Lin Oneill News Today

The 0.333-mile track, dubbed “the toughest short track in the South,” opened in 1959.

HAMPTON — In the pit area of Langley Speedway, a racecar comes to a stop. Crystal West pulls herself out of the driver-side window, tosses off her jacket and…

Despite 120 years of auto racing in Virginia, enthusiasts say speedways are in need of help to stay competitive with other entertainment options.

Marking a change of course, the county’s goals for the racetrack property are to “return auto racing to Southside Speedway with sustainable business operations.”

“It’s a second home to a lot of racing people. I don’t think the county realized what that place meant to so many people,” said Lin O’Neill of the Save Southside Speedway movement that has advocated for a return of car racing to the venue.

The Southside Speedway racetrack has been closed since 2020 and is the subject of an ongoing effort by Chesterfield County to find a developer to revamp the property.

<strong>Other lives:</strong> Journalist, teacher and politician who was a fearless spokesman for the people who were unable to speak for themselves