Bandimere Family Secures Land in Weld County for New Track Launch

A major move for Colorado drag racing was confirmed this week as the Bandimere family secured a 114-acre parcel in Weld County. John Bandimere Jr. shared the announcement in a video, saying the land near Hudson was officially purchased earlier in the week.

This land, once owned by Rocky’s Autos Inc., is expected to be the future home of a new racing facility. The family described the purchase as the first step in a “complex puzzle,” following the closure of the original Bandimere Speedway after 65 years of events along the Hogback.

The Bandimere name holds deep roots in Colorado motorsport. The original track closed in Morrison in 2023 after hosting more than five decades of drag racing, including the long-running NHRA Mile-High Nationals. For more on the history of drag racing in the U.S., you can explore the NHRA’s official timeline.

That track drew more than 500,000 fans each year during peak years and became a staple for racers nationwide. The relocation plan aims to carry forward the racing tradition started by John Bandimere Sr. and Lorraine Bandimere, who opened the first track in 1958.

Though the land purchase is a key milestone, there are more steps ahead before construction can begin. The family explained that zoning and annexation processes will take time. For details on Weld County’s zoning regulations, visit the Weld County Government portal.

No clear timeline has been set for when those steps will finish, but Bandimere Jr. assured supporters that updates will be shared along the way. Racing fans and members of the local community have been quick to offer encouragement, with many tracking every detail since the speedway’s final event last October.

A map shared in the announcement highlights the purchased area, outlined in blue, as the possible site of the new Bandimere Speedway. The other parcels, still owned by Rocky’s Autos, were marked in red.

The expansion comes at a time when the Bandimere family is focused on honoring their history while adapting to new challenges and seeking ways to grow motorsports in Colorado. Recent developments in NHRA racing, such as Gerber Route 66 winners, underscore the vibrant competition that the family hopes to continue fostering. To learn more about the evolution of motorsports venues, check out this SAE International resource.

During his message, John Bandimere Jr. thanked partners, supporters, and Weld County leaders involved in making the deal possible. He also spoke about the power of the racing community’s prayers and support, mentioning how much it meant to the family during this period of transition.

The family’s public promise to build again has sparked renewed energy across the state’s racing circles. The closure of Bandimere Speedway in Morrison represented the end of a major chapter, but the new land brings hope for a future filled with roar and competition. For further reading on Colorado’s racing heritage, the Denver Public Library’s Western History Collection offers valuable archives.

Fans, racers, and sponsors are watching closely, eager to be part of the journey toward a new facility that could soon host racing events once again. As the zoning process unfolds, the outlook remains positive that the Bandimere legacy will continue on a fresh course north of Denver.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.