On Friday, Coastal Plains Raceway announced that they have entered into a partnership with Speedway Plus Productions LLC to manage racing operations of the track formerly known as New River All-American Speedway in Jacksonville, NC. 

The D-shaped oval will re-open its gates for the first time on August 9 before welcoming the SMART Modified Tour for the Cardinal 99, the first-half of a SMART Modified Tour “Beach Trip” double-header weekend on Friday, August 29. 

Coastal Plains has held several names in its history, including the most recent, New River All-American Speedway. Earlier this year Anthony Goodyear announced the track’s closure. That news left the August 29 SMART Modified Tour race in limbo. The SMART Beach Trip is a Friday and Saturday Labor Day weekend double-header between Coastal Plains track and nearby Carteret County Speedway in Swansboro, NC.

"We're excited to bring new energy and professionalism to Coastal Plains Raceway," said Steve Zacharias, Managing Partner of Speedway Plus Productions LLC. "Our mission is to create a first-class experience for fans, drivers, and sponsors—one that celebrates the tradition of short track racing while embracing innovation and community engagement."

Zacharias and his group are owners of Florence Motor Speedway in South Carolina. The SMART Modified Tour is familiar with his family and race tracks, as the Tour has traditionally opened its season in Florence, South Carolina. 

“We have been working with Steve Zacharias and his group since the New River’s closure,” said SMART Modified Tour CEO Chris Williams. “Coastal Plains is an excellent track for our Modifieds to race on. We hate seeing any track become a Lost Speedway and are grateful for this group coming in there to get it back active.”

“Our Pace-O-Matic SMART Beach Trip is a destination double-header that allows the teams, their families and racing fans to come check out two great races in one-trip. Most of our pit area stays in the area on Sunday and Labor Day Monday to have a beach vacation. The local beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country and the seafood is top-notch. All of this combined with the thrill of Modified racing makes it a weekend you can not pass up.”

The first race of the SMART Beach Trip is scheduled for Friday August 29 at Coastal Plains Raceway in Jacksonville, NC for the “Cardinal 99.”  After that race, teams will make the 45-minute tow to the Emerald Coast of North Carolina to the unique Carteret County Speedway for a Saturday in Swansboro, NC and the traditional “Carteret Clash” 99-lapper. 

Both races of the SMART Beach Trip, and the entire season of the SMART Modified Tour are streamed live on FloRacing.