races since the early days and totally understands how the renovations might make racing fans feel, but he also shared that the board has to move on and make the best of what they have to keep the Kosciusko County Fair and Fairgrounds the best place it can be for the community.

The sight of what "used to be" still has a way of making you feel sad.......