Lawsuit Targets Effort to Ban Racing at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

Former racer Neil Chaffin files lawsuit challenging proposed ballot measure that would prioritize affordable housing over motorsports at historic track.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A lawsuit has been filed by former racer Neil Chaffin challenging an effort to effectively ban motorsports at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. The proposed ballot measure would revise language from a 2011 referendum that currently prioritizes auto racing at the site, replacing it with a focus on affordable and workforce housing. Supporters of the speedway believe this is a direct attempt to remove racing from a property that has hosted it for over a century. The legal fight revolves around claims that the ballot petition contains errors and misleading language.

Why it matters

The Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway has deep roots in American stock car racing and has long been connected to the growth of NASCAR. A ban on racing at the site would be a major blow to motorsports in the region and remove a historic venue that has hosted Cup Series events in the past. The fight over the speedway's future has become a significant local issue tied to development and the preservation of the track's legacy.

The details

The lawsuit filed by Neil Chaffin targets individuals involved with the anti-racing effort, including former Metro legal director Saul Solomon and political strategist Mike Kopp. The suit claims the ballot proposal incorrectly references the Tennessee State Fair, which moved to Wilson County in 2021, even though the language instructs the Nashville Fair Board to continue overseeing something no longer under its authority. The legal challenge argues the proposal is confusing and should not move forward. If the ballot effort survives the legal challenge, organizers would still need to gather roughly 50,000 signatures from Davidson County voters to appear on the November ballot.

  • The lawsuit was filed this week, challenging the effort to ban racing at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
  • The Tennessee State Fair moved to Lebanon in Wilson County in 2021 after changes in state law.

The players

Neil Chaffin

A former racer who filed the lawsuit challenging the effort to ban racing at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

Saul Solomon

The former Metro legal director who is involved with the anti-racing effort.

Mike Kopp

A political strategist who is involved with the anti-racing effort.

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

A historic racetrack that has hosted NASCAR Cup Series events and is now at the center of a debate over its future.

Speedway Motorsports

A company that has been working on a plan to renovate the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and potentially bring NASCAR national touring events back to the site.

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What they’re saying

“The Tennessee State Fair Board, a Davidson County body, has no authority to ban any activity in Wilson on the premises of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, located in Wilson County, Tennessee.... Because of these deficiencies, the Petition in its current form is impermissibly confusing.”

— Neil Chaffin, Plaintiff (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

If the ballot effort survives the legal challenge, organizers would still need to gather roughly 50,000 signatures from Davidson County voters to appear on the November ballot. Additionally, a state-level effort is underway, as Tennessee representative Jake McCalmon recently introduced House Bill 1660 to protect racetracks from legal action based solely on noise complaints if the track existed before surrounding development.

The takeaway

The fight over the future of the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway has become a significant local issue, pitting the track's long history and connection to NASCAR against efforts to prioritize other development goals like affordable housing. The legal battle and potential ballot measure highlight the broader tensions around preserving historic venues and balancing community needs in rapidly changing urban areas.