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.
-
-
What impact will the Taylor Swift endorsement have?
What impact will the Taylor Swift endorsement have? An expert says it doesn't just stop with the pop star's Instagram post.Store credit cards now carry a record interest rate
Store credit cards are now coming with a record-high interest rate. Here's what you should watch out for even when there are interest-free promotions.Police: 13-year-old boy 'confessed' to posting Chesterfield shooting threats
Police identified a 13-year-old male student at Salem Church Middle School as the person behind the posts and added the student had no access to weapons.Richmond bagel shop promises kettle-boiled bagels, lightning-fast service
Baltik’s bagels will be similar to New York-style bagels but “a little bit lighter in body, and a little bit less dense,” Yero Rudzinskas said.Father of Ohio boy asks Trump not to invoke son's death in immigration debate
The father of an Ohio boy killed last year when a Haitian immigrant driver hit a school bus is asking Trump and other politicians to stop invoking his son's name in the debate about immigration.More fog possible tonight
More low clouds and areas of fog will be possible tonight into Saturday morning, along with some drizzle or some sprinkles.
-
EAT IT, VIRGINIA restaurant news and interviews