MACON, Ill. (WAND) - The Macon Speedway will be under new ownership in 2023.
It has been under the leadership of Bob Sargent as owner/promoter since 1985, when he took over from original owner Wayne Webb. In 2007, Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart, and Kenny Wallace joined Sargent as speedway co-owners.
The Macon Speedway was built in 1946.
It will now be under the ownership of Chris Kearns, longtime race official, promoter, and race enthusiast. Kearns is known for the Wild West Shootout.
The Wild West Shootout is a six-race event held in January every year. Kearns owns and promotes it for National Late Models, Modifieds, and X Mods.
“Macon Speedway has been my favorite dirt track in the country, ever since I attended my first Herald & Review 100 20+ years ago. Now, owning and promoting Macon Speedway is very surreal for me,” said Kearns.
Kearns also owned the Western Allstars Late Model Series from 2006-2007, promoted the Santa Maria Speedway from 2009-2012, and worked for USAC Racing for 13 years as director of CRA, Western Midgets, and West Coast Sprint Cars.
Recently, Kearns has been involved with Greg Biffle’s Sand Outlaw Series and has race directed Tony Stewart’s SRX Series.
Kearns said, “I am very excited about what we can do at Macon Speedway. Track manager, Adam Mackey, and I have a great game plan to do improvements to the facility and bring some marquee events to the track, while keeping the regular Saturday night program and classes in place. We really want this to be the dirt track that everyone wants to attend.”
Sargent said, “I feel very fortunate to have the support I’ve had for so many years at this track, right in my hometown. From my father, who greatly enjoyed helping with construction projects, giving advice, and helping in operations to my friends and longtime officials, and sponsors who helped put it all together to give our many talented drivers a place to race.”
Sargent will still be working in the race promotions business, continuing as a promoter at Lincoln Speedway in Lincoln, IL and Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, TN. Sargent also continues as President of Track Enterprises.
“Macon Speedway has given me a great learning experience and the opportunity to expand and build a large company with Track Enterprises. We are now around 80 events in 14 states and growing,” said Sargent.
The 78th season of Macon Speedway racing is set to begin with the season opener on Saturday, April 8, 2023.
A special meet the new owner/driver meeting will be held on Sunday, December 11 at the Macon Community Center, located at 1039 S Woodcock Rd in Macon, IL. Doors will open at 1:30 that day with the meeting at 2:00.
For continued updates and details on the new season of racing, maconracing.com as well as Macon Speedway’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitter will be the places to go.
Copyright 2022 WAND TV. All rights reserved.
