Wartburg Speedway
Raymond Shepard holds a unique position in east Tennessee racing circles. As a driver, he has won Street Stock features all over the region. But at the same time, the Kingston, Tenn. resident has also served multiple tracks around the area in various capacities.
Now, Shepard is preparing to take on yet another role in racing as the 42-year-old has recently assumed ownership of the Wartburg Speedway after negotiations with the track’s previous owner proved successful.
“Me and Mike Kittrell talked a little bit,” Shepard explained in an interview with InsideDirtRacing.com. “He was wanting to sell it so we talked around and he just said you need to buy it so I said alright. I went home and talked to my wife and eventually we sat down and talked numbers and everything.”
Upon taking ownership, Shepard immediately went to work on the facility in order to make improvements for the 2017 season.
“I’ll tell you that it’s a big step but I think we can improve it and make this place better,” Shepard declared. “We’re putting new lights up and we’re getting ready to demolish some old bleachers and redo all of them. We’re just trying to improve on a lot of things out here. The main thing is keeping the track up, cutting the weeds and replacing the things that need replaced.”
Raymond Shepard
Shepard believes the relationships he has fostered during his time in racing will benefit him and his speedway. And the former race director at Wartburg, I-75 Raceway and Spring City Raceway believes the key to success in running a race track is to listen to those who matter most.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot of people at all those tracks- a lot of drivers, a lot of fans,” Shepard said. “I’ve got good relationships with a bunch of drivers and I’ve learned a lot just by listening to them. When you listen to them and get their input on things it makes everyone feel like they got to put in a little bit on something. Just being around drivers, fans, and people in the pit area is a big thing. We all get along.”
Further, Shepard believes he will have a unique ability to see every perspective when running a track.
“I’ve been on all sides as a racer, a promoter, and everything,” he pointed out. “As an owner it’s going to be different, but I think we’ll be alright. I know it’s hard to make everybody happy so we’ve got to take care of things here at the track and try to communicate with the drivers and fans also to make sure they’re coming back or to make sure they’re coming for our big events.”
One of the most important members of Shepard’s team at Wartburg wasn’t hard to find. As a matter of fact, they share the same house. Libby Shepard has been there to support her husband in all of his racing ventures, and this endeavor will be no different.
“It’s a different challenge,” he said. “Me and my wife have talked about this for a few weeks and we made sure we were really serious about it. She’s been a big plus because she enjoys it and she’s been around it as long as I have.”
Shepard hopes to have packed grandstands as cars race on his track next season
Shepard is adamant that his track will bring street cars back for racing action in the future, but apart from that, he will consider what other classes that will be in competition over the winter with an announcement made in time for the beginning of the racing season. He also hopes to offer some variety to fans of the area as events such as Sprint Cars or touring Late Model series will be examined.
“I know we’ve got our hands full but everybody is excited about next season here at Wartburg. If people will bear with us, we’ll show them we’re here for the long term.”
