Poll shows opposition to fairgrounds racetrack plan
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Nashville residents support eliminating the fairgrounds racetrack over a possible improvement plan, according to last week's Vanderbilt University poll.
Why it matters: The track's future has been mired in political gridlock for 15 years.
- Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration has engaged Speedway Motorsports about a racetrack investment plan, but there isn't a deal in place yet.
By the numbers: According to the Vanderbilt poll, 36% supported eliminating the track compared to 26% who favored a plan to improve the facility and bring NASCAR races back to Nashville.
- It was the second negative data point recently for a possible racetrack plan. The Power Poll, which surveys civic leaders and political influencers, also showed opposition to the plan.
- According to the Power Poll, 55% of insiders oppose a possible plan to fix up the track. That's compared to 29% who support a NASCAR plan.
Caveat: When voters weighed in on the future of the racetrack in 2011, they overwhelmingly supported a ballot measure to preserve the speedway.
- Pro-racing groups have shared polling results in recent years showing support for a possible racetrack investment plan.
Between the lines: A hypothetical racetrack plan is difficult to poll, because the financing details are not yet known.
State of play: A group seeking to demolish the racetrack and replace it with workforce or affordable housing at the fairgrounds is engaged in a lawsuit about whether its ballot measure can move forward.
- The case is set for a hearing in Chancery Court next week.
- If the anti-racing measure survives the legal challenge, then organizers would have less than three months to gather about 50,000 signatures from registered voters in order to put the plan on the November ballot.