Evelyn “Rooster” Miller has announced she will not return to operate Windy Hollow Speedway in 2022.
In March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller started remodeling the 50-year-old speedway. The 2020 season started in August due to the closure of fan-based events.
As Kentucky started allowing fans to attend automobile racing, Miller and crew got the facility open, not knowing if it would be for only one week or more. With no further shutdowns, racers and fans were able to see a 12-week 50th anniversary season.
“2020 was certainly a unique year,” she said. “We were able to get the renovations completed and ready to open just in time for the governor to allow outdoor auto racing. I was able to celebrate the 50th anniversary, which was wonderful for my family and me. I know that my parents would have been so proud.”
With the pandemic, Miller said she had no idea how much or how long it would affect business so she decided last year that she would stay for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
“As we start thinking about wrapping up (this) season, I am excited that it is leased but will certainly miss my racing family,” she said.
In the fall of 2019, Josh and Kirstie Vanover reached out to Miller about taking on the lease of the speedway.
“I didn’t know the work that needed to be done at that time,” she said. “So when I decided to take on the task, Josh and Kirstie were among the first to come help. He lives for racing.”
The Vanovers, who own JKV Core and Auto Recycling, will lease the speedway with a 5-year deal beginning Nov. 1.
“They have done a fantastic job learning the tricky dirt and making a great racing surface,” Miller said. “His hard work this year will pay off for him next year as racers now expect things to be great. I am very excited to have them at the track. They have a lot of thoughts and ideas that both the racers and fans will love.”
Their rules and other season information should be available by December 2021.
Miller said, “We are excited to lease the track to Josh and Kirstie. Josh has a passion for racing and a love for Windy Hollow Speedway. He knows how special the track is to so many. He has worked hard and learned a lot this season. I know they are ready to do good things for the racers and fans.”
There will be no change for the remaining 2021 races, including the two-day Monster Truck event on Oct. 8-9. The season will conclude on Oct. 17.
Miller said she will continue to focus on her other businesses, Windy Hollow Restaurant and Windy Hollow Dragway.
The Speedway’s 51st anniversary falls on Sept. 26 this year, which Miller said is her father Hal Miller’s and his twin Tom’s birthday. Hal built the speedway at Windy Hollow and opened it in spring 1970, and Tom built the campground and restaurant.
Miller said while she will miss her racing family, she will be plenty busy as she continues to run the Windy Hollow Restaurant and Dragway.
