Brasstown – Dirt track racing is set to return to Cherokee County for the first time in over a year.
Jamie Oliver and Jason Welshan of J&J Promotions have leased the dirt track and already started to make significant improvements to a facility that hasn’t seen racing since late 2023.
A variety of race cars will return to what many call the “Hidden Gem” for the first of three scheduled practice sessions Saturday, March 1. There are also practice sessions scheduled for Saturdays, March 8 and 15.
The track’s grand reopening will be at the first race Saturday, March 22, which will feature 602 Late Models as well as weekly division races. Weekly divisions consist of 602 Late Models as well as Late Models, 604 Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds, Street Stocks, Front Wheel Drives and Crown Victorias.
There are also multiple special races, including a Mother’s Day Special on May 10, Father’s Day Special on June 13, Independence Day Special with fireworks on July 4, Labor Day Special with fireworks on Sept. 1, Halloween Special on Oct. 31 and the Turkey Race on Nov. 29. Topless Outlaw Series and Southern Thunder Late Model Series will also make season stops at Tri-County on July 26 and Aug. 22, respectively.
Oliver grew up coming to the track to watch races before he started driving himself.
“I’ve grown up here. When I was young, both of my uncles were into racing, and my grandpa helped them. Then when I got old enough, me and my cousin started racing here, and this will be the 32nd year I’ve been fooling with this myself,” he said.
“This place went down a year ago when Ray Cook was running it, and they couldn’t come to an agreement after Jack [Wimpy], the owner,
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passed on and it sat idle for a year. Then a buddy of mine that I buy race cars from, and he helps me work on mine, Jason Welshan, we were talking on the phone one night and he said, ‘What do you think about that racetrack? You think we can lease it and do something with it?’ ”
Oliver and Welshan met with the Wimpy family, came to an agreement and then began working on the track.
Oliver discussed improvements they are making to the track, including improving the grounds on the back side of the grandstands, more pit parking, upgraded bathrooms with new toilets and sinks, more handicap-accessible areas including a parking lot, as well as upgraded bleachers and press box.
He added that they haven’t had any issues in refurbishing the track and getting it ready for the first race.
Oliver was also appreciative of all the help they’ve gotten in working on the grounds and track, saying that it has all been volunteer work by people who love the track and race there.
On what fans can expect when coming to the track, Oliver said, “We expect them to see a good show and get their moneys worth. We want them to have a good time while they’re here, we want to have good food in our concession stand and we want to be family oriented here.
“We want the kids involved, we’re going to do stuff for the kids out here on the front straightaway, like on ‘Back to Schools Nights’ and stuff like that. We’re gonna work it and make it a family deal.”
Oliver also wanted to thank Interstate Welding & Steel Suppy, Vincent Simms Construction, Hayesville Truck & Trailer Sales and Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Ga. Sugar Creek will run races on opposite weekends to not conflict with the schedule at Tri-County Racetrack.
The track will host races from March until the end of the season in Nov. They will run on Saturday nights.