Stormin’ Norman Jr. recently purchased Rockcastle Speedway. He’s so excited that he’s sold his helicopter to invest in improvements to Kentucky dirt oval.
“It’s always been my dream to own a racetrack, from way back when I watched Dad at 201 Speedway,” Norman, who’s actual name is Matthew, said. “People told me I was crazy for buying a racetrack, but I’m the type of guy who just has to find out for myself if that is true.”
The longtime racer and successful business owner bought the track from Dwayne Harris. Most recently, Norman competed in the Crown Vics. Now he’ll hang up the helmet and he and his wife, Tessa, will manage the facility. Norman has already generated a to-do list for the track.
First on his list? New clay.
“We ordered 100 truckloads of red clay, not found near or at the racetrack,” Norman said. “It’s top-quality clay from Somerset.”
Second, he wants to cover the grandstands.
“It is so hot here in the summer — the fans are baking in the stands,” Norman said. “Brownstown Speedway has a covered grandstand — and it works out well for their fans. If we have a rain delay, the fans will stay dry and stay for the end of the race after we work the track back in.”
The covered grandstands also provide the perfect spot to install big-screen TVs featuring a live broadcast of the races.
“The TVs will be mounted under the roof of the grandstand,” Norman said. “Our team will interview drivers when they return to the pits, sharing their takes on what happened in the race and getting their feedback. If they are ‘madder and cutting a shine,’ it will be even better. Fans love the drama — it’s part of racing.”
Speaking of announcers, there’s a new PA system on the list, too.
“The announcing will be heard everywhere,” Norman said. “In the stands, in the concession area, in the pits.”
And, Norman wants to create a new victory lane.
“We will raise the victory lane with a platform,” Norman said. “And we’ll put it behind the grandstands so families and fans can be involved in celebrating the race winner. After each feature race, the car will come up behind grandstands — up close and personal. We want it to be special.”
This season, Rockcastle Speedway will run several classes weekly, and feature visits from touring series. Currently scheduled, the Cumberland Plateau Open Wheel Series, American All-Star Series, KDRA Super Stock Series and Slingin’ Dirt Super Late Model Series. Norman said he’ll keep making improvements, including having an access road with less grade, in order to attract national series next year.
“We’ll be trying for a Lucas [Oil Late Model Dirt Series] show in 2027,” Norman said. “Along with the beauty of our setting, the amenities we will be adding and access road improvements, we are very hopeful.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
