Historic SC race car track to become an industrial park? Here’s what its latest listing says

The historic Greenville-Pickens Speedway and surrounding 305 acres is listed for sale as an industrial park, according to the RealtyLink webpage.

The asking price is not listed for what is being called Speedway Industrial Park..

Generations of race car drivers, including Richard Petty and others who went on to become NASCAR legends, have raced at the Easley track.

Owner Kevin Whitaker, who also owns Cadillac and GM dealerships in Greenville, could not be reached for comment on the possible sale. The listing agent Stan Tzouvelekas declined to comment.

Fans have been concerned about the track’s future for months, ever since it was announced the most recent promoter was stepping down.

Whitaker apparently has been looking for someone to operate the track that opened in 1940, but time is growing short for this year. The season opens in March.

The ad says a ground lease is available or an industrial facility could be built to suit.

The reaction to the ad has been one of sorrow for one of the Upstate’s signature attractions.

“It’s not looking good. GPS is on life support, and I’m afraid someone is going to pull the plug,” one man on Facebook said.

“This treasure needs to be saved,” another said.

When the track was built, it was a half-mile-long dirt track. After being closed during World War II it reopened with the support of none other than Bill France Sr., who two years later founded NASCAR.

Various Winston Cup races were held there, as were the Grand National Series.

In 1970, the track was paved. Some have said recently the dirt track should be reinstalled.

Whitaker, a longtime sponsor, bought the tract in June 2003.

After Whitaker began leasing to promoters, drivers and fans say it is not the same venue it was when thousands of people packed the stands — variously called 22,000 to 35,000 seats. Races were infrequent and drivers dwindled.

Fans say the venue itself is tired, and drivers need to be compensated better. Some of the thrill of race day needs to be recaptured.

Tasha Porter Kummer, the first woman to win a Late Model race — the prime event — at Greenville Pickens, said in an interview in January she doesn’t think it would cost all that much money to renovate the track — paint, rewiring, new lights.

Her family has been associated with the speedway for 40 years. Her brother races, along with other family members. Kummer said the Upstate and racing would lose a piece of what makes the area and the sport special.

It is the second oldest short track in the country and the place where the first race was aired on national TV, start to finish.

The site is also home to the Upper State Fair, which is described as a bigger money maker than the speedway.

Some believe all is not lost. A white knight may be in the wings waiting to retire the checkered flag. Kummer counts herself in that category.