New ownership group takes over at Cordele

What is now known as Watermelon Capital Speedway at Crisp Motorsports Park has a new owner, a new name and a new direction.

The last pavement track standing in Georgia will continue to operate as such, and will even expand, under new owners Greg and Lori Noland. Immediately rechristened Cordele Motor Speedway, the 100-acre property will eventually expand to include a new RV park, an on-site restaurant and concessions facility and a road course for Legends and Karting purposes.

This is in addition to the medium-banked 3-th

To execute this vision, the Nolands have appointed veteran short track everyman Ricky Brooks as general manager of the facility.

“Ricky’s thirty-plus years of experience in motorsports will be priceless both in moving CMS in the right direction and in implementing our ideas for the Speedway,” said Greg Noland in a press release.

Lori Noland agreed, adding she has “seen firsthand the passion and professionalism that Ricky possesses for motorsports, especially for short track stock car racing and that he’s a racer at heart.”

Brooks is also a managing partner of the SRL National Super Late Model divion and owner of the SRL Sportsman Series.

“I look forward to working every day to make the new Cordele Motor Speedway a better place for everyone involved,” Brooks said in the release. “My focus is to remodel the facility into a state-of-the-art speedway while growing the 2024 race season and beyond.”

The previous owners of the facility, Wayne and Flo Lyle, operated the track with a vision of it remaining a race track well into the future and that promise is met with the stewardship of the Noland family.

“The Lyle family would like to thank all of the teams, fans, Crisp Motorsports Park employees, and sponsors for their support over the years,” said previous general manager David Sumner. “Wayne and Flo’s dedication made Crisp Motorsports Park well-known all over the Southeastern United States as one of the most successful race tracks and one of the nicest facilities for enthusiasts to enjoy.”

The Nolands have operated a successful roofing business since 2011. They also operate a race team with son Jett behind the wheel, a veteran of short tracks, Trans-Am and the NASCAR Truck Series.

“We are devoted to developing the next generation of racers and fully committed to ensuring that Cordele Motor Speedway will always be a short track,” said Greg Noland in a release.