Meridian Speedway (Idaho)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2020) |
| Location | 335 South Main Street, Meridian, Idaho, 83642 |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC−7 / −6 (DST) |
| Opened | 1951 |
| Oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.25 miles (0.4 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | Turns: __° Straights: __° |
Meridian Speedway is a motorsport race track in Meridian, Idaho, United States. The quarter mile in length track mostly hosts late model racing, modified racing, and other local-level racing events throughout the year. The biggest event it has hosted is the ARCA Menards Series West (formerly the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), which held races at the track from 2015 to 2019 as well as 1972.
The track is notable for being the track that Hailie Deegan won her first NASCAR race at to become only the second female to win a NASCAR race. She won the 2018 West Series race here.
History
![[icon]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg/40px-Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg.png){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2020) |
Meridian Speedway opened in 1951.[1] The track is paved with asphalt. Due to its small size, the infield is empty (only a patch of grass) and pit road is located outside the track behind the backstretch. The entrance to pit road is located in turn 2, with the exit back onto the track in turn 3. Right outside of the track is the town's yellow water tower, and a replica of it is on the track's winner's trophies.
In 2020, Meridian Speedway temporarily closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Racing resumed in May with no fans, and as a result, the track started a partnership with SpeedCast.tv to broadcast its races on a pay-per-view basis, with it ranging from $19.99 to $39.99 to watch a race.[2]
NASCAR
Meridian Speedway hosted the NAPA Auto Parts Idaho 208, a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race, from 2015 to 2019. The race was also on the original schedule for the 2020 season of the rebranded ARCA Menards Series West,[3] but due to COVID-19, was later postponed from its August 29 date and eventually cancelled and replaced with a second race for the series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring.[4] Meridian Speedway was permanently removed from the West Series schedule in 2021.
References
- ^ "Meridian Speedway". NASCAR.com Home Tracks. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Roberts, Rachel (May 14, 2020). "No fans in the stands, but racing will go on at Meridian Speedway. Here's how". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Krall, Charles (January 6, 2020). "ARCA Menards Series West 2020 Schedule Announced". ARCARacing.com. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ "ARCA Menards Series Revises Schedule Through End of August". ARCARacing.com. July 14, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
External links
- Official website
- Meridian Speedway race results at Racing-Reference