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.
-
-
Trump heads to Mississippi as more red states enter the midterm conversation
The final week of midterm campaigning is here. Trump heads to Mississippi as more red states enter the conversation and the DOJ sues over Alaska's Senate race. Here's the latest.
Police arrest 15-year-old after 11 shot near Florida A&M University stadium
A 15-year-old was arrested and faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent in connection with a mass shooting that left 11 people wounded.
Lula is declared winner of Brazil's election as Bolsonaro rejects results
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, was reelected Sunday in a result that provides relief to critics of widening U.S. influence in Latin America.
Warm week ahead and staying dry
The dry stretch continues through Halloween with only a slight chance of light rain arriving Monday. Daytime highs will remain unseasonably warm with temps in the 60s & 70s.
Woman's belongings ruined after storage unit leak. Who pays?
Many people rent a storage unit, thinking that the storage center's insurance would protect them in the event of a flood, fire, or mice. But one woman discovered too late that's not the case.
Spanberger withholds comment on Lucas charges, criticizes DOJ timing
Gov. Spanberger is withholding comment on the Sen. Louise Lucas indictment but said the timing of the charges erodes trust in the DOJ.
-
