Myrtle Beach Speedway
 | |
| Location | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT-5 |
| Coordinates | 33°44′47″N 78°57′7″W / 33.74639°N 78.95194°WCoordinates: 33°44′47″N 78°57′7″W / 33.74639°N 78.95194°W |
| Capacity | 12,000 (Oval) |
| Opened | 1958 |
| Major events | NASCAR Whelen All-American Series |
| D-oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.538 mi (0.866 km) |
| Banking |
Turns - 13° Straights - 4° front, 3° back |
The Myrtle Beach Speedway, originally named Rambi Raceway, was built in 1958 and is located on U.S. Route 501 near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The speedway is a semi-banked asphalt oval track that spans 0.538 miles (0.866 km).The NASCAR Cup series competed at the Speedway from 1958 through 1965. The NASCAR Busch Series (now the Xfinity Series) raced at Myrtle Beach Speedway from 1988 to 2000.
Currently the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race on Saturday nights from late February through November. The track also runs various other classes of racing including Late Model Charger, Super Trucks and Mini Stocks. The speedway is home of the Myrtle Beach 400, IceBreaker 200, NASCAR Racing Experience, Monster Jam, NOPI Nationals and Horry County Fair.
Over the years, Myrtle Beach Speedway has been the training grounds for some of NASCAR’s biggest stars including Dale Earnhardt Jr. (former late model stock car competitor) and Jeff Gordon (former Busch Series track record holder). All four generations of Pettys (Lee, Richard, Kyle, and Adam) and three generations of Earnhardts (Ralph, Dale Sr., and Dale Jr./Kelley[1]) have taken a green flag around the asphalt oval that spans 0.538 miles (0.866 km).
History
Rambi Raceway opened as a dirt track in 1958.
Nick Lucas bought the track in 1968, paving it in 1974. Billy Hardee became a co-owner in 1987.
A Busch Series race in 2000 was the last major NASCAR event at the track. By 2011, the NASCAR All-American Whelen Late-Model Series was the highest level of racing at the track.
In a deal that closed April, 2012, Speedway Group Inc. bought the facility, including 48 acres. Robert J. Lutz, one of the new owners, said Lt. Gov. André Bauer arranged for the deal to take place. Bauer said he wanted the track to help improve Myrtle Beach's economy with new events. Upgrades to the track are planned, and plans call for the NASCAR Racing Experience to attract drivers and tourists. One goal is another top-level race.[2]
References
- ↑ Newton, David. "Junior took a backseat to big sis Kelley". ESPN. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
- ↑ Kanpek, Kurt (2012-02-25). "New owners have big plans for Myrtle Beach Speedway". The Sun News. Retrieved 2012-02-26.