“If not, Jeff and I might have to put our helmets back on and sort it out on the track again.” This was the line from a banned racer who wanted so badly to bring back Southside Speedway, once a thriving short track in Chesterfield County, Virginia. And now for him, it’s going to return after years of uncertainty.
The 0.33-mile oval, known as The Toughest Short Track in the South, closed its doors in 2019 due to financial struggles and the COVID-19 pandemic. Its future seemed exposed when the county purchased the land in 2021, sparking concerns that the track would be repurposed for commercial or recreational development. NASCAR fans know about this situation very well, look at the state Auto Club Speedway. A track that once reigned supreme in the southern California market is now in a state of limbo.
Fortunately, this won’t be the case with Southside Speedway. A new ownership group has stepped in, with the commitment of breathing a new life into the racetrack. And in a twist, no one saw coming; one of the men leading the charge is the same guy who was banned from the track for life.
“It’s Better Than the Daytona 500”: A Story of Redemption
The revival comes under the leadership of Competitive Racing Investments LLC, a group led by former racer Lin O’Neill and businessman Jeff Oakley. The duo, once fierce rivals on the track, has now joined forces to ensure the speedway’s survival. Their efforts have resulted in a 20-year lease-to-purchase agreement with Chesterfield County, allowing them to revamp the facility and restore racing to the area.
For many, the return of Southside Speedway is a victory for the racing community. But for Lin O’Neill, it’s something even bigger. “I feel like I won the Daytona 500. It’s better than the Daytona 500,” O’Neill said at the announcement of the track’s revival.
“I mean, this is home, you know, and now I get to give it back to all the, you know, between me and Jeff, we get to give it back to all the future racers and the past racers. So, I mean, I’m looking so forward to honoring the history and creating a new future.” For O’Neill, the journey has been deeply personal. In 2013, he was banned for life from the track following a dispute with the previous owner. The ban, which lasted nearly a decade, forced him out of the local racing scene.
“It was a real big misunderstanding between me and the previous owner. Um, it was her track, and I, and you know, I want her to come here, her family to come here, and enjoy it too. But you don’t know what you miss until you don’t have it. And I missed it for 10 years, you know, or what, nine, seven years, you know before anybody else got to miss it like me. So yeah, I definitely wanted this place to come back. It’s a passion for me.” He added.
Lin O’Neill says the emotions of the Southside Speedway’s revival is just like winning the Daytona 500.
: @m_massie22 pic.twitter.com/EB282Z6PP4
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) March 12, 2025
This moment wasn’t just about reopening a track; it was about redemption. O’Neill had once been pushed away from the place he loved. Now he had returned as its savior.
His partnership with Oakley, another well-known figure in Virginia’s racing scene, helped solidify the project’s credibility. Oakley, a successful businessman with strong ties to motorsports, played a key role in securing the lease agreement and facilitating discussions with county officials. Together, they outlined an ambitious plan to upgrade the track, including resurfacing the racing surface, improving grandstands, and enhancing the overall infrastructure.
One of the biggest developments surrounding the track’s comeback is its potential affiliation with NASCAR. While Southside Speedway has long been an independent racing venue, the new ownership group has confirmed its intent to make the track NASCAR-sanctioned. This would open the door for major touring series like the CARS Tour and the SMART Modified Tour to hold races at the venue.
“We’re definitely going to be NASCAR sanctioned. We’re going NASCAR,” O’Neill confirmed. Though an exact timeline for the track’s reopening remains uncertain, O’Neill and Oakley have indicated that competitive racing could return as early as 2026 or 2027. The facility’s revival will take time, with various structural and safety upgrades required before the first green flag can drop.
A Second Chance for Short-Track Racing
The return of Southside Speedway has been met with overwhelming support from local racers, fans, and government officials. Many see the track’s comeback as an opportunity to revitalize the local motorsports scene while boosting economic activity in the region.
Chesterfield County officials, who initially faced criticism for purchasing the property, have expressed optimism about the track’s future. Matoaca District Supervisor Kevin Carroll, who played a key role in facilitating the lease agreement, reassured fans that the county’s intention was always to see racing return.
“When the county bought this land, there were a lot of people who felt it was bought to do away with racing,” Carroll said. Beyond the county’s involvement, the success of Southside Speedway will ultimately depend on the racing community itself. O’Neill has urged fans and racers to support the track by attending events, entering races, and spreading the word about the revival effort.
Richmond Raceway, one of Virginia’s most historic tracks, lost one of its two NASCAR Cup Series dates in 2025 due to the sport’s expanding international presence. The rise of street circuits and road courses has further pushed traditional short tracks to the margins. Against this backdrop, the revival of Southside Speedway represents a rare victory for grassroots racing.
While NASCAR Cup Series events are unlikely to return to Southside Speedway, the track’s revival could pave the way for major late-model and modified races. O’Neill has hinted at the possibility of attracting the CARS Tour, a growing short-track series co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks.
Despite years of uncertainty, Southside Speedway is now on a path toward revival. What was once considered a lost cause has turned into a symbol of resilience, thanks to the dedication of racers and community leaders who refused to let the track fade into history.
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