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(423) 288-5992
MEDIA GUIDE
Welcome to the Kingsport Speedway Media Guide! We hope this page helps you in all of your coverage of the Concrete Jungle. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to the Media Team, our contact info can be found on the main Media/Press page.
Kingsport Speedway was constructed in 1965 after a group of businessmen from Kingsport saw the success of Bristol Motor Speedway (at the time Bristol International Raceway) and wanted to replicate it just 30 minutes up the road in their hometown. They settled on a small hillside in the residency area of Bloomingdale, and in the Summer of 1965, Kingsport Speedway hosted its first weekly races on a high banked dirt surface. The track would undergo 3 (three) surface changes through the years. The original dirt surface was paved with asphalt in 1968 (Also when the track first became NASCAR sanctioned.) Then back to dirt, and from high banking to moderate banking in 1984. Then to Concrete as it sits today beginning in 1996. The race track at its current capacity sits at roughly 7,500 people in the grandstands. The track in the late 90s and early 00s introduced a hillside tailgating or "tier parking" area for fans to catch a birds eye view of the track.
The track is a .385mile Concrete Oval with variable banking. The bottom groove has roughly 6 degrees, the second groove roughly 8, the corner peak at 14 degrees in turns 1 and 2, while turns 3 and 4 peak at 16 degrees. The wide track, tight turns, variable banking, and aged racing surface makes Kingsport Speedway one of, if not the toughest places to race in all of NASCAR Local and even Regional. If you can win at Kingsport Speedway, you can win anywhere in the country
Kingsport Speedway weather permitting provides 16 weeks of Weekly racing action from the NASCAR Local Racing Series (Powered by O'reilly Auto Parts) as well as a major non - points event in October called "king Cobra" or "King of The Concrete Jungle," in 2025, the event paid over $27,000 in total prize purse across 5 divisions.
Kingsport Speedway is also NASCAR Sanctioned. The State of Tennessee's only NASCAR Local Series track, meaning drivers don't just fight for the track championship throughout the season, but also NASCAR's Local Series State Title and points purse, and are qualified for the National Championship and points purse as well in Divisions 1 through 7. NASCAR sanctioning also gives Champion drivers opportunity to attend NASCARS annual awards banquet where they are recognized and receive unrivaled exposure compared to non NASCAR paved tracks in the area.
The track at this time provides 7 weekly racing divisions. From American short track staples, to Kingsport Fan favorites. These divisions include; Late Model Stock Cars, Super Street, Street Stock, Mod 4, Pure 4, Stock Front Wheel Drive and Crown Victorias.
Kingsport Speedway also uses Cobra Racing Tires as its primary tire supplier, which you can read more about in the "Newsworthy" section. Front wheel drive cars and Crown Victorias race on stock tires.
Alongside stock car racing, Kingsport Speedway does, and has hosted many of special events. One of our most popular ones being Tour of Destruction, a national tour with an annual stop to the Concrete Jungle hosting demolition derbies, school bus races, car stunts and various other extreme racing activities. The track has also hosted Monster truck rallies, car shows, live music, and much much more
Historically. The track has also hosted more than local and regional action in NASCAR. In the 70s the track hosted three NASCAR Cup Series races, two won by Jack Ingram, and one by The King himself, Richard Petty, Kingsport was also a Godfather of the Late Model Sportsman series, hosting many major events. This series would become the Busch Grand National Series, what we now know today as the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. The track has also welcomed many major Late Model and racing tours through the years. Most recently last season the track welcomed the Super Cup Stock Car Series (SCSCS) and the brand new SAPS Late Model Tour. A newly created and blossoming CARS Tour came to the track in July of 2018, the race was won by NASCAR Truck Series star Layne Riggs. But the track has also hosted The Pro Cup Series (now defunct), UARA Stars National Tour, Carolina Pro Late Models, and more.
KINGSPORT SPEEDWAY
Located at 2961 N. John B Dennis hwy, Kingsport TN, 37660
Nickname(s): The Concrete Jungle
Kingsport TN is also known as "The Model City"
Track Owners: Keith Stiltner, Ervin Stiltner
Acting General Manager/Promoter: Vern Deel
Length - .385mi
Banking - Variable (turn 1&2 - 14 degrees / turn 3&4 - 16 degrees / Bottom line or groove - 6 to 8 degrees)
(Frontstretch - 6 degrees / Backstretch - 12 degrees)
Weekly Racing Divisions and lap counts
Late Model - 50 Laps or 40min. (or twin 40 laps - 35min time limit)
Super Street - 35 Laps or 30min.
Pure 4 - 35 Laps or 30min.
Street Stock - 30 Laps or 25min.
Mod 4 - 25 Laps or 20min.
Stock FWD - 20 Laps or 15min.
Crown Victorias - 20 Laps or 15min.
Max Nightly Time Limit. - With Twins: 205min (3hr 25min)
No Twins - 175min (2hr 55min)
MEDIA PARTNERS (constantly updating)
News Channel 11 WJHL
96.3fm The Possum
Julian Austin/"Deez Lug Nutz Podcast"
Track Chat Live
Lenny Batycki/"PRN At The Track"
Jim Carson/"Late Model Digest"
Bristol Herald Courier Sports
Brian Rose/Track Bar Media
TRACK INFO
Our website: www.kingsportspeedway.net
Track office phone (423) 288 5992
track email: racekingsport@outlook.com
media email: kingsportspeedwaymedia@gmail.com
Weekly highlights, interviews and more at Kingsport Speedway on YouTube
www.youtube.com/KingsportSpeedway
Social Media Channels
Facebook: Kingsport Speedway
Instagram: @kingsportspeedway
Threads: @kingsportspeedway
TikTok: @kingsportspeedway
X: @KPspeedway
Radio: MyRacePass Premium subscription
RECENT CHAMPIONS
Last 10 Late Model track champions
2025: Brad Housewright
2024: Keith Helton
2023: Jacob York
2022: Kres VanDyke
2021: Nik Williams
2020: Kres VanDyke
2019: Nik Williams
2018: Zeke Shell
2017: Kres VanDyke
2016: Ronnie McCarty
All Super Street Cahmpions
2025: Tristen Barnes
2024: Greg Bohanon Jr.
Last 10 Street Stock Champions
2025: Rob Austin
2024: Rob Austin
2023: Jamie Meadows
2022: Rob Austin
2021: Billy Walters
2020: Tony Dockery
2019: Doug Austin
2018: Jay Swecker
2017: Jay Swecker
2016: Chris Tunnell
Last 10 Pure 4 Champions
2025: Steven Watts
2024: Kenny Absher
2023: John Ketron
2022: Kenny Absher
2021: Bruce Crumbley
2020: Billy Byington
2019: Keith Helton
2018: Bruce Crumbley
2017: Kenny Absher
2016: Billy Byington
Last 10 Mod 4 Champions
2025: Kevin Canter
2024: Kevin Canter
2023: Chris Amburgey
2016 - 2022: Kevin Canter
All Stock FWD Champions
2025: Joshua Collins
2024: Keith McMurray
2023: Joshua Collins
All Crown Vic Champions
2025: Tyler Conway
2024: Charles Gunter
Longest 2025 race: 8/8/25 (5hrs, 21min.)
Shortest 2025 race: 7/18/25 (2hrs, 27min)
FEATURE WINNERS IN 2025
LMSC
Zeke Shell - 13
Brad Housewright - 5 (Incl Cobra 350)
Bruce Crumbley - 1
Derek Lane -1
Keith Helton - 1
Hunter Morgan - 1
Mason Walters - 1
Boo Boo Dalton - 1
Super Street
Tristen Barnes - 6
Kyle Barnes - 4
Austin Walters - 1
Marty Tunnell - 1
David Brown - 1
Street Stock
Rob Austin - 5
Rusty Clendenin - 5
Joey Owens - 2 (Incl Cobra 350)
Joey Sykes - 1
Daniel McMurray - 1
Mod 4
Kevin Canter - 11 (Incl Cobra 350)
Chris Amburgey - 1
Brandon Brendle - 1
Rocky Yates - 1
Pure 4
Steven Watts - 12 (Incl Cobra 350)
David "Animal" Trent - 2
Stock FWD
Joshua Collins - 6
Roger Wright - 2
Jordan Ensor - 2
John Ketron - 1
Dakota Collins - 1
Crown Vics
Tyler Conway - 4
Josh Harris - 3
Keith McMurray - 2 (Incl Cobra 350)
Jordan Ensor - 2
Brandon Bruner - 1
Charles Gunter - 1
Daniel McMurray - 1
OUR 2026 PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
Roger Clendenin/RCR Parts Church Hill
Cor - Tenn Co. Construction stores
La Carreta retaraunt - N Eastman Rd.
Kingsport Fitness and Tanning
Sonny Brown/Quality Heat And Aire
96.3fm The Possum
Braeden's BBQ and catering
Jim Cline II - Farmer's Insurance Kingsport TN
Rob Ferguson/ Just For Fun Party Rentals
Jeff Maupin/Prime Wraps
Cobra Racing Tires
Jerry Lane/Super Transmission
Ken Daffron/Dalton Direct Carpets and Flooring
NOTABLE OR NEWSWORTHY MOMENTS IN RECENT HISTORY
Cobra Racing Tires Becomes Official Tire Supplier of Kingsport Speedway (2023): During 2022, a tire shortage rocked short rack racing, and not many tracks were hit harder than Kingsport. As the former tire supplier outright refused to supply tires for the track. That's when Chester Hester and Cobra Racing Tires stepped in. Cobra, really only known at that time for their karting tires, was finally breaking into the full body car scene. And Kingsport was their first major exposure. While not without hiccups, Cobra was a major success amongst local racers. Since then Cobra has continued to grow, and so has Kingsport. Cobra tires have also contributed to Kingsport's success in other ways, being headline sponsor for "King Of The Concrete Jungle," a race that in it's first 2 years has given out over $18,000 and $27,000 in total prize purse respectively. Cobra tire provide a gateway to golden age of local short tracks, the Goodyear tires of the 90s or the early 00s Hoosiers. A fast, affordable tire that can withstand multiple features, and puts on a racing product that makes managing your equipment matter.
The new "CARS Tour' roars into Kingsport, puts NASCAR's future to the test (2018): Mark McNelly was 4 years into his brand new CARS Tour, a premier late model tour that was born from the fragments of the Rev-Oil Pro Cup Series and the UARA Stars National Tour. And Kingsport Speedway was the newest stop on the schedule. Future names of NASCAR like Josh Berry and Ty Gibbs, local heroes like Kres VanDyke, and Late Model giants like Lee Pulliam converged on the Concrete Jungle on a fateful July Saturday. The race was an absolute barnburner that saw Kres VanDyke and Lee Pulliam go wire to wire, back and forth. But neither of them would score the win. Instead it was now NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series star Layne Riggs, son of former Cup driver Scott Riggs. He would take the lead late and never look back. The race was an astounding success and huge hit for Kingsport Speedway fans. However what is now the ZMax CARS Tour has never returned since. Some speculate Tour drivers hated the Concrete Jungle due to the wear and tear the challenging track had on tires, brakes, and suspension, and refused to return. Nobody may ever truly know, and while fans may wait for a return, this rumor only furthers the track's reputation as one of the toughest in the country!
Brad Housewright and Zeke Shell Split Late Model Championships In Battle That Will Be Remembered For Years (2025) The 2025 Late Model Stock season was a dramatic one if nothing else. Coming off a year where Keith Helton stunk up the show with 17 wins and clinching the 2024 Championship in early August. Things wouldn't be so easy this time around for KFH as 2 returning names to the Late Model lineup would steal the show. Zeke Shell once famously proclaimed "Hell would freeze over before I ever race there again" well after six years (and a change at gm/promoter.) Hell froze over. Then there was "Bad" Brad Housewright who famously spray painted his pit stall in frustration with the track. Three years after his exit, he returned. And both drivers became the class of the field immediately. If you are at all familiar with the 2003 Winston Cup Battle, it was the same premise, Shell would be the winningest driver of the year with 13 feature wins, but couldn't nurse the car to modest finishes outside of that, especially in August where the 1 team hit a horrific stretch of tire failures and bad luck that set him back tremendously. Then there was Brad, who only notched 4 wins, but never DNF'd all season and only finished outside of the podium once. A razor thin points battle, some great wins by Bruce Crumbley and others, some walkouts by Keith Helton, and some kid named Mason Walters crashing the party all culminated in the finale race. Shell could only win the Track Championship by winning the race and collecting bonus points for most cars passed. So Zeke started in the rear, Brad started on the pole. And what unfolded is something we can only encourage you to go on our YouTube and experience yourself. At the end of it, Brad Housewright would be the prodigal son who would walk away with the Kingsport gold. Almost 20 years to the night he won the Championship at Neighboring Lonesome Pine. But because NASCAR does not count Twin features in March and April, Zeke Shell would split the Championship with Housewright, and go home with the State Division 1 title. Now in 2026 Brad returns to defend his title, while Zeke once again says goodbye to go Touring racing with IHRA. The 2025 season sets the bar for what a Championship battle looks like in Kingsport's new era. And these hallowed walls have one more story to tell.
King Of The Concrete Jungle Is Born (2024): Kingsport Speedway after having a few down years was well on a comeback in 2024. However, the track needed something it hadn't had in a while to put a stamp on the return. A signature race. So with the help of partner and supplier Cobra Tires, as well as various sponsors and partners of the Concrete Jungle. The inaugural "King Of The Concrete Jungle" took place on Saturday, October 19th, 2024. The race was an instant hit, drawing in Late Model Talent from across the region. But it was former Kingsport regular turned NC Touring star Lee Tissot who would conserve his tires over Helton to take the lead late and win the first ever event and the $5000 payday. In 2025 the event grew, adding support divisions and becoming a 350 lap spectacular. With major sponsor and partner backing, what is now known as "The King Cobra 350" (Late Model feature still carries the original name) 2026 is sure to go even bigger, as King of The Jungle grows into one of the biggest races in the region!
-Kingsport Speedway Media-
EST. 1965
2961 N John B. Dennis hwy, Kingsport TN, 37660
Social Media: @kingsportspeedway (except on Twitter/X: @KPspeedway)
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