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GEORGETOWN, DE – A storied history and now a bright future.
Georgetown Speedway, which hosted its first stock car race on March 18, 1950, will maintain a legacy of auto racing well into the future. An investment group including Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC completed the purchase of the facility shortly before the New Year.
The agreement solidifies the future of the Sussex County property for auto racing.
“This is an exciting announcement for motorsports in the state of Delaware,” Deyo said. “Our group of investors has the best interests of the speedway in mind and continuing the legacy of Georgetown Speedway long-term.”
Since 2016, BD Motorsports Media LLC has operated Georgetown Speedway via a lease agreement with prior property owners SeaCoast Investments LLC.
The purchase opens a long list of opportunities for the facility and events.
“We have done our best since 2016 to keep the gates of Georgetown Speedway open,” Deyo said. “Improvements have been confined to the limitations of our lease agreement.
“The purchase will allow us to seriously evaluate the needs of the facility and make upgrades for the future.”
In an era of speedways closing and large properties being transitioned to commercial and residential sites, Georgetown Speedway is an anomaly.
“The racing community in Delaware is very fortunate,” Deyo said. “Thanks to the investors, racing at Georgetown Speedway is here to stay.”
BD Motorsports Media LLC will continue to operate the speedway for stock car racing and other events.
Georgetown Speedway was constructed by Delaware auto racing and business icon Melvin L. Joseph in 1949 with the first race one year later in 1950.
In 2018, the Delaware Public Archives placed a Historic Marker at the entrance to the speedway citing its longevity. The marker reads: “Built in 1949 by businessman and auto racing pioneer Melvin L. Joseph, many racing legends got their start at Georgetown’s half mile dirt oval. The Delaware Stock Car Racing Association sanctioned the first race at the speedway on March 18, 1950. The speedway was NASCAR sanctioned from 1953-1957 and from 1959-1963. Over the years, the Georgetown Speedway has become well-known across the country for its role in the development of stock car racing.”
Georgetown Speedway will participate in the Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. Motorsports Racecar & Trade Show in Oaks, Pa., this Friday and Saturday (Jan. 21 & 22).
The first on-track activity is planned for Saturday, March 5 (rain date: March 6) with an Open Practice.
The ’22 Season Opener is one for the history books, offering the largest purse in Delaware dirt-track history. The Melvin L. Joseph Memorial weekend is set for Thurs.-Sat. March 10-12 headlined by the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco in a $25,000-to-win, $1,000 for 16th, $500 to start Halmar International ‘Elite’ Series event featuring a total purse structure of $80,000.
A complete 2022 schedule has been posted on the speedway website at the following link: http://www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com/?page_id=2596
Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1949, is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Speedway Road in Georgetown, Del., just miles from the Delaware beaches and less than a 40-minute drive from Ocean City, Md.
A website is live for the speedway at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com. Like Georgetown Speedway on Facebook, follow @thegtownspdwy on Twitter, e-mail georgetownspeedway@gmail.com or contact the speedway hotline at 302.563.GTWN (4896).
