2023 Music City Grand Prix
The Music City Grand Prix is moving to the Nashville Superspeedway after three years of running in downtown Nashville.
Race officials say the move was due to construction of a new Titans stadium. Much of the track, stands and team facilities for previous races have been located on the parking lots around Nissan Stadium, where construction of the future stadium will take place.
Officials did not say when the race would return to Nashville, but credited the Titans and Metro for supporting the effort.
The Nashville Superspeedway in Wilson County previously hosted IndyCar races between 2001 and 2008. The Sept. 15 race will be the circuit's season finale, and the track will be the first oval in a decade to decide the series championship, according to a release.
“The Music City Grand Prix has been more than a race," Mayor Freddie O'Connell says in the release. "It’s a festival that celebrates both Nashville and racing. We appreciate Scott Borchetta and Big Machine’s vision and partnership and look forward to the race returning to downtown Nashville in the future. I’ve enjoyed attending all three Music City Grand Prix races and appreciate their continued commitment to Nashville. Racing at the Nashville Superspeedway will add new intrigue to this year’s event.”
Adds Borchetta, chair and founder of title sponsor Big Machine Label Group: “This has no bearing on our great relationship with the Tennessee Titans. The team’s management has been nothing but supportive regarding the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and we fully intend to continue conversations with them and the city of Nashville as to when the right time will be to return to the streets of Nashville.”
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Construction of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2027 NFL season. Construction of other buildings in the surrounding East Bank area will continue for years after that.
“With the significant challenges of the proposed new course and unknowns with the new stadium construction, which has been the center of operations for the first three years of the Grand Prix,” Borchetta said, “there just isn’t the space needed by the race teams — nor the proper access for downtown businesses and residences — to execute the world-class event that is expected by our amazing fans, IndyCar teams and sponsors.”
Andretti Autosport's Kyle Kirkwood won the 2023 Music City Grand Prix. Josef Newgarden, a Hendersonville native who finished fourth in 2023, has emerged as a star on the circuit, winning his first Indianapolis 500 last year.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
