Abandoned speedway between Colorado Springs and Pueblo preparing for comeback
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO)-- An abandoned racetrack that once hosted races for southern Colorado fans could soon roar back to life.
High Banks Speedway at Beacon Hill, previously known to many race fans as Beacon Hill Speedway and I-25 Speedway, is preparing for a comeback under new ownership and management.
The track, located just off I-25 between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, has sat empty for the past five years.
Now, new owners Steve Lacy and Adam Hilton say they plan to completely revitalize the facility and reopen it as High Banks Speedway at Beacon Hill, keeping the historic Beacon Hill name while introducing a new identity for the track.
“We wanted to change the name but still keep the Beacon Hill history with it,” said co-owner Steve Lacy. “That’s why we chose High Banks Speedway at Beacon Hill.”
Lacy says the project will require extensive work and could cost roughly $3.5 million to complete.
The facility has deteriorated after years of sitting vacant, and nearly every part of the property will need attention.
“Everything will be touched in this facility,” Lacy said. “Every roof needs to be replaced. Every building needs to be addressed. It’s going to take a lot of work.”
Plans include:
- Resurfacing the racetrack
- Rebuilding or repairing damaged structures
- Repainting buildings across the property
- Repairing grandstands and pit areas
Some of the bleachers were even blown onto the track during storms while the facility sat unused.
Despite the challenges, Lacy says the response from the racing community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We went into this with a little hesitation because it’s a big project,” he said. “But the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited about the future of this racetrack.”
While traditional circle-track racing is expected to return, owners say they want the facility to become a broader entertainment venue for the region.
Planned events could include:
- Monster truck shows
- Demolition derbies
- Drifting events
- Car shows
- Concerts
“We want this to be more than just racing,” Lacy said. “We want it to be a venue for the community.”
The speedway will also offer upgraded food options and a full bar, including beer, wine and spirits.
Owners say they want to move beyond typical concession stand offerings and provide higher-quality food for fans attending events.
Restoration work is expected to begin immediately, with owners planning to work on the track during weekends.
Lacy says several people in the racing community have already volunteered to help bring the facility back.
“That’s a normal thing in the racing community,” he said. “People love it, and they want to help.”
If construction stays on schedule, owners hope to reopen the track as early as September, bringing racing back to southern Colorado for the first time in years.
The owners hope the reopening could bring renewed excitement to local race fans and revive a track that has long been part of the region’s motorsports history.
Lacy shared that he is also thinking about his late brother Chad Grant while working on this project. Chad was also heavily involved in the racing community. In addition, Lacy's dad, Dan Lacy, is currently battling cancer, and he has also been an inspiration for this project.
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