Pikes Peak International Raceway has been a fixture in both the amateur and professional racing communities for nearly 30 years, but its closure has left fans concerned that racing-specific spaces are becoming increasingly limited.
“PPIR is more than just a racetrack to me,” said Stephany Barns, a car enthusiast and drift driver. “It was where I met my friends I have today, even leading me to my significant other.”
That is why the raceway’s planned closure has hit so hard.
Pikes Peak International Raceway announced May 19 that 2026 will be the final season for motorsports at its Fountain property, which is slated for future mixed-use redevelopment. The 2026 season is currently scheduled to run through Oct. 18, though organizers have not identified a single final event.
PPIR opened in 1997 and became one of Colorado’s best-known motorsports venues, hosting Indy Racing League events, NASCAR national series competitions and years of amateur racing, festivals and car-community gatherings.
The track’s announcement said the closure does not necessarily mean the end of all PPIR events. Organizers said they are exploring opportunities to move select automotive lifestyle events and festivals to other venues, with more announcements expected later in 2026.
For many drivers and fans, though, a relocated event cannot fully replace the place itself.
“That they don’t care about us now or the future of motorsports for generations to come,” Barns said. “They would rather sell out than find someone to take over that does love and want a good future for Colorado motorsports. They sold out our passions.”
Barns grew up around racing. Her parents are from Michigan, where she said American cars and drag racing were part of the culture. Her father had a 1969 Camaro that he built himself and raced after the family moved to Georgia in 1996.
“I grew up around drag racing,” Barns said. “There was plenty of time when I spent helping to pass tools, hold parts in place and bleed brakes on the drag car.”
In 2017, a friend introduced her to drifting, and she quickly fell in love with the sport.
“That’s when I knew I wanted to do more with cars than just drive them to car meets,” she said.
PPIR became the place where that interest turned into community.
“It’s more than a track,” Barns said. “It’s my Disney World, where I can forget life and enjoy the moments.”
Amanda Smith, another member of Colorado’s car scene, said PPIR has served as a third place for many people.
“PPIR has been a second home to me and to a lot of other people,” Smith said. “We have made friends that are like family at that track.”
Smith said racetracks matter because they give drivers a controlled place to build skills.
“Race tracks hold a special value for drivers that many people probably don’t take advantage of,” Smith said. “They are a safe and legal place to learn the limits of your vehicle and build your skills as a driver.”
That safety concern came up repeatedly among people in the racing community. When legal venues close, drivers have fewer places to practice, compete or gather away from public roads.
“I think it’s really disheartening,” Smith said. “Watching the few places where you can practice racing safely and legally get shut down. It’s something that can make it feel like the world is against you.”
The PPIR closure also worries organizers who see the track as part of a broader ecosystem for Colorado car culture. Steve Clark, owner of Cars and Coffee Colorado, said he reacted to the news with “shock, disappointment and surprise.”
“It was bad enough to hear about Bandimere,” Clark said, “but with PPIR closing down, it seems like the racing options are diminishing.”
Bandimere Speedway closed at the end of the 2023 racing season after 65 years in Morrison. Its owners have said they plan to relocate, but the loss of the original Thunder Mountain site remains fresh for many racing fans.
Clark said Colorado still has other motorsports venues, including smaller drag strips in Pueblo, Grand Junction and Julesburg and a new one-eighth-mile drag strip in Dacono. But he said Bandimere and PPIR had a different kind of visibility.
“Fewer venues reduce the options for large, race-related events,” Clark said. “Bandimere and PPIR were huge, physically and in spirit.”
For Courtney Davis, co-owner of Clutch Kickin’ Cuties, the PPIR announcement felt almost impossible to believe.
“At first, I could not believe it,” Davis said. “I was in shock and denial.”
Davis’ group has been active at PPIR, including hosting Ladies Drift Day events meant to teach drifting and share motorsports with more women. PPIR also became part of Davis’ personal life. She got married at the racetrack and the news left her grieving.
“I cried,” Davis said. “It feels like losing a piece of my world.”
PPIR has not yet announced where future events might go. That uncertainty is part of what has unsettled fans. A relocated event may keep part of the PPIR name alive, but it cannot fully replace the tunnel, the track, the memories and the community built around it.
“It’s home to me,” Barns said. “It created its own community. As soon as you cross through that tunnel, no matter what’s going on on the outside, everyone comes together.”
