HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Growing up right across the street from Richmond International Raceway, Reggie Johnson would always get a jolt of excitement when NASCAR's spring and fall races would come to town.
"I have very fond memories watching the people come, watching the trailers come in, going, 'Hey there's my favorite driver!'" Johnson said.
When CBS 6 broke the news to Johnson Wednesday afternoon, he was shocked.
"It's always been two races a year. I never thought the day would come when they take one away," he said.
He said over the years, residents would often complain about traffic concerns from thousands of fans coming in for race weekend.
IN-DEPTH: What Richmond loss of NASCAR race weekend means for community
Other residents, like Mary Wood, would open up their yards or parking lots to charge for parking.
"Before COVID-19, I used to park, fill my yard up, and there would be people who would camp out in the backyard, and that kind of stuff," Wood said. "One thing I've noticed is that the crowd has diminished quite a bit."
Wood and Johnson said over the past few years, they've seen fewer and fewer visitors coming to the raceway.
"I'm sure a lot of business owners are like, 'Oh, no,'" Wood said.
CBS 6 spoke with Harry Sharma, who manages Race Track Market.
"That day we do a lot of business," Sharma said about each race.
With the loss of one race, Sharma said it could have a major impact.
"We lose $5,000 to $10,000," he said. "They should do more. The reducing, it's bad."
Johnson said he understands the move, though he worries about the economic impact it could have on Henrico County and Richmond.
“I can understand it once a year, if they’re trying to expand, go international. There are international drivers in NASCAR now, so why not? You have to go with the punches."
CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
-
-
Over a dozen black cats adopted at Poe Museum Friday the 13th event
The Poe Museum partnered with Richmond Animal League and the Richmond SPCA for the Black Cat Adoption Event, aptly held on Friday the 13th.Pope slams both Harris and Trump as 'against life'
Pope Francis on Friday slammed both U.S. presidential candidates for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration, urging Catholics to vote for the "lesser evil."Half of US renters are 'cost-burdened' by their housing
Census Bureau data shows half of the renters in the U.S. are spending more than 30% of their income on housing.Pharrell announces 'Something in the Water' festival postponed to April 2025
Musician Pharrell Williams announced Friday that his annual "Something in the Water" music festival will not be held as originally scheduled in October.He started City Kids to give children a chance to serve their community
City Kids hopes to inspire positive change by involving elementary to high school students in cooking and service projects.Police respond to arrest outside Waffle House after video shared online
Several people reached out to CBS 6 with questions about the arrest and sought additional context surrounding what the video showed.
-
EAT IT, VIRGINIA restaurant news and interviews