AFTON – The Afton Fairgrounds Speedway, located at 46 East Main Street in Afton, is under new management for the 2024 season.

Afton Driving Park and Agricultural Association (Afton Fairgrounds Speedway) Share Holder and Board President Rhonda Barringer said the contract between the association and previous Speedway Manager Ron Ford came to an end due to contract rules and regulations not adhered to. She said the contract was violated.

Barringer said there were issues needing to be rectified and they were communicated through calls and a letter sent in July, but nothing was done. The garbage needed to be dumped within 72 hours but she said it took about three weeks and after the last race, bags were ripped apart by animals.

She said fences were not removed by the company so the midway could set up, and volunteers did it. She said lawn mowing wasn’t kept up and bathrooms were not cleaned.

“We take pride in the appearance of the fairgrounds and it is used for other events,” she said. “A board meeting was scheduled for October 16 to discuss the situation.”

Barringer said, “We had the option to terminate on the violations and that’s what the board did. Ford's contract was to end on the [October] 31st but because of the violations, he was terminated before that. We tried to work with Ford, but this year it got to the point where decisions had to be made. Its a business transaction, not personal.”