LOVES PARK, Ill. (WIFR) – Demolition of the historic Rockford Speedway is nearing the finish line.

After 75 years of racing, the Deery family closed the place in 2023. On Thursday, crews tore down some of the remaining parts.

As the demolition occurred, passersby stopped to take photos and tell stories of the site with other racing fans. Dan Roos lives just four miles from the racecourse. He sat on some bricks to watch the demolition.

When asked why Roos was watching the demolition, he said he “sees the history going away.” He adds: “I know back then this was probably the only thing here; “just cornfields and the Rockford Speedway.”

Jeff Wibbens of Machesney Park also stopped by the grounds of the old Rockford Speedway. When he was a child, his father took him to watch races at the track. Later in life, Wibbens took his children to the Speedway.

“It’s an emotional day for the community,” Wibbens says. “Everyone loves the Speedway. “Once this building is gone, it will be officially finished.”

Something that many people will miss is hearing the sounds of Saturday night racing. But the community wants something big to go where the track once was.

There are several options for what to do with the land. The developers are in the process of attracting the attention of large retailers and chains. Some community members hope some kind of restaurant will take the place of the Speedway.

Ryan Fitzgerald of Shorewood Development Group says, “We have worked with the city and are trying to attract major retail anchors there. “As you know, Amazon has taken its toll on big developments, so we have focused on trying to attract retailers.”

Fitzgerald says demolition should be done in a few weeks and there will be more announcements in the spring about what could be placed in the space.

Copyright 2024 WIFR. All rights reserved.