Mac Toole, S.C. House of Representatives; Elise Partin, Cayce Mayor; Todd Cullum, Lexington City Council; and John Banks, West Metro Chamber at the Columbia Speedway press conference. At a joint press conference on September 23, the city of Cayce, the West Metro Chamber of Commerce, Racers’ Reunion, along with Wade and Bobby Sellers, announced that the historic Columbia Speedway, which has been lying dormant for nearly half a century, is back in business.

A meeting with Jeff Guilder in the early spring got the ball rolling for John Banks and the Chamber for the first Racer’s Reunion, which was a resounding success last spring. Love Chevrolet sponsored that event and continues as a major force in plans for the track’s future.

Banks opened the news conference by saying how “incredible it is this day has come, from a small inaugural meeting to the plans now coming to fruition.”

Chamber executive director Gregg Pinner announced the track’s inaugural event, Rockin’ at the Speedway, a series of Friday night concerts in October, that begins Friday with the Root Doctors. Pinner said he was excited the concerts were the inaugural event for the new facility. Reid’s Grocery is sponsoring the concert series.

The Sellers Brothers agreed to let the community have the track for racing events, music festivals, and anything that might make use of the facility. Bobby said this process started with a December 2008 meeting with Racers’ Reunion and will now “celebrate and preserve the history” of the track and bring people together to have fun.

Future plans include a walk of fame, conference center, and museum to be built on the grounds and to make the track capable of being used as a test facility, and maybe even future events associated with the Racers’ Reunion.

The infield has been cleared of trees and undergrowth and grass has been planted. The stage for the free concerts in October will be set up on the back straightaway and vendors will line the sides. Folks will be encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and Snuggies to enjoy the concerts. Cayce Mayor Elise Partin said it was a “joy to be part of this and to see this story unfold.”

Racers’ Reunion 2010 has already been set up for late April, with a bigger and better lineup. With ample parking, plenty of space, and the backing of the communities, there is hope for a facility that can be used year round for a myriad of differing events, with the focus on preserving the history of this legendary race track that was such a big part of NASCAR and Columbia back in the pioneer days of stock car racing.

Visit the West Metro Chamber of Commerce and Racers’ Reunion websites for more information.