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.
-
-
Dak Prescott now the highest-paid NFL player after record contract with Cowboys
Hours before their NFL season opener, quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys agreed on a record contract extension that makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history.Rescued Washington hiker missing a month ‘may have only had another day left’
Robert Schock, 39, was last seen by other hikers in an area of the park on July 31 and did not have any overnight gear with him, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said.Forida woman bitten by alligator while walking her dog recalls attack
“All of a sudden, I had a premonition, I’m telling you,” Del Boppel said from her hospital bed “It was like, ‘uh-oh.’”Rap megastar Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show
Kendrick Lamar will pop out on the NFL's biggest stage next year: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans.Officer disciplined after Miami Dolphins' Tyreek Hill was detained near stadium
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was briefly detained for an alleged traffic violation while entering Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, just hours before his team was set to open the season.Mother of Georgia shooting suspect called school to warn of emergency, aunt says
A relative of the Georgia high school shooting suspect says the teenager's mother called the school before the killings.
-
EAT IT, VIRGINIA restaurant news and interviews