Kentucky Speedway buying land for more parking

The rows of tobacco and corn growing on land across from Kentucky Speedway will be replaced next year by rows of cars. This week the speedway bought a large tract near Ky. 35 in Gallatin County from Jo Wischer. The 84-year-old Florence resident wouldn't talk Thursday about how much the speedway paid – which according to a deed filed with the Gallatin County Clerk's office was $1.5 million – for the "couple hundred acres," but said she knows how it intends to use the property. "The speedway will be taking care of parking with it," Wischer said. A fleet of earth-moving equipment was staged next to the weather-beaten tobacco barn on the 219-acre property formerly owned by Wischer. The tract includes 144 acres north of Interstate 71. Kentucky Speedway general manager Mark Simendinger declined comment Thursday except to say that details would be forthcoming next week. Cincinnati Enquirer