I think the really sad part of all these track closings, is how the motorsports fans are treated like the "red headed step-children" of the sporting world, at least in this area. In Rochester, we have 3, tax payer supported, sports arena/sports stadiums. While the new baseball park was pretty much needed, as the 80 year old one was in rough shape, the "soccer stadium" really wasn't needed, and although a nice venue, the soccer team is on "hiatus", and the lacrosse team I have no idea about. Nonetheless, we taxpayers keep ALL of these facilities in functioning condition.
But let a private operator want to operate an existing, or, GASP, build a new motorsports facility, and they face more red tape than the 3M corporation could produce. The Buffalo Bills, which have a decent stadium, threaten to leave Buffalo, and the city immediately begin looking for ways to fund a new, glitzy, mega-million dollar stadium. Tell them that a long standing Buffalo area tradition, Lancaster Speedway is possibly closing, and they stare at you and say, "So what"? Yet the track could be saved for probably 1/20 the cost of a new football stadium.
In Williamson, when the Spencer brothers wanted to retire, and sell their long-standing racetrack, subsequent owners were constantly barraged with restrictions and/or regulations that they had to adhere to. A sports facility that operates 2 days a week, 4 months a year, and the area's "newer" residents acted like the track was operating 24/7. Don't like noise? Then don't buy a house near an existing motorsports facility!
OK, rant over...……..