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.
-
-
Another woman has accused Deshaun Watson of sexual assault in a new lawsuit
A woman in Texas filed a lawsuit on Monday accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexually assaulting her during an October 2020 date.Planes collide while taxiing at Atlanta airport, loud bangs heard
An occupied Delta jet was significantly damage after it collided with another plane while taxiing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Tuesday.Male construction workers face 75% higher suicide rate than general population
Male construction workers are committing suicide at a rate that's 75% higher than the general population. It's a number that keeps climbing.Israel says forces unintentionally killed an American activist in the West Bank
The Israeli military says an American activist who was shot and killed in the West Bank last week was likely shot "indirectly and unintentionally" by Israeli forces aiming at someone else.Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet: 'We are preparing for the worst'
Mayor-President Monique Boulet in Lafayette Parish said they're preparing for the worst in her region. She joined Scripps News Morning Rush to urge Louisianans to prepare now for the storm.Artist Will.i.am utilizing AI for brand new radio platform
Artist Will.i.am. is launching a platform that behaves similarly to Alexa or Siri, but has a natural conversation with users.
-
EAT IT, VIRGINIA restaurant news and interviews