XENIA — Changes are coming to the historic Kil-Kare Raceway as it was recently sold to the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).
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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the IRHA announced its purchase on Monday.
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Kil-Kare has been a staple in Xenia since the 1950s.
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General Manager Ron Vance said five generations of his family have pulled through the gates to race nearly every weekend.
“My dad started racing, I started racing, my kids then, now my grandkids,” Vance said.
Racing is a way of life for Vance.
“My dad raced his whole life, and I was at the track in my mom’s belly before I was born,” Vance said.
It’s the same for drag racer Dean Karns, better known as “Disco Dean.”
“A racetrack is number one, a way of life,” Karns said.
He started racing when he was just 5 years old.
“Kil-Kare has been a lifelong establishment and a childhood memory for me. I’ve been coming to Kil-Kare as long as I can remember,” Karns said.
Now he gets paid to race across the country on a national television show.
“To be able to do what I love and make money at it, it’s just a true blessing,” Karns said.
Like others, Karns had questions about Kil-Kare’s sale and the new owners’ plans for the property.
Vance said the plan is to update and add more stands for people to watch the races. They also plan to update the pit stop area.
“IHRA is boosting up the drag community, they are spending a bunch of money, and they are revamping the rink,” Vance said. “It’s a family atmosphere, it’s all about having fun.”
The oval track is “not going anywhere,” Vance said.
Karns said he plans to make a pit stop at Kil-Kare soon and is excited to see the changes.
“Bring the life back into racing, bring some things up to date, you know,” Karns said.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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