A Tale of Two Race Tracks – As Palm Beach Int’l Raceway Faces its Final Chapter, Discussions Emerge for a New Race Facility in Southeast Florida
The writing may have been on the wall about the future about Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) for over a year, but lots of support still remained from Florida enthusiasts to keep racing at the facility that first opened in 1965.
The track had been closed since April 2022, and the timing system, grandstands and multiple other necessities were sold off, putting the chances of bringing racing back in serious doubt.
However, thousands of racing community enthusiasts and even elected officials came together, multiple battles were waged, several commission meetings held, and after a year of battles, the track’s owner’s plans to redevelop the land for use as industrial warehouses had been halted multiple times.
But May 25th sounded the final shot for PBIR, as the county commission approved plans to allow the race track to redevelop the land, liking ending the track’s racing history for good.
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Not long after the verdict came down, rumors started circulating that plans for a new racing facility could be possible. Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter confirmed those rumors, and on the evening of June 21st, a Motorsports Town Hall meeting was held at Baxter’s request.
“This Town Hall will be a platform to engage in a crucial dialogue about the future of motorsports in Palm Beach County. We will discuss potential opportunities, specifically exploring the possibility of a new racetrack on county-owned sites,” Baxter is quoted from her Facebook posting.
The potential 128-acre section of land in question lies about 35 miles south from the PBIR race track in West Palm Beach. “This is fulfilling a need of the residents,” said Baxter. “The reason it’s perfect is because it’s right next to a (Palm Beach County Sheriff) shooting range.
The biggest problem with race tracks is noise, but being right next to the Sheriff’s shooting range, it’s already loud. Putting another loud sport next to an already loud activity makes a lot of sense.”
Madelyn Marconi, who along with her family and now husband Corey Zaron have spent a good bit of time at PBIR, has led the charge to keep enthusiasts informed and possible opportunities for racing on Florida’s east coast alive.
“We’re just going to show up and share our ideas,” said Marconi. “I think it just reiterates the need and want for a raceway and motorsports facility in Palm Beach County.”
The meeting was very well attended, with hundreds of racing enthusiasts, including Marconi and NHRA national event announcer Joe Castello among those in attendance.
It might be early in the process, but it’s encouraging that Florida which has played host to over 50 different race tracks since the 1950s, could be getting their first new track built in over a decade.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Madelyn Marconi and Corey Kramer.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com