With the demise of Greenville-Pickens Speedway possibly on the horizon, Jackie Manley wants to make at least one more season happen by leasing it from owner Kevin Whitaker. To do so, he said he’ll need to raise $100,000.
Greenville-Pickens Speedway first opened in 1940 as a dirt track. It hosted races for what would become the NASCAR Cup Series from 1955-1971. Track champions include a who’s who of short-track racing in the South. David Pearson. Ralph Earnhardt. Butch Lindley. Robert Pressley.
Reports have the Easley, South Carolina, track under contract with a real estate developer as of earlier this month. However, no sale has gone through, yet.
Manley and his family helped maintain and run the track since the 1960s. He had also raced at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. The Blackwell family, who previously owned the facility and once worked with the Manleys, gave Jackie Manley their endorsement, said Manley.
Manley seeks to open the track on April 15, which isn’t much time considering he has to prepare the facility after its winter slumber.
His plan for a 2023 season includes the All-Pro Limited Late Models, street stocks, renegades, pure stocks, front-wheel-drives, and six-cylinders. Manley looks to also have mini stocks on a limited basis. Additionally, he intends to add Bandoleros, with restrictor plates added for safety, to allow children ages 8 to 11 the opportunity to race at the storied oval.
Manley said he does not intend to turn a profit while running the track. He added that once the track is up and running, all proceeds will go back into the track and to the drivers.
The good news is that Jackie Manley said he’s halfway to his goal of $100,000 to run the 2023 season. However, time’s running out if he wants to make the April 15 date to open the track.
You can donate to the effort through this GoFundMe page.
If Manley fails to raise enough money to save the season, he’ll donate the funds to the Shriners’ Hospitals for Children.
The Outside Groove contributor from North Carolina grew up in the shop of her racer dad. She started racing V8 stock cars at age 13, competing in the renegades and then moving into the pure stocks.
