Following three quarters of a century in operation, Rockford Speedway in Loves Park, Illinois has been sold to redevelopers and will close at the end of the season.
This marks year 76 for the quarter mile that opened in 1948 and this has been billed as the ‘Last Lap Season,’ for the venue owned by the Deery family since 1966 when Hugh and Jody Deery took over the lease.
Conversations with HJS Development began in 2020 during the shutdown, with the elder Deery passing in 2022 at the age of 97, with a deal finally getting struck for the end of this season.
General manager David Deery indicated that this outcome was ultimately inevitable.
“For years we have watched the surrounding area evolve into a vibrant retail corridor, this day has been coming and while it’s great for the city, it stings for the thousands of fans and racers who have made Rockford Speedway their ‘family’ for generations,” Deery said.
“We know this will be the last year for our major events losing use of the property in front of the Speedway along Hwy 173 as that area will be developed first, with the track itself remaining until further land sales.”
Ryan Fitzgerald is the principal of HJS Development and says it’s not lost on him what the 50-acre property has meant to generations of race fans.
“The property is the last developable property for Loves Park on 173 and is in demand,” Fitzgerald said. “Shorewood understands the Speedway has been a family entertainment tradition and realizes this will leave a void in the City of Loves Park and the racing world, however, the development opportunities along the 173 corridor are limited creating pressure on the Deery Family.”
The final season will begin on April 22 and end on October 29 following a three day ‘Last Lap Season Finale.’
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