Ever since the Tazewell Speedway was carved out of the Cave Springs-Bacchus farmland one thing has remained the same; its loyal fans. Early on, the track was flat and only gravity was used to water its surface as it simply fell out of the tank onto the clay. The race fans loved what they saw from the start and came from miles to watch the action. It wasn't long that the Taz went from a flat track to a banked one. Some purists thought it was a mistake but the drivers came back and so did its fans.

The ultra-fast reputation the track was beginning to have brought even more fans to Claiborne County, Tennessee. Buildings were built and remodeled and torn down over the years but the grandstands just kept growing. The old wooden rails were replaced with steel ones that eventually gave way to both concrete and metal. Through all of that the fans still remained loyal. Ownership has changed no less than seven times but one thing the owners never questioned or worried about was the loyalty of its fans. On Saturday night the dreams of the drivers, car owners and the promoters are fulfilled.

Every year the back stretch wall is full of sponsors and their signs are tied to the fences. There is only one reason that these businesses keep coming back and that is exposure, for they too know that there will be loyal fans in those grandstands and sitting on that comfortable grass just outside of turn four. When the drivers are able to feel the joy of taking a victory and are able to drive into victory lane one of the first things that happens is a salute to the fans. The fan is the fuel that powers this sport and this track that we all know and love and without them the track would sputter then fail to run.

Some of the Tazewell Speedway fans have been around since the track fired up engines for the first time. That alone speaks to the loyalty of the fans. Nowadays the water is blasted on the track by a powerful pump that can wash the windows on the scoring tower but some of the fans that saw the track being watered by gravity flow are still in those grandstands and for that we must proclaim the Tazewell Speedway fans to also be legends of the Taz. Fans used to come from miles to see the Taz come to life and now they come from across the nation to enjoy the high speed chills and thrills provided each and every Saturday night. The Tazewell Speedway fan is a high octane breed of people that provides the air, fuel and spark that keeps the tracks' engine running strong and at a speed that excites us all. Gary Hall and the staff of Tazewell Speedway thanks each and every fan that walks through the gates every time the track takes the locks off. The 2011 season has been no exception. Even through dire economic times like these, the track has still enjoyed great fan support and even witnessed its largest crowds ever during the Lucas Oil race and the World of Outlaws weekend. The Tazewell Speedway fan is certainly a legend.

Thanks fans.