By LEN SAMMONS
New Egypt Speedway owner Fred Vahlsing confirmed to Area Auto Racing News that the sale of the property on Route 539 in New Egypt, N.J., for non-racing use has been secured.
The history book on auto racing at the property, which dates back to 1946, is officially closed. The only exception will be Quarter Midget racing on the inner 1/20th-mile track, which will cease at the end of the season.
“New Egypt Speedway is done. I’m not going to give details, but it’s done,” Vahlsing told AARN by phone Monday morning.
“There are two companies that want it for something other than racing. I’ve already started selling things off that I can’t use. I’m not going to say who is going to buy it or for how much, but it’s done.”
While the sale appears to be only pending, Vahlsing is certain the end has come for New Egypt Speedway, which has operated over the years as Fort Dix and Central Jersey Speedway. Competition has been held on both asphalt and, more recently, dirt surfaces.
“Copart will buy any track they can get. It doesn’t really matter who is going to buy it. There are also other companies that want it for parking: trucks, trailers, boats, whatever,” said Vahlsing.
“The current zoning is good for what they want to do, light industrial, so that won’t be an issue.”
When tracks close, fans and racers usually get one last chance to say goodbye. Unfortunately, Vahlsing said a finale will not be held.
“I can’t. The insurance, health department, state police and other different agencies that do inspections at the beginning of the season take weeks,” said Vahlsing.
“The kids’ Quarter Midget track will stay running until the end of the year. People don’t understand what it takes to open up a track, at least in this town anyway. Others might be more lenient, but not where we are in New Jersey. It’s done.”
New Egypt Speedway, owned by the Grbac family for many years, was acquired at sheriff sale by the Grosso family, who sold it to the group of investors that included Vahlsing, but led by Bill Miscoski.
While Vahlsing wasn’t a racing guy but a local businessman, Miscoski was a racer. When his family had sold its interest in the nearby Cream Ridge Golf Course to the State of New Jersey in 2006 for $14 million through the Green Acres preservation program, he invested his money in the speedway.
“Bill was a racer here; I wasn’t. I passed the track four or five times a day going to my business (EME) and never had any interest whatsoever in it,” said Vahlsing.
Over the years, Vahlsing bought out Miscoski and became the sole owner of the property.
“After the third year he couldn’t pay his management fees anymore, and I had to take it over. I was either going to demolish it at that point or see if I could make it work.”
Vahlsing thankfully decided to see if he could make it work, extending the life of the speedway by 20 years.
“The employees at the time were really good, had the passion for the sport, so I tried it, and here we are 20 years later,” said Vahlsing.
“I tried everything, had people that were interested in buying it for a race track, but they left with tails between their legs. They didn’t realize what it took to run a racetrack.
“It’s a shame; I wanted to sell it as a racetrack. Offered to sell it for less for someone who would, but it didn’t happen. You’ll never build another one in this state either; that’s the sad part of it for racing.”
Several successful businessmen with racing ties had shown interest in purchasing the property in recent years with the intention of keeping New Egypt Speedway operating as a racetrack. The $8.5 million asking price, however, was a major deterrent, particularly after the lucrative Amazon trailer-storage operation that had occupied part of the property was no longer part of the equation.
“The town didn’t support me, said I had to have a curfew for the trailers coming in and out, so we lost that income,” said Vahlsing.
In a recent AARN article, Vahlsing said he was attempting to secure the future of the speedway through a land preservation effort with Ocean County.
“The only way they would take the land would be if we tore down the speedway; they strictly only wanted land,” said Vahlsing.
“I tried and tried. A lot of people enjoyed this sport. When you tear it down, it’s gone forever. You’ll never be able to build it up again.”
Sadly, the record books will be closed with a rainout of the All Star Shootout Modified and Sportsman features on September 27. Jax Yohn (Sportsman 50) and Buddy Schweibinz (MASS 305 Sprints) were the final main event winners at events held September 25, 2025. Ryan Godown secured the final Modified race on September 13 when he clinched his seventh track title.
“I tried to make it work for 20 years. I changed motor rules, built Sprint cars with crate motors and starters in them,” said Vahlsing.
“Did everything I could, but we couldn’t get the fan support we needed. Without their support, you can’t survive. I feel horrible for the fans, the racers who did support the track.”
Vahlsing felt the lack of support in recent years was also a factor in the cost involved for racers and fans.
“Racing is oversaturated. Racing every week, it comes to a point that many people just can’t afford it,” said Vahlsing. “Even though it’s only $20 or $30 to get in for fans, there is gas getting there and getting home. I tried to give my racers time off, but that didn’t work either.”
Vahlsing said he is also selling Vahlco Wheels, but will continue with his No. 323 race team driven by Johnny Bangs, who currently is running his racing wheel business for him.
“I’m getting old. I’m 73 years old now; each year that goes by after 70, you feel it more and more,” said Vahlsing.
“I still work, still run equipment at my construction company. It’s not like I’m selling it because of my age, but it wasn’t profitable, never was. Johnny is still racing at Bridgeport.”
At what was the final event, the second day of the All Star Shootout, the Modified and Sportsman features were rained out with the fields set. The plan was to make up those features in 2026, but during the off-season, Vahlsing decided not to reopen the speedway.
During the off-season, the 2025 point fund was also not paid.
“We’ll clean that up after the sale,” said Vahlsing.
Vahlsing admitted running a speedway was difficult, with growing costs, dwindling revenue and the week-to-week battle with weather issues.
“There are a lot of factors involved that people don’t realize,” said Vahlsing.
“If you want to see Wall and Bridgeport continue, fans and racers need to support them, and they’ve got to do more than just weekly racing. It’s a very fickle business that needs to be fixed. The question is how long others can withstand it just on the passion before they become like me.”
Vahlsing also warned the racing community to be kind to the promoters who remain.
“People have got to stop screaming and Facebooking these promoters. Every owner gets trashed over the internet even if you’re the best,” said Vahlsing.
“It hurts, believe me. I guess according to them I didn’t know what I was doing, but I did keep it open for 20 years. Everyone needs to support the tracks that are open and stop trashing the owners, employees, and people who run the races. You need to help them, because they need it to survive.”