We last reported on Blue Valor Speedway in 2021, when its Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour events were canceled. The track has since changed direction, seeking to open in 2023 as a paved track instead of a dirt oval.
(See “Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Cancels Blue Valor Dates”.)
“Managing a dirt track is a lot more work than managing an asphalt track,” said the speedway’s Chris Lowden, who owns Stoney’s Road House, which is also on the property. “Track prep time and equipment for a dirt track became the deciding factor to go with pavement.”
Lowden and track owner John Wood both have a wealth of experience in pavement oval-track racing. In fact, Lowden will race the ARCA Menards Series West’s finale at Phoenix Raceway this weekend.
“As racers, our goal is to make a facility that is racer-friendly,” Lowden said. “We will have a smooth, paved track, with multiple grooves.”
Wood and Lowden consulted with other track promoters to help design the track. Among those included Kenny Shepherd, of Madera Speedway in California. They also look to work with other pavement ovals in the Northwest and West.
“Our track is not meant to be a weekly track,” said Lowden. “It will be a big event venue for pro and super late models. We’re hoping for an ARCA West date next year.”
Construction teams will install concrete walls and K-rail this week. Asphalt paving of the track surface will soon follow.
Amenities-wise, Blue Valor Speedway features a sheltered pit area as well as 120 plug-in RV spaces and dry camping sites for 200 to 300 campers. Stoney’s Road House looks to provide entertainment during the race weekends.
“The concept is to come play — race, eat, drink, and do cool stuff, like attend Stoney’s for a show,” Lowden said. “We’ll be ready to go in 2023. The track will be finished this month, and will have a seating capacity of 5,000. Stoney’s is already in full operation, and we had 5,200 people here for a Jelly Roll concert a couple of weeks ago.”
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.
