Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, KY received an absolute deluge of rainfall this weekend, and some photos have begun to surface (no pun intended) of the aftermath of Mother Nature’s shenanigans.  The track was to host this weekend’s NMCA Quick Fuel Technology Muscle Car Nationals, but was canceled in advance on Thursday afternoon with the heavy rains and thunderstorms in the forecast.  Even then, no one could have foreseen the outcome of said forecast on the facility.

As you can see, the water is up to just under the crossover bridge that stands some 15 feet high, and is close to covering the pit side grandstands and top end scoreboards. The water, which is coming from the overflowing nearby river, is rising at a rate of 8 inches an hour and has yet to reach its crest.  Many of the restrooms, food stands, and small buildings/shacks have already been washed way in the rivers current, and other damage to light poles and fences can be seen in the photos.  And unfortunately, underneath all that water there is certainly far more damage.  I’ve seen this beautiful facility take on some water over the years, but like most, certainly couldn’t imagine it being under this much water.

The Bowling Green area received its highest ever recorded single rainfall event over the weekend, one that is considered to be a 200-year occurrence.  10.25 inches of rain was recorded between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, nearly two inches higher than the previous two-day record of 8.3 inches in 1924.

Considering the location of the racetrack situated right next to the river, the track likely (or hopefully) has some form of flood insurance but nonetheless, we really feel for Dallas Jones and his staff on the sad and unfortunate situation that they have zero control over.  Once the water recedes, they are looking at a lot of mess to clean up and damage to repair.