Georgetown Speedway

There’s no mistaking race day’s arrival if you live in Georgetown. Anyone within a 3 1/2 mile radius of the Georgetown Speedway recognizes it by the roar of stock car engines as drivers speed around the track, vying for a coveted first place trophy. To the untrained ear, it may first sound like nothing more than a ruckus — the kind that rumbles through a quiet small-town night — announcing its intentions to deliver an evening of fun, fast-paced competition at high volumes. But, if you listen closely, you might hear it for what it really is: the heartbeat of a sport within its community, 75 years in the making and still going strong. 

“You know, in this area especially, some people love to spend their weekends hanging out on their boats. Others may love that too, but also love playing in the clay on Fridays and Saturdays. What we enjoy is racing,” Georgetown Speedway’s General Manager Chad Cathell says. 

Ground broke on the speedway in 1949, with the track hosting its first race the following year. Originally built and owned by local businessman and racing enthusiast Melvin Joseph, Cathell says it quickly became home to one of the town’s favorite sports of the time, when many of the hobbies we occupy ourselves with today didn’t even exist. What’s more is that it was accessible, regardless of your budget, a fact that still appeals to many fans and competitors today. On any given night, attendees have the opportunity to see different types of race cars, better known as classes, take to the course. Whether it’s an entry-level model a driver has built himself, or a super late model car costing upward of $100,000, what matters most isn’t the kind of car making laps around the track, but the love competitors and viewers share for the race. 

“What I love most about stock car racing is the passion,” Cathell says. “Whether it’s the guy who works 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, builds his own parts, then shows up and wins, or it’s the family of four who are always here in the grandstands. It’s just the passion that the fans and drivers have for the sport that keeps me energized and wanting to do better and do more.”

In 2021, under the new ownership of Jim Parker and Ken Adams (Melvin Joseph’s grandson), renovations began that have since enhanced the experience of drivers and fans alike. Over the last few years, a wide range of additions have been made to improve the quality of the speedway and the racing itself. From the construction of a new hot pit area and front straight away wall, to the installment of newly sponsored features such as the Shoreline Electrical scoring tower or the Besche Furniture “Best Seat in the House” stadium seating section, Cathell says all the changes have only reinforced the foundation of innovation that the speedway was initially built on. 

“Melvin loved Fords, and he loved making things go fast. That was his fun, and Ken has the same drive for that,” Cathell says. “He also loves racing and just wants to carry that legacy on.”

While Georgetown has transformed in the decades since the speedway was initially built, the pride of seeing a full house on race nights is not lost on Cathell, especially as the track celebrates its 75th anniversary. At a time when it might be easy to forget the importance of a local landmark amongst an onslaught of attractions, Cathell believes the speedway’s staying power lies in its audience’s love for the sport.

“It’s very iconic. To be here this long is a testament to all the people who carried it along throughout the years,” Cathell says. “For people to keep coming back here week in and week out, spending their money with us and enjoying their time, speaks volumes to the program we deliver and what we offer.”