Local and state dignitaries pose for a photo with the Deery family on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, after signs were unveiled renaming part of Forest Hills Road as Jody Deery Way. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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LOVES PARK — The Rockford Speedway said Wednesday that this upcoming season would be the last in its 76-year history.

The roughly 50-acre property will be transitioned to HJS Development for commercial development, the Speedway said in a news release.

The Speedway will host more than 50 events this season before closing for good on Oct. 29.

“For years we have watched the surrounding area evolve into a vibrant retail corridor, this day has been coming and while it’s great for the city, it stings for the thousands of fans and racers who have made Rockford Speedway their ‘family’ for generations,” Rockford Speedway General Manager David Deery said in a news release. “We know this will be the last year for our major events losing use of the property in front of the Speedway along (Illinois 173) as that area will be developed first, with the track itself remaining until further land sales.”

The city of Loves Park and the Speedway set the stage for potential redevelopment last April when a new tax-increment finance district was drawn around the Rockford Speedway and surrounding land. Such districts allow for governments to offer incentives for development.

The adjoining banquet and convention facility, Forest Hills Lodge, which was built in 1977, will close on June 1. The staff is working with customers to relocate booked events. The building will be dismantled to accommodate street and utility infrastructure.

Related: Loves Park approves TIF District to incentivize Rockford Speedway redevelopment
A proposed tax-increment finance district in Loves Park. (Image provided by city of Loves Park)

“This is a sad day for the racing community and our Speedway family. Generations of families have been involved – racing, watching, working – and to see it come to an end breaks my heart,” Speedway President Susan Deery said in a news release. “We are very proud of the contribution the Speedway has made to the racing industry, as the starting spot for so many in racing and business, and the impact this place has had on the greater state line community, but it doesn’t take away the sadness.”

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Jody and Hugh Deery bought an interest in the Speedway in 1959 and gained sole ownership in 1967, according to Rockford Register Star archives. Hugh died in 1984, and Jody took over running the business until she was in her mid-90s.

Jody Deery died in June at age 97. A stretch of road in front of the Speedway was renamed in her honor last year.

All of the Deery children — Gunner, Ted, Jack, Susan, Tom, Brad, Chuck and David – had duties at the Speedway over the years. It’s now run by David and Susan.

The Speedway released its 2023 schedule, but said it is subject to change. That’s because multiple people reached out to the family after Wednesday’s announcement to ask for a way to be involved in the final season.

You can see the schedule here.


This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.

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