Jackson Dragway In Tennessee To Close

Don Baskin, the business entrepreneur and veteran drag racer who took over ownership of Tennessee’s Jackson Dragway in 2023, announced Monday his intentions to close the 58-year-old racing facility.

“We have made the decision to close Jackson Dragway and River Road Raceway. We did not reach this decision easily, but after much prayer and discussion, we know in our hearts this is the right move. We are thankful for those who have supported us and our crew and to the ones who have always tried to help and be positive. We love drag racing and we love our racing family, but this is our final chapter. We are thankful for the seasons we got to enjoy with you all and we wish each of you all the best,” representatives of the multi-purpose venue said in a prepared statement.

“I’ve had a lot of great times during this journey, but I have reached a point in my life where I am realizing how much I am missing out on in my personal life,” Baskin added in a personal message. “The most important thing to me is spending time with my wife, my kids, and my precious grand babies. We will be having our 15th grandbaby in just a few weeks. My family and my love for them is my top priority and I don’t want to miss another second. The good times go by too fast and I am realizing how much I have missed out on in the last few years. Thank you all for supporting us and thank you to my crew for always having my back and the love we all share. You will always be family to me. I have prayed about this for a very long time and I know with all my heart this is God’s plan for me and my family. Thanks again to everyone.”

Baskin, operator of a highly successful truck and equipment sales business in Covington, Tennessee, is a many-time drag racing champion, including multiple NMCA class titles. Baskin made a number of key facility improvements at Jackson, including a new racing surface and expanded paved pit parking. Said Baskin at the time of the acquisition: “I want people to know how much fun it is to drag race — I wanted to give something back to the people.”

Opened in 1967, Jackson Dragway is an 1/8-mile strip located a short drive off I-40 between Memphis and Nashville. The facility recently suffered tragedy when a 74-year-old racer was killed in an on-track accident.