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.
-
-
Teenager who told police he was stabbed at Busch Gardens is recovering
An 18-year-old guest is recovering after he was stabbed at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, according to James City County Police.Biden: Secret Service 'needs more help' after gunman allegedly targeted Trump
After former President Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt on Sunday, President Biden says the Secret Service "needs more help."TikTok is in court over US law that could lead to a ban on the platform
The U.S. government and TikTok went head-to-head in federal court on Monday, beginning oral arguments in a consequential legal case that will determine if the platform will be banned in the country.Police ID man found dead in Henrico yard, teen arrested for deadly crime
James Lawitz, 30, of Henrico County, was found dead outside a home along the 100 block of S. Cedar Avenue in Varina.2 colleges in Springfield, Ohio, going virtual due to threats
Numerous institutions are facing threats in Springfield, Ohio, after former President Trump brought up unverified claims about the Haitian community during the presidential debate.First witness testifies to Coast Guard about Titan submersible implosion
U.S. Coast Guard officials investigating the Titan submersible implosion heard from former employees of OceanGate, the company that owned the vessel.
-
EAT IT, VIRGINIA restaurant news and interviews