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.
-
-
First on Scripps News: VA awarding $52M in grants to prevent military suicides
First on Scripps News: The VA awarding $52 million in grants to help prevent military suicides. Read more here.Polaris Dawn crew conducts first-ever commercial spacewalk
Early Thursday morning, the first private spacewalk took place in orbit high above Earth. It comes several days after the Polaris Dawn crew blasted off from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX rocket.Testimony underway in $930 million civil trial against Virginia hospital, doctor
Forty-six former patients are suing the Cumberland Children’s Hospital, Universal Health Services (UHS), UHS of Delaware (UHS-D), and former medical director Dr. Daniel Davidow for $930 million.Surprise costs at major auto lender drive struggling borrowers deeper into debt
Surprise costs at a major auto lender are driving borrowers deeper into debt. Read more in this Scripps News, ProPublica partnership story.Investigation launched into what sparked a fire that damaged this Henrico church
Iglesia Adventista West End at North Parham Road and Rolando Drive, caught fire just after 9 p.m. Wednesday.The two pieces of steel reminding Virginians of the 9/11 tragedies
"Those pieces came from Tower 1, which was the first one struck by Flight 11, between the 92nd and 94th floor," said John Riley, the President of the Freedom Flag Foundation.
-
EAT IT, VIRGINIA restaurant news and interviews