With an agreement now finalized to reopen Southside Speedway, Chesterfield officials and the track’s new operating group took a victory lap on Tuesday to mark the milestone.

As one of the many people who grew up on Friday nights at Southside Speedway, the track holds a special place in my heart' — Lin O’Neill

Friday night racing is set to return to the Richmond area and jumpstart a bold new vision for Southside Speedway. At the direction of the Board of Supervisors, the Chesterfield Economic Development Authority has finalized a 20-year ground lease-to-purchase agreement for Southside Speedway.

Chesterfield County last week finalized a 20-year lease-to-purchase agreement for Competitive Racing Investments, an investor group, to take over Southside Speedway. Why it matters: The deal will bring Friday night car racing back to Chesterfield for the first time in six years.

After nearly five years of silence, the roar of engines and the cheers from racing fans will fill the air at Southside Speedway again. " "It was a Friday night rush," said former racer Eddie Johnson recalled.