by Bobby Kimbrough on April 15, 2011

Todd "Bubba the Love Sponge" Clem. (Photo from orbitcast.com)

Longtime dirt track racing fanatic and driver, Bubba “The Love Sponge” Clem, and a group of investors closed a deal on the purchase of “Florida’s oldest track.”

Ocala Speedway opened in 1952 as a clay/dirt oval and ran for 45 as a dirt track venue. The track was converted to asphalt for a brief 10 year period before it was returned to the clay surface in 2008.

USAC, World of Outlaws, ASCS and UDLMS are a few of the sanctioning bodies that routinely make stops at the track annually.

After the Monster truck show scheduled for this weekend, the track will shut down for some minor changes and relaunch with a grand opening. The first race will be a $5,000 to win late model race named for the shock jock’s following; The First Annual Bubba Army Open.

“I obviously bought this place as an investment, but also want to give back to the racers. I myself have raced here and other tracks in Florida and outside Florida for 10 years, and for the most part track owners are greedy scum-bags. They want to make a great living at the expense of the racers. Very few track owners want to give back. Well, those days are over at my track,” said Bubba.

Information on Ocala Speedway and the transition to new ownership can be found at the track’s new website, www.Bubbaracewaypark.com, which will be active next week.

You can follow Bubba the Love Sponge on the Bubba Radio Network. Radio stations are listed on www.BTLS.com, www.CLEMRACING.com and www.BUBBARAW.com.

 http://www.onedirt.com/news/bubba-the-love-sponge-buys-ocala-speedway/