The Dallas County Speedway in Urbana, Missouri, will be opening for their 27th season of racing on Friday, April 28. Sadly, it will be the final race held at the longest continuously running dirt racetrack in Missouri.

In a Facebook video on Thursday, second-generation promoter Scotty Allen announced that he and his family had made the difficult decision to close the book on the popular Ozarks area bullring.

"We will not be opening Dallas County Speedway up in 2023. We've had a good run," Allen said.

"It's a tough decision because Dad's been racing since '59, and my entire life has been about this sport. It is going to continue, but it's not going to continue as the promoter of Dallas County Speedway."

Less than 24 hours later, however, Allen returned to make a follow-up announcement on Facebook, stating that due to the outpouring of love and support from family, fans, competitors and employees, the track will host one final event on Friday, April 28.

If the weather is uncooperative, the race will happen May 5 but will not be rescheduled a second time.

Scotty Allen is a long-time resident of Urbana and has been involved in racing for 35 years as a driver on both dirt and asphalt, track owner and chassis builder. He opened Allen Autosports in 2003 and is promoter at the highly successful racetrack which has played host to the USMTS Race of the Year twice.

Last year, Scotty Allen was honored by the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation and inducted into their Hall of Fame. His father, Bill Allen, was inducted in 2009.

In 2021, Bill Allen—a native of Wheatland, Missouri—was named the fifth recipient of the Forrest Lucas Lifetime Achievement Award during the Lucas Oil Speedway awards banquet for his contributions both on and off the track.

Bill Allen's racing story began more than 60 years ago at the old Humansville Speedway. His early racing career was brief as he enlisted and fought for his country in Vietnam. He returned home to Wheatland after his service was complete and, after a nine-year break from racing, resumed a successful and winning career.

In 1996, he bought 20 acres in Urbana and told his wife, Patty, he planned to build a race track. Dallas County Speedway opened in July of 1997 and has been a staple of the area racing scene ever since.

The final night of racing at the Dallas County Speedway happens Friday, April 28. Tentatively, Medieval USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods and USRA Tuners will headline the action, along with Pure Stocks and Midwest Mods.

Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps begin at 7 and racing gets underway at 8. the track is located at 2876 US Hwy 65, Urbana, MO 65767. For more information visit dallascountyspeedway.com.

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