HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Growing up right across the street from Richmond International Raceway, Reggie Johnson would always get a jolt of excitement when NASCAR's spring and fall races would come to town.
"I have very fond memories watching the people come, watching the trailers come in, going, 'Hey there's my favorite driver!'" Johnson said.
When CBS 6 broke the news to Johnson Wednesday afternoon, he was shocked.
"It's always been two races a year. I never thought the day would come when they take one away," he said.
He said over the years, residents would often complain about traffic concerns from thousands of fans coming in for race weekend.
IN-DEPTH: What Richmond loss of NASCAR race weekend means for community
Other residents, like Mary Wood, would open up their yards or parking lots to charge for parking.
"Before COVID-19, I used to park, fill my yard up, and there would be people who would camp out in the backyard, and that kind of stuff," Wood said. "One thing I've noticed is that the crowd has diminished quite a bit."
Wood and Johnson said over the past few years, they've seen fewer and fewer visitors coming to the raceway.
"I'm sure a lot of business owners are like, 'Oh, no,'" Wood said.
CBS 6 spoke with Harry Sharma, who manages Race Track Market.
"That day we do a lot of business," Sharma said about each race.
With the loss of one race, Sharma said it could have a major impact.
"We lose $5,000 to $10,000," he said. "They should do more. The reducing, it's bad."
Johnson said he understands the move, though he worries about the economic impact it could have on Henrico County and Richmond.
“I can understand it once a year, if they’re trying to expand, go international. There are international drivers in NASCAR now, so why not? You have to go with the punches."
CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
-
-
Driver critically injured after minivan crosses median, rolls multiple times
Sgt. Michelle Anaya with Virginia State Police said the single-vehicle crash happened around 11:25 a.m. along northbound Route 17 at Canoe House Road.
'Absolute hell hole': Private prisons set to house ICE detainees bring problems
The Trump administration is planning to use more for-profit prisons to house ICE detainees — raising concerns about some well-documented problems with private detention centers.
Trump administration withholds billions for after-school and summer programs
The Trump administration is withholding more than $6 billion in federal grants for after-school and summer programs, English language instruction, adult literacy and more.
Deaths from uterine cancer projected to rise sharply over next two decades
Uterine cancer rates in the United States are expected to climb significantly over the next 25 years, with Black women projected to face the highest burden, according to a new study.
Bryan Kohberger admits to murders of 4 University of Idaho students in plea deal
Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of murder after reaching a plea deal in the highly publicized case involving the killings of four University of Idaho students.
7 missing after explosion at California fireworks warehouse
Authorities say an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California has caused several fires, sending black smoke into the air and forcing evacuations.
-
