West Virginia Motor Speedway Rebirth After 8 Years Dormant

[@S1apShoes]

Incredible drone work!

[@akrondroneservices]

Thank you! Check out some of our other videos on this channel. Also, you might enjoy the videos we produced for Cale Conley here: www.youtube.com/@caleconleyracing The 360 videos are pretty interesting to view especially using the KZbin app on your phone.

[@silentwhisperstudios7808]

Good to see a track come back to life. 🙂

[@DaveVsEvilDead]

This comment didnt age well lol

[@TyTEI]

Great to see a track that had one foot in the grave getting a second chance!

[@bigbadredsox]

Makes me happy to see and abandoned track brought back to life. A big bravo to those getting it down.

[@dcracing]

That terraced hillside is amazing !

[@stevegabbert9626]

All of the tracks in Australia have that in one form or another. A lot of people like that, but I'm lazy and don't want to carry a chair in from the parking lot. Might get there some year.

[@davidg.9446]

It gives a new meaning to the term "Cheap seats".

[@jockellis]

Isn’t it beautiful?

[@akrondroneservices]

@@davidg.9446 It is a nice alternative to the grand stands. If you prefer a typical bench grand stand seat there are plenty of those on the other side of the track too!

[@StaYUTI420]

I wish this was more common. Really nice option to have.

[@jamesedwardfrancisbooth1129]

Nothing beats dirty old fashion dirt racing. Love seeing you come back to life. Good luck in 2023. Love from Jimmy and Ed at E&D specialty stands.

[@buckeyefangirl1976]

Love to see these old tracks revived. Thanks for sharing.

[@akrondroneservices]

You are welcome! Hope you can get down there this year and check it out in person!

[@brentritchie6199]

It looks fantastic now I hope you get plenty of spectators ongoing

[@akrondroneservices]

They’ve really done a great job with the track! From where they started to where they are today very impressive!

[@justonsullivan3807]

There needs to be alot of old racetrack's brought back to life across the states. But good to see it happening. 👍🇺🇲🗽🇺🇲👍

[@t.sewell1513]

With so many tracks going away these days it’s nice to see some coming back.

[@akrondroneservices]

Sure is! Crazy how many have been announced as closing recently :(

[@Heavywall70]

If that the track next to I-77 that I remember that’s absolutely awesome.

[@akrondroneservices]

Yep that's it! Hope you get to stop in and catch a race this season.

[@patcunningham7103]

...we attended the 2 day 410 sprint show...prelin on 1st nite A Macri won...the final next day was won by our friend Tim Shaffer...

[@akrondroneservices]

We were there too! Thanks for watching.

[@jamesburroughs4709]

What a cool place in general. Cinderella story for sure. Nice to see tracks come back to life when some many just wither away. Great Video.

[@akrondroneservices]

Thank you James for the compliment on the video! Was a fun project and seeing it come back to life in person was really cool.

[@supercuda1950]

Good to see the rebirth of a dirt track!

[@akrondroneservices]

It really is! Seems like every week another track is announced sold and we lose another. 😥

[@cupwalker24.7]

Sweet . Keep the tracks Alive for us 💪

[@akrondroneservices]

It's a great venue! If you get the chance take a race in there.

[@cupwalker24.7]

@@akrondroneservices I will try and do just that . And spread the word 🙏❤️

[@markg.4246]

All the best to WVMS!

[@scottbunn2237]

I was there in the late 80's for an AMA race, got to talk to Dave Despain.

[@akrondroneservices]

Would love to see a flat track race there sometime!

[@johnkerr330]

Great track i was there for race years ago shame place never made it and its for sale again

[@akrondroneservices]

Saw several races there. Was plagued by bad weather for one. What a beautiful facility and setting!

[@raymondaldrich1989]

That is absolutely fantastic and to see the interest of dirt racing coming back from being dormant is Amazing. I don't live in that area but have grew up in my area with dirt track. Nothing like it. Once you are exposed its in your blood. Grow up with drivers there sons and daughters Nothing like it. Great for the people there . I will someday make a trip there be on the list for sure.

[@akrondroneservices]

Thanks Raymond, maybe we will run into you at WVMS sometime!

[@48nation96]

I know it's a little bit late but it's awesome seeing my home track open again

[@dennisb-trains23]

Oh the hill side seating is going to be awesome! What a transformation 👏 Like abandoned railroads, its good to see an abandoned race track come back to life again.. 😃👍🍺

[@akrondroneservices]

It’s a great venue! Hope you can take in a race this season.

[@NickD815]

I wish The SRX series would race here one day

[@RedroomStudios]

this is such a great track - glad to see it being resurrected!

[@jimmyjolly4184]

Glad to see any racetrack get a rebirth . I've never been to WVMS , but we plan to make our 1st trip up there from SC for the Lucas oil race in June

[@akrondroneservices]

It was sure cool to get to record the progress of the rebirth! You will enjoy the track and environment there at WVMS!

[@williametanner412]

AFT ran here July 1st. It was badass!!!

[@akrondroneservices]

Would be great to see them back. Always wanted to see a dirt flat track race but had to miss this one:(

[@williametanner412]

@@akrondroneservices I follow the series all around the nation and have been an ardent fan for many decades. Yes, it would be fantastic to keep AFT on the schedule!

[@JohnDoe-xl1ig]

I wish WV had legit nice1/4 mile drag track in heart of WV. People in WV love hot rods and racing but its slowly been dying out over recent years.

[@ncjay08]

Stopped by this track to take a look way back in 2002. Big, fast, high banked track. Great that it's made a comeback.

[@codypatterson7718]

Awsome too see I love how they kept the grass on the grand stands

[@manga12]

now maybe one da manzinitta and rolling wheels will come back to life.

[@mollycaz1]

Great to see a old track come back to life

[@jasonjgr8580]

That's cool to see a race track come back from the dead.

[@balambable]

So many memories at that track growing up!

[@bigeddie1231]

awesome to see a old track make a come back

[@droberts1664]

Thats a nice track

[@akrondroneservices]

It is nice a big at about 5/8. If you get a chance check it out this season!

[@88crazydriver]

I went to their first race last year and I'm happy I went to support a track that was closed. I didn't even know that till I got to that track

[@akrondroneservices]

We were there too! It was a great event. Looking forward to this season.

[@benallen2196]

I drive by that track at least 2-3 times a year going to visit my grandparents. It always made me sad to see it and I was so happy when it finally was able to reopen. I hope I can finally go to race there this year 🙏

[@akrondroneservices]

Hope you can make it out there this year. It’s a great venue and they have some really good races on the schedule!

[@ptkb7774]

Love to see this, just hope they modernize the entrance / exit to the track. Having an open edge on the entry to 1 is bad news waiting to happen. We've seen multiple times racently where guys get turned up into the outside wall, imagine if they hit the tip of the exit chute here.. Gotta change it.

[@winglessprint]

Fantastic venue, We saw the WOO there in the 90's

[@andosrailway2369]

Love this, wish Australian oval tracks has the same treatment

[@johnturner1073]

It is a tragedy when you think that all the citadels are long gone...Claremont, Rowley Park, THE Sydney Showground all long demolished and the Ekka never to stage bikes or car racing ever again. The good times were long ago and today's generation have no idea what they missed.

[@OddballHillbilly419]

Looks beautiful guys. I'd concrete the pit areas. Yes I know it's costly but beats them being a soup bowl. Especially when everyone seems to have a stacker trailer.

[@Brooks22n]

GREAT to see WVMS Brought Back To Life , Would Love to get back down there for a BigDLM Race

[@TWTexasA1]

What a great thing to watch happen, plus it looks to be an awesome track…there’s gonna be some happy racers and race fans to experience this 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ppkaci]

anything making a comeback in west virginia is good news!

[@davidhill537]

Great job restoring this track!!! Awesome car and mc dirt track!! 👍🏁

[@akrondroneservices]

Would love to see some flat track, if you call it flat track racing on a track with some banking.

[@kinocorner976]

It’s time we go back to our roots.

[@kevinmccorkle7476]

Nice job! Buy 311 Speedway in NC. Great track, that has been run into ruin.

[@stanleyshults6427]

Grt track I guess it's opening bk up

[@akrondroneservices]

Yes it is! Here is a link to their website. I believe I read there are more dates being announced soon for the 2023 season. www.wvmotorspeedway.com/

[@harryfatcat]

Very nice. Interesting that it was shortened at some point.

[@brandonreeves5979]

I’m glad to see that track finally got some rebirth. I was sad too see it sit dormant for all those years.

[@akrondroneservices]

Agree Brandon! It was sad to drive by and see it sitting. Great that it is reopened! Hope you get to go see some races there this year.

[@brandonreeves5979]

@@akrondroneservices right on! Hopefully so.

[@jimmyjolly4184]

We are coming from SC for the Lucas Oil Late-model race in June , will be our 1st trip there

[@akrondroneservices]

@@jimmyjolly4184 You'll have a great time!

[@charlesritchey5561]

Looks great. HUGE for a dirt track though atleast by the look of it

[@gailtaylor1636]

5/8 mile. Too big

[@akrondroneservices]

Saw some great races there last season!

[@kenbowser5622]

I pulled off the interstate onto the shoulder there and watched a few late model races one nite. Been a long time ago. Maybe 15 years. Big and fast track. Glad it's back, the world's number one sport is? No. It's dirt track racing.

[@unclelarry9138]

Too bad they didn't do Pennsboro like that. Nobody wants to watch 1/4 mile racing. This track looks great.

[@Rough_justice]

Sick

[@williamcap2236]

Dam there is nothing like dirt racing !

[@akrondroneservices]

You might like Cale Conley's channel here: kzbin.info/door/EAa_XZvy4KrFmNP-ls_Sww We did all the video for him too.

[@JT-SE-OHIO]

Glad to see any dirt track brought back from mother nature's take over. I remember years ago this track had sprinklers in the walls that watered the track. Never seen that at any other track that I had been to. A lot of engines were blown up here because of the wrong gearing. What was the correct gear for here, a 4.11 or 4.88 ? Been too long ago, I forget.

[@akrondroneservices]

I think there is a picture or 2 on the WVMS facebook page of the sprinklers! Never saw those but is a great idea. Have not seen any engine problems at the races last season. Maybe the years since the track was open has seen more bullet proof engines. No idea on the gear ratios! Thanks for the comments!

[@dantharin5697]

Yes yes yes.. Bring back a track that helps the local economy.. Looks bad fast. Have fun..

[@wesleyd6080]

The concrete kid Anthony Macri is bad fast at that joint

[@akrondroneservices]

@@wesleyd6080 Yes he was!

[@NS_4269]

Awesome

[@akrondroneservices]

Thanks!

[@farqueue]

I would love to attend and event here! From AU

[@akrondroneservices]

We would love to have you come visit! Hope you get the chance sometime.

[@noelwarner1235]

That is awesome I was there twice in the 80s to see am a camel Pro flat track motorcycle racing

[@finscreenname]

Nice!!

[@akrondroneservices]

Thanks!

[@mm93mustwin13]

Looks good

[@dh2360]

Nice!

[@gailtaylor1636]

Did they ever get the land dispute resolved? The road into the property was on someone else's land. That's a large part of why it's been closed. Plus that access road was pretty narrow for modern stacker trailers. IMO should have left it 3/8 mile. The 5/8 deal is an engine killer. Was back when it was first opened. Bet still is an issue

[@akrondroneservices]

Don't know about any land dispute but there are 2 ways to enter the track. The underpass under I-77 has been completely rebuilt and haulers need to go through that route to enter the track. The track is big and beautiful! Have not seen any issues with motors any of the times we were there last season.

[@joebaucom4537]

Yes This Is Great !

[@robwahl6288]

Very cool

[@unrestrictedclimb]

nice vid thanks man

[@akrondroneservices]

You're welcome glad you liked it thanks!

[@timmckinnney2722]

Is this the full sized big track again or the shortened up version?

[@akrondroneservices]

Hi Tim, History... Track started at 5/8 mile. Was shortened to half mile. The rebirth project restored it to the original 5/8 mile. You can see in the video how when we started shooting the video for this project that the old turns 3 & 4 of the track was still visible furthest away from the highway. The shorter turns 3 & $ were removed to restore the original size. You should come out and catch a race there and sit on the terrace!

[@timmckinnney2722]

@@akrondroneservices I’m from Iowa and it’s a long drive! 😂. Made the drive to Pennsboro in 82 for the DTWC and have pledged to get back there one more time health permitting when it reopens. Maybe make a combination trip and catch both tracks in a week swing when they are both up and running again?

[@jonandrews6839]

Very dangerous track with the current configuration of the track crossover guardrails on the front stretch. Angle of the barriers needs to be reversed before a driver gets speared.

[@johnkerr330]

Its a speed plant

[@byrontucker2770]

Used to ride by this track on 77. If only they'd bring the truck stop/cattle auction/Strip club back to life. It'll be 1hell of a night

[@davidkepley9634]

Parkersburg? 30 yr trucker here

[@sleepdeep305]

Someone built a glorified parking lot on top of our home track. Good to see that not every track is falling victim to such fate.

[@DayNNyteDJs]

Wow, that's a big dirt track. Had they shortened it? Looks like there was a "short cut" for turns 3 and 4 that had to be removed. Thanks.

[@akrondroneservices]

Yes it was shortened after the initial build. To bring it back they removed the newer turn 3 & 4 that shortened the track and put it back to the original 5/8 mile configuration.

[@bobhoffman5581]

@@akrondroneservices 5/8ths? Those cars are really "picking them up, and putting them down," compared to a 1/2 mile, I'd think! lol

[@jwchamberlain5862]

Let Cup drivers race on this dirt track.

[@thehistorickid9100]

Were is this at in West Virginia

[@akrondroneservices]

Right off of I-77 on the right side if you are traveling South from Ohio. Exit 170 for Mineral Wells. Here is the track address: 2 Matheny Dr, Mineral Wells, WV 26150

[@thehistorickid9100]

@@akrondroneservices thanks

[@irongoatrocky2343]

Is not Dirt for growing SPUDS?...........

[@akrondroneservices]

🤣 Yep but not this dirt!

[@voodoo7008]

Please iRacing, scan this track.

[@kimifan06]

isn't this track up for sale now?

[@akrondroneservices]

Just saw that. Sad that this has happened. Hopefully someone will buy it and get it going again.

[@watchinglclowns9890]

Is this the pennsboro track home of the first world 100

[@akrondroneservices]

Hi! No I believe Pennsboro Speedway is about 40 minutes west on Rt50 and a then south on I-77. This is West Virginia Motor Speedway near Mineral Wells, WV.

[@kathyevans3783]

Where is this track located?

[@akrondroneservices]

Right off of I-77 on the right side if you are traveling South from Ohio. Exit 170 for Mineral Wells. Here is the track address: 2 Matheny Dr, Mineral Wells, WV 26150

[@thedamienharveygroup7014]

Nice to see a track (any track) come back. Your time-lapse between grass and dirt was a little screwy. Try all grass first then dissolve to all dirt.

[@johncholmes643]

Damn, all that work and it's not asphalt?!?!?! Yall should invest in some ground sterilant or at least round up

[@akrondroneservices]

The team did a great job renovating and restoring the track back to the original size. It was overgrown with 4ft high weeds before they started the project and when finished it was really nice, clean and tidy with completely renovated buildings and surface. Check it out sometime, you might find you'll enjoy a little dirt track racing :)

[@Rantmas]

Save them thanks

[@johnsnow1355]

A lot easier and cheaper when there is no pavement to worry about

[@akrondroneservices]

Probably is but it was still a lot of work! They had to remove turn three and four that was changed several years ago to bring it back to the original 5/8 of a mile configuration.

[@rene3054]

Great to see a track coming back to life! Last year in the UK a track aroud a football stadium is brought back to life as well. In this movie the surface isn't great, but great work is done to it in the meantime kzbin.info/www/bejne/m567nHV5btV6Y7M

[@davefroman4700]

Having seen how high these cars can get airborn I do not think those catch fences are adequate.....just saying.

[@johnturner1073]

All the oval tracks in the UK have either been replaced by housing or are threatened by it...as our population continues to grow out of control due to new arrivals daily...

[@akrondroneservices]

That's a shame John. These tracks are a part of our history. Hope at least a few can remain for you to take your youth to in the future.

[@larryeddings3185]

👍👍

[@andrewrcmadwilkinson6999]

NORTH WILKESBORO

[@akrondroneservices]

Would be great to do one of these there too!

[@mrdaleowen1]

i muted the stupid music.

[@akrondroneservices]

Hi Howard, thanks for checking out the video and feedback. Any suggestions on types of music? I don't use any copyrighted music but only selections from a subscription service so it is not easy to find something that suits everyone's taste.

[@glencrandall7051]

@@akrondroneservices The best music is no music. Why does everything have to have music? Some narration explaining what is going on would be much better.

[@akrondroneservices]

@@glencrandall7051 Thanks for the input. I'll consider trying to get someone to narrate my next progress video. You don't want to listen to my voice, it would be worse to listen to than the music!

[@bobhoffman5581]

@@akrondroneservices Well, at least you're being honest! lol 👍

[@RobertDetert]

Its back closed again already now.

[@akrondroneservices]

Yes, unfortunately the track did not get the support needed to stay open. It is for sale now. Hopefully someone will pick it up and make a go at it and be successful. Such a beautiful venue for racing!

[@neilpuckett359]

Commentary and a brief explanation would be preferable to the mindless music provided

[@akrondroneservices]

Thanks for the input Neil, I'll take that into consideration for the next one.

[@kyles9320]

But it's a timelapse?

[@akrondroneservices]

@@kyles9320 Hi Kyle, not a time lapse but a progression video of the renovations. We flew the same orbit of the track on several different days and edited the clips together to show the passage of time. If you would like to check out a time lapse we did, also in nearby Vienna, it can be found on our channel here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2PSd4mZbK13n6M

[@mikejohns3104]

Expect more of these to show up. The decline of nascar due to the way they treat their fans will fuel it.

[@bobhoffman5581]

"Segment" racing SUCKS! Car and driver used to have to last the whole damn race--could you see the Allison brothers, David Pearson, or Benny Parsons going along with such crap? Smh...

[@geraldwilson3834]

And then just like that... gone again

[@akrondroneservices]

Yes, very sad that the track did not get the support it needed to stay open. It is for sale. Hopefully somebody will buy it and reopen it and we can all go and enjoy another race there someday.

[@georgewilds9940]

Volcano soil

[@TOFKAS01]

Everything with "West Virgina" in it is a broken, ugly mess....

[@akrondroneservices]

I think you will find this West Virginia dirt track is quite different than you expect! Hope you can stop by this season and see for yourself.

[@waltermckinney606]

👍👍👍👍👍