Two-time Daytona 500 champion Sterling Marlin and past NASCAR standouts Chad Chaffin and Mike Alexander have joined with several other racers and businessmen to form Tennessee Racing Association, LLC, with the single mission of procuring the rights to continue the history of automobile racing at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
“The history of the Nashville track is known nearly around the world,” said Marlin. “And we’re committed to seeing that continue in a positive way.”
Said Chaffin, “We want to bring the sport to another generation, the way it was given to us. We believe the track should be a benefit to the Tennessee State Fair Board and the surrounding community. And we believe we have the best organization to accomplish the three tasks of continuing the sport, being good neighbors to the community and providing a positive revenue stream for the Fair Board.”
The group of ten individuals brings more than 250 years of racing experience and more than 50 championships from across the southeast, but more importantly more than 300 years of successful business operation in multiple fields.
The group includes:
Sterling Marlin-a two-time winner of NASCAR’s biggest race, the Daytona 500, Marlin is also a three-time track champion at Nashville and a long history of success in farming, automobile sales and real estate endeavors.
Chad Chaffin-a two-time track champion at Nashville and a regular on the NASCAR Nationwide, two-time winner on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and member of the Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame, he is also the owner of Southeast Recycling, one of the largest fiber recycling operations in the United States.
Mike Alexander-a two-time Nashville champion, he also won the 1983 NASCAR National Championship for short track racers, was a regular on the NASCAR Nationwide and Spring Cup Series, and was an integral part of the success of the Alexander Automotive Group, Tennessee’s largest family-owned dealer franchise before it was sold earlier this year. He is also a member of the Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame.
Ricky Bolden-a lifelong Nashville resident, Bolden has two championships at Nashville and more than 50 feature wins in four divisions to his credit. He has been the president of B & B Truck Parts and Service since 1986.
Neil Chaffin-two time champion at Nashville with over forty years of racing experience as a driver and owner, former member of the Tennessee State Fair Board, he is the retired founder of N & S Salvage, and owned Highland Rim Speedway for fifteen years.
Wayne Day-has won over 100 races as a car owner and the 1983 Nashville title with Jerry Sisco driving. He is also the president of 31-W Insulation and Day Enterprises, family-run companies he founded in 1972.
William “Bill” Freeman-long time racing supporter, he is the co-founder of Freeman-Webb, Inc, a real estate and property management company.
Mark Miles-the father of 2011 Nashville Track Champion Tyler Miles, who has won multiple titles nationally in the World Karting Association as well as at tracks around the southeast including Huntsville and Montgomery. He is also the owner and president of US Industrial Services and US Industrial Warehouse in the fields of industrial contract services, warehousing and logistics.
Donald Mingus-has been involved in racing across the southeast for more than 25 years. He is the owner/president of Nashville’s Team Construction and serves in the same role for DBV Properties.
Donnie Redd-a long-time member of NASCAR’s Timing and Scoring officiating team, he has been involved at the Fairgrounds for over 30 years, serving at various times in scoring, media relations, community relations and as general manager. He now operates a real estate rental and leasing business in Shelbyville.
Johnny Turner-the former Old Hickory resident is the owner of Crown Jewelry and Gifts in Franklin, a company he founded in 1998. Turner raced at the Fairgrounds though out the 1980’s.
“I believe that with the strength of this group we have formed (Tennessee Racing Associates, LLC), there is enough business background, passion for and dedication to racing, that we can, and will, bring racing back to the Nashville Fairgrounds as the great facility it once was,” said Turner.
