"Second-oldest continually operating track in America — Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway has been racing since 1904, and in 2026 the CARS Tour rolls in for the first time."
Location: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Nashville, Tennessee Track Type: Paved short oval Length: 0.596 miles Surface: Asphalt Banking: 18° (turns) / 3° (straights) Opened: 1958 (current configuration) First NASCAR Race: August 10, 1958
Overview
Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is a 0.596-mile paved oval set on the grounds of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, just south of downtown Nashville. The second-oldest continually operating racing facility in the United States, the track has hosted motorsports in some form since 1904 — when the site ran horseless carriage and motorcycle races on a 1⅛-mile dirt oval. The modern paved speedway opened in 1958 and quickly became one of the South's most competitive short ovals, hosting 42 NASCAR Cup Series events between 1958 and 1984.
Today the track remains an active regional venue anchored by the All American 400, one of the most prestigious Super Late Model events in the country. And on April 11, 2026, it steps into new territory: hosting its first-ever CARS Tour event.
History
Racing at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds dates to June 11, 1904. The modern paved speedway opened in 1958, and on August 10 of that year a capacity crowd of 13,998 fans watched Joe Weatherly win the inaugural NASCAR race.
The track became a NASCAR fixture through the 1960s and 1970s, with two drivers rising above all others. Richard Petty won nine Cup events here. Darrell Waltrip — a Tennessee native racing on home soil — added eight victories of his own. Together they accounted for 17 of the track's 42 Cup wins and made Nashville one of the circuit's marquee short-track stops.
In 1969 and 1970, the track was lengthened to its current 0.596-mile configuration. In 1972, the corner banking was regraded from 35 degrees to 18 degrees, giving the track its modern character: fast, technically demanding, and a premium on smooth entry and precise car setup. The final Cup race ran in 1984, won by Geoff Bodine driving for All Star Racing — the early incarnation of what would become Hendrick Motorsports.
Since departing the Cup schedule, Nashville Fairgrounds has remained a vibrant regional hub. The All American 400 — a 400-lap Super Late Model feature — has run every fall since 1981, drawing top talent from across the Southeast and cementing the track's reputation as a bucket-list destination for short-track fans.
Key Drivers
Richard Petty (9 Cup wins) and Darrell Waltrip (8 Cup wins) defined the Cup era at Nashville. Joe Weatherly opened the book with the first win in 1958. Geoff Bodine closed the Cup chapter in 1984 in a win that helped launch the Hendrick Motorsports dynasty.
In 2026, Dale Earnhardt Jr. — CARS Tour co-owner — is entered in the No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet for the inaugural CARS Tour event at Nashville, bringing national attention to the weekend. Tate Fogleman, Caden Kvapil, Landen Lewis, and Conner Jones are among the LMSC regulars entered for the Tootsie's Music City Showdown.
2026 CARS Tour: Tootsie's Music City Showdown
Nashville Fairgrounds hosts its first-ever CARS Tour race on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The Tootsie's Music City Showdown features both the Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) and Pro Late Model (PLM) divisions in a doubleheader format. The 31-car LMSC entry list includes many of the series' top regulars alongside CARS Tour co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 8 — his presence in the field drew immediate national media attention and sold out the event's premium seating.
The race marks a new chapter for one of America's oldest tracks and a significant milestone in the CARS Tour's ongoing push toward national visibility.