PITS Invades Newport Speedway for 2025!
So, what’s all the Newport Speedway hubbub about you say?
Newport Speedway in Eastern Tennessee was built in 1977 as initially a dirt track, but was paved and molded into a 4/10-mile high-banked oval (26 degrees) and grandstands. The track became affectionately known as “Little Bristol” and had weekly racing across several late model and midget series up through the 2017 season. The track and adjacent salvage yard were purchased on April 1st 2024 and extensive renovations began immediately. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene pushed the grand re-opening to November 2024.
PITS has grown its grassroots Driving Experience events (Driving School, Autocross, Drifting and Burnout Comps) over the years at The Tennessee Smokies Minor League Baseball Stadium, however the ball team moved into their new stadium in Knoxville after the 2024 season which removed this venue as a viable option for PITS and other driving events that regularly rented the parking lots for years.
“When one door closes, another opens.” – Alexander Graham Bell
Conversations and visits through the Fall of 2024 led to a major facility upgrade for PITS in 2025 as the new owners of Newport Speedway are serious about turning this property in a major multi-use entertainment complex with renovations literally happening daily. They have welcomed Ponies In The Smokies as a completely new experience for them which they are very much looking forward to hosting.
Renovations include: Grading and Acres of new hard packed parking lot stone, New LED Lighting system, New state of the art PA system, New concrete grandstands, New asphalt on the infield, New spectator fencing, New sign-up buildings, Removal of the old infield structures and a brand new structure built just inside of the turns 3 & 4 to offer restrooms, concessions and a garage space convenient for those in the infield.
Amenities include, 4,000 capacity seating, Concessions in the Tower, Infield and Paddock Building, Sugar Shack and Moonshine Shack/Retail store, Playground, Turn 3 Spotter’s Tower, LED lighting and Premium PA/Sound System. Another unique feature Newport Speedway offers is their tiered parking located on each end of the oval. PITS has dubbed this as “Skybox Parking” which allows spectators to park their hot rods track side looking down on the action providing a tailgating type of experience. Parrottsville, TN VFD will serve as our fire and rescue providers all three days at The Speedway.
How far is Newport Speedway?
Address – 767 Industrial Road, Newport, TN 37821
The ride out is scenic with meandering 2 and 4-lane roads and those familiar with the Bush’s Baked Beans Plant are already familiar with this route. We have also placed two Shine Run stops in Newport to help participants kill a few birds with one stone on Wednesday.
For perspective:
Pigeon Forge to Newport Speedway = 31 miles / 46 min
Pigeon Forge to Smokies Stadium = 15 miles / 30 min
Sevierville Convention Center to Newport Speedway = 29 miles / 42 min
Sevierville Convention Center to Knoxville Dragway = 38 miles / 46 min
We hope you are as excited about this new venue as we are as the current and future renovations will make this a fantastic facility for years to come!
1 year ago!
November 2024
