Windy Hollow Speedway is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and even during a pandemic the community is coming together to make the 2020 season special.
Evelyn Miller, owner of the speedway, said she is excited to be working toward opening again this season for the big anniversary.
“I have memories of our first year and am happy to be leading a great team for the 50th,” she said.
Last year, the former lessee’s were going to remodel the facility for the 50th anniversary season. When they decided not to renew their lease, Miller put out a call to action on Facebook early in March for some help to clean up the grandstands and the track.
Miller said the entire grandstands are being updated and all boards replaced.
“There is a tremendous amount of work on the track to get it ready to race,” she said.
Miller said the response to a video talking about the upcoming season was overwhelming.
“I knew that there were a lot of folks looking forward to the year but I didn’t realize how many,” she said. “We have asked for volunteers, and they have helped. The first volunteer day, about 20 people signed in to work on bleachers, electric and general cleanup. There is still a lot of work to be done but I am starting to see some progress.”
While no opening date is set, Miller said they expect to have a great season.
The track was built in 1970 by her father, Hal, and she became owner in 1988 when she took over the dragstrip and then the speedway in 1989.
“My dad loved being at the track; he loved helping get ready for races and then watching the races every week,” she said. “He passed away in 2014 but if he had a say, he would tell me that 50 years is worth celebrating.”
Miller said she was dedicating this season to her dad.
Once the schedule is released, it will be posted whspeedway.com. Real-time updates are posted on the Windy Hollow Speedway Facebook page.
