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.
-
-
Virginia lawmakers push heat safety protections for workers
State representatives are considering legislation to protect Virginia workers from extreme heat as advocates emphasized the urgent need for workplace safety standards.
Mayor of Portland demands ICE leave the city after federal agents gas protesters
The mayor of Portland, Oregon, has demanded that ICE leave his city after federal agents launched tear gas at demonstrators — including young children — outside an ICE facility during a protest.
'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother possibly abducted, authorities say
Authorities in Arizona are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing vulnerable adult who has now been identified as the mother of Savannah Guthrie, a co-anchor of NBC’s Today Show.
Measles cases prompt lockdown at ICE facility in Texas
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Texas is on lockdown in an effort to stop the spread of measles.
Government shutdown drags on as debate over immigration enforcement intensifies
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are facing a contentious few days as they work to pass a funding bill and avoid a prolonged partial government shutdown.
Gaza's border crossing to Egypt reopens but few Palestinians can cross
Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened on Monday for limited traffic, a key step in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
-
