As a diehard racing fan, I have always wanted to go to a racing event in person. However, all the tracks in the region that I live in are 3+ hours away! That was until I discovered Hayden Speedway. Hayden Speedway is a dirt track in Hayden, Colorado and is only 30 minutes from Steamboat Springs! Sadly, Hayden Speedway closed in 2015, but I want to help bring it back!

Hayden Speedway was built over a landfill off of County Road 53 - about 8 minutes southwest of the Yampa Valley Regional Airport - in 1974. The track was largely successful, bringing in drivers from neighboring cities, counties, and even states to compete in events. As a result of the track's success, improvements were added such as stadium lights and tires for guardrails, therefore allowing a bigger variety of dirt racing to occur.

After decades of racing, the volunteer-run speedway would unfortunately run into financial troubles, ultimately causing the track to shut down. Since then, the track has remained completely vacant, aside from some using the land for archery, and others for illegal dumping.

Here's why the Routt County, Colorado and auto racing communities should come together to help make this happen:

1.  Racing fans in Routt County have few places to watch racing in a nearby radius. Many racing fans in the area have to drive 3+ hours away to other tracks, many of which are in other states!
2. If no action is taken, the track/facility could end up in worse condition and would need lots of money to renovate! It has already been over 10 years since the track closed, if we wait too long, it will only be harder to fix up!
3. It is the racing offseason. Right now, it's almost wintertime, so there wouldn't be any dirt track races happening. If we can get the track reopened by the beginning of the spring/summer, racing could quickly begin again!
4. Time is running out! The Town of Hayden, Colorado is in talks of redeveloping the land on which the speedway stands. The more signatures this petition gets, the higher chance we have of bringing dirt racing back to Hayden, Colorado!

Please consider signing my petition, and if you do, be sure to share it with others! Right now, the facility is in rather unpleasant condition, with tall grass peeking out of the dirt, shaky bleachers, and a deteriorating scoring tower. However, with your help, we can make this facility the best speedway in the northwest region of Colorado! Thank you for your support! - Elliott Dudoit