Volunteer Speedway
{{Short description|Dirt race track in Bulls Gap, Tennessee}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| name = Volunteer Speedway
| nicknames = The Gap
| location = near Bulls Gap, Tennessee
| coordinates = {{Coord|36.22318|-83.05283|type:landmark_region:US-TN|display=inline}}
| logo =
| logo_caption =
| image = Bulls gap.jpg
| image_caption = Volunteer Speedway in 2006
| capacity =
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| owner =
| operator =
| broke_ground = 1973
| opened = 1974
| closed =
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| events =
| layout1 = 4/10 Mile
| surface = dirt
| length_km = 0.65
| length_mi = 0.4
| miles_first = true
| turns = 4
| banking = 32° (turns)
| record_time = 10.258
| record_driver = Kasey Kahne
| record_team =
| record_year =
| record_class = Sprints
| embedded =
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}}
Volunteer Speedway is a 4/10 mile long dirt race track located in Greene County in the eastern part of Tennessee, in Mosheim (14095 West Andrew Johnson Highway, Bulls Gap, TN postal address). It is known as "The World's Fastest Dirt Track". It has the nickname of "The Gap." The track is banked at 32 degrees in the corners and is known for its high speed.{{cite web |title=The Gap: Dirt Late Model Racing’s Recent History at Volunteer Speedway |url=https://worldofoutlaws.com/latemodels/the-gap-dirt-late-model-racings-recent-history-at-volunteer-speedway/ |website=World of Outlaws Late Model Series |access-date=May 15, 2021 |date=June 15, 2020}} The track record of 10.258 seconds is held by Kasey Kahne in a sprint car.{{Cite episode |title=Lucas Oil ASCS Sprints at Volunteer |episode-link= |url= |access-date= |series=RacinBoys |series-link= |first= |last= |network=FloRacing |station= |date=May 15, 2021 |season= |series-no= |number= |minutes= |time=21:31 |transcript= |transcript-url= |quote= |language=}}
History
It was originally built in 1973 and opened during the 1974 racing season. The track was originally owned by Ed Turner before Joe and Phyllis Loven ran the track.{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Richard |title=Volunteer Speedway offered for sale – Inside Dirt Racing |url=https://insidedirtracing.com/volunteer-speedway-offered-for-sale/ |website=Inside Dirt Racing |access-date=May 15, 2021 |date=February 22, 2021}} Mitch McCarter (the owner of 411 Speedway) leased the track in 2017 and 2018. Stan Lester, owner of FASTRAK Racing Series, operated the track with Phyllis Loven in early 2019 before the track was leased to Landon Stallard. Stallard tried to put the track up for sale in February 2021 while continuing to operate the track.
Racing Events
The track hosts regional and national dirt track events for several sanctioning bodies. It holds national events including the World of Outlaws Late Model Series{{cite web |title=Ultimate Champion Stuns WoO Late Models in Tennessee |url=https://speed51.com/ultimate-champion-stuns-woo-late-models-in-tennessee/ |website=Speed51 |access-date=May 15, 2021}} and Crate Nationals.{{cite web |title="Thugg Nasty" Riding Momentum Into Volunteer Speedway |url=https://speed51.com/thugg-nasty-riding-momentum-into-volunteer-speedway/ |website=Speed51 |access-date=May 15, 2021}} As of 2020, the World of Outlaws have raced at the track in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2018, and 2020. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series held races at the track in 2007, 2008, twice in 2009, three times in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Regional events include: Schaeffer’s Oil Iron-Man Championship Late Model Series,{{cite web |title=Tennessee Driver Captures Iron-Man Win at ‘The Gap’ |url=https://speed51.com/tennessee-driver-captures-iron-man-win-at-the-gap/ |website=Speed51 |access-date=May 15, 2021}} FASTRAK Racing Series, American Sprint Car Series,{{cite news |last1=Birchfield |first1=Jeff |title=Volunteer Speedway to host ASCS Sprint Cars Saturday |url=https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/sports/volunteer-speedway-to-host-ascs-sprint-cars-saturday/article_0439e54c-b1c9-11eb-971c-bbfdb1c5c394.html |access-date=May 15, 2021 |work=Johnson City Press |date=May 12, 2021 |language=en}} and the Southern Nationals.{{cite web |title=Madden Cashes In at Volunteer Speedway |url=https://speed51.com/madden-cashes-in-at-volunteer-speedway/ |website=Speed51 |access-date=May 15, 2021}} The track previously held events for the All Star Circuit of Champions sprint cars. Between 2004 and 2020, the track has hosted 17 national dirt late model races between the World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil sanctions. Winners in those 17 races include Jimmy Owens (3), Scott Bloomquist (2), and Tim McCreadie.
The track is still operating on a weekly basis running local events. Weekly classes include Crate late models, Steel Head Late Models, Sportsman Late Model,{{cite web |title=Four Drivers Visit Volunteer Victory Lane on Easter Weekend |url=https://speed51.com/horton-ballenger-tharp-blanken-merritt-visit-victory-lane-at-volunteer-speedway/ |website=Speed51 |access-date=May 15, 2021}} Modified Streets, and Classic.{{cite web |title=Newport Nightmare Out-Duels Smoky for Win at Bulls Gap |url=https://speed51.com/newport-nightmare-out-duels-smoky-for-win-at-bulls-gap/ |website=Speed51 |access-date=May 15, 2021}} The track works with nearby 411 Motor Speedway, Smoky Mountain Speedway, and Tazewell Speedway for matters of mutual concern.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.volunteerspeedway.com/ Volunteer Speedway official website]
{{Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race venues}}
{{World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series race venues}}
{{All Star Circuit of Champions race venues}}
{{Coord|36.22318|-83.05283|type:landmark_region:US-TN|display=title}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Greene County, Tennessee
Category:Motorsport venues in Tennessee
Category:Tourist attractions in Greene County, Tennessee