WALL – It’s a sad day for local racing fans. The definitive “roar at the Jersey Shore” now has an expiration date. The Wall Stadium Speedway announced on July 24 that this racing season will be its last.
Just shy of its 70th year, the speedway owner Wall Speedway Properties LLC could give way to developer Pulte Homes, which plans to construct 348 townhouses on the property.
“For 69 years, Wall Stadium Speedway has presented thrilling races for fans to enjoy. Bumper-to-bumper, wheel-to-wheel racing action and wild wrecks! Only 7 miles from the beach, we are the best show at the Jersey Shore!,” reads the speedway’s website.
Located on Route 34 South in Wall Township, Wall Stadium coined itself the “most exciting racetrack” in the state.
However, the track since been “deemed grossly underutilized for decades” by its owners, who note that the majority of the property is made up of parking lots, empty most days.
The expansive property will be put to use by Pulte Homes with the addition of 348 two-bedroom and three-bedroom townhouses, including 70 affordable housing units.
The project has yet to be reviewed by the township Zoning Board of Adjustment.
According to a report by The Asbury Park Press, Wall Township Administrator Jeff Bertrand believes the timing of Pulte Homes’ proposal to be deliberate in order to align with the township’s recent settlement with the state that would require the placement of 1,250 affordable housing units in future development projects.
This isn’t Wall Stadium’s first encounter with imminent closure. In 2005, there was talk of developers buying the site to construct homes and office buildings. In 2008, the speedway was “closed for good,” which only lasted a year.
