Inside Access: Track prep for “Hall of Fame Night” on July 27th

On this page, we are going to give everyone inside access on the work that is going on this week with the track prep for the “Hall of Fame Night” on July 27th.  This page includes a daily log along with some photos.

Monday, July 23rd
The track surface was ripped open in preparation for the track watering process.  By ripping the track open, the moisture will go down into the surface.

Tuesday, July 24th
Track crews planned on starting the track watering process today, but mother nature intervened.  This time, it was a good thing, as several hours of rain fell on the speedway, with all of that moisture soaking in.

Wednesday, July 25th
The track was still very wet today from the rain yesterday.  However, by 3:30 pm the track dried just enough to get the grader on the track to rip the track surface again.  The reason for ripping the track this time was to churn the dirt up.  The track is still wet with lots of moisture still in the surface.  The disc and drag was then brought out to break up the larger chunks of clay.  Since the moisture is already in the track, the plan for tomorrow is to start on compacting the track back together and water to keep the track wet.

Below is a photo of the track being ripped.  The photo at the top of the page is after the track was ripped.

Thursday, July 26th
Track prep started early this morning at SOS today.  The disc and drag were brought on the track again to break up the clay.  Following that, the sheeps foot was brought out to begin compacting the track together.  The track was sheeps footed for a couple hours then the track was graded.  Following that, the track was sheeps footed again and also packed in with the water truck.  This compaction work was done to help insure a smooth racing surface.  Also, compacting the track seals the top layer off to an extent, insuring that the moisture down in the surface will stay there.

By mid-afternoon the water truck was hitting the track.  Track crews soaked the racing surface with the water truck.  After the track was watered, rains hit the speedway, getting more moisture on the track.  At the end of the day, track crews are really happy with the moisture in the surface and how well the track has compacted together.

Below are photos from the track work today.  The first photo is of the track being sheeps footed, the second photo is of the track being graded, and the third photo is of the track before the storm hit.