Celebrated as the most renowned dirt track in the Southwest, racing enthusiasts will soon be converging on Mesquite for one last weekend of racing excitement at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. The iconic racetrack is on the verge of extinguishing its lights after a remarkable 50-year run. This journey commenced in 1973 when a father and son embarked on a trip to Mesquite.

The D-shaped, high-banked, half-mile track, adorned with its distinctive tacky black clay surface, was meticulously designed to offer unobstructed views to all 10,000 seats. After five years of painstaking effort, Lanny Edwards made the decision to sell the property to a consortium of investors. Another factor motivating Edwards to make this choice was the expanding urban development and growth in this unincorporated area of Dallas County, just beyond the city limits.

As part of its farewell weekend of races, Devil’s Bowl Speedway is set to host the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, a series with deep historical ties to this legendary venue. Edwards expresses his hope that the community will remember his family for their honorable treatment of the racing community.

Overall, this shows a throwback to a now-bygone era. These days, racetracks aren’t as common, and for those who like watching races in the Dallas community, this closure will come as bad news.