Paducah International Raceway facts for kids
| PIR | |
|---|---|
| Location | 4445 Shemwell Lane Paducah, KY |
| Time zone | Central Time Zone |
| Coordinates | 36°58′08″N 88°33′32″W / 36.969°N 88.5589°W |
| Owner | Adam and Brittany Elliott |
| Opened | 1972 |
| Major events | USA World 50, ATV Nationals, UMP Dirt Car Summer Nationals |
| Oval | |
| Surface | Clay |
| Length | 3/8 mi (6/10 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
Paducah International Raceway (PIR) is a cool place for racing in Paducah, Kentucky. It's a 3/8-mile oval track made of clay. Many different kinds of race cars have competed here. These include powerful Super Late Models and speedy Mini Sprints. The track has also hosted exciting Demolition Derby events.
Contents
History of Paducah International Raceway
When PIR First Opened
The Paducah International Raceway first opened its gates in 1972. Over the years, many different groups owned and ran the track. It became a popular spot for racing fans in the area.
Famous NASCAR Drivers Take Over
In 2005, some very famous people bought the track. These included NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kenny Schrader. They teamed up with a race promoter named Bob Sargent. This was the first racetrack that Dale Earnhardt Jr. owned. Kenny Schrader and Bob Sargent already had experience owning tracks. They had tracks in other states like Illinois and Missouri.
Later, in 2006, another NASCAR star joined the group. Tony Stewart became a part-owner of PIR. Tony Stewart also owned Eldora Speedway in Ohio. He was also a part-owner of Macon Speedway in Illinois. These famous drivers helped make PIR a well-known racing spot.
Exciting Races at PIR
The USA World 50 Race
The most famous race at Paducah International Raceway was the USA World 50. People called it "The World's Richest 50-Lap Race." This special event started way back in 1978. It featured fast and powerful Super Late Model racing cars. Drivers from different racing series, like the MARS Racing Series and the UMP Racing Series, came to compete.
Recent Years at the Track
Track Closures and Reopening
After the 2016 racing season, the track closed down for a while. No races happened during 2017. The track tried to reopen in April 2018. However, it closed again just one month later in May. This caused some problems for fans who had bought tickets for the whole season.
PIR Today
In 2021, new owners bought the Paducah International Raceway. They worked hard to bring racing back. The track officially reopened for events in May 2022. Since then, PIR has been holding races and other exciting events. It continues to be a fun place for motorsports in Kentucky.
