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.
-
-
Judge will hear Epstein survivors' case after DOJ published their names
Lawyers for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein say more than 100 women had their names made public when the Department of Justice released more than 3.5 million pages of documents Friday.
Minnesota prosecutor presses DOJ for all federal evidence in Renee Good's death
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is not backing down in her search for answers about the shooting death of Renee Good by federal immigration officers last month.
UK opens investigation into Peter Mandelson over alleged leaks to Epstein
British police on Tuesday opened an investigation into politician Peter Mandelson over alleged misconduct in public office related to his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Renee Good's brothers speak with Congressional panel about her death
The brothers of Renee Good, the American woman shot and killed by ice in Minneapolis, Minnesota, spoke to lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday.
Democrats preach affordability, Republicans question new Virginia tax proposals
Virginia Democrats say they're delivering on promises to make life more affordable for residents, but Republicans argue the opposite is happening as they point to numerous new tax proposals.
'Aloka the Peace Dog' honored in Virginia as he joins monks on Walk for Peace
Aloka the Peace Dog, who is joining the group of Buddhist monks on their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace, has been honored across Central Virginia as the monks make their way to Washington, D.C.
-
