September 1, 2025
Huntsville, AL — A grassroots racing facility in North Alabama is on the verge of shutting down after local government officials informed them that the track’s lease would not be renewed following the 2025 season.
The Huntsville Quarter Midget Association (HQMA) was first established in 1964, with the location of the current 1/20th-mile length track having been set since 2003. The track is part of the NASCAR Youth Series and Dixie Shootout Regional Series.
Throughout the year, the track hosts ‘Arrive-and-Drive’ events, has a regular weekly quarter midget schedule, and is host to several large marquee quarter midget races. Now, the track’s history is approaching the precipice of being lost to time altogether.
“It really started in 2022,” stated HQMA President Robert “Rooster” Killian. “Phil Riddick didn’t feel the lease amount of $900 was at market value.”
Phil Riddick serves as the Madison County Commissioner for District 5, where HQMA is located. Madison County owns the land where the track is built, but Killian stated that the County Commission intended on swapping the land to the city of Huntsville. As a result of the apparent intentions to give ownership of the land to the city, a new lease was not initiated while awaiting the land swap to be completed.
That was the status quo until March of 2025.
It was in March when the HQMA was informed that their lease was being cancelled. County officials padlocked the gate to HQMA, even putting up a ‘no trespassing’ sign. HQMA then learned that a final decision to swap land had not been made. They were also informed that due to the regulatory process of land swapping, it could be years before the City would own the property.
“They sent the letter and we all thought they were cancelling the lease so they could transfer ownership to the city,” said Killian. “Got a meeting [with Riddick], and a lot of discussion went on. [County officials] said that the city wanted the property immediately and that we had to be off of it. Several people in the HQMA had talked with the city and they said that’s not the case, so we were very confused.”
Riddick reportedly felt the lease should be closer to $1200-$1500 a month, a sharp increase from the previous rate of $900 a year. Despite the tension and confusion surrounding the County’s decision in March, a short-term deal was made for the remainder of the 2025 season. HQMA paid the 2025 lease amount of $900 in advance, despite the amount typically being due at the end of the year. HQMA also offered to pay a monthly lease of $1,200 a month starting in 2026, but the County denied the offer to extend the lease past the 2025 season.
With the sudden change in demeanor from Madison County officials towards the HQMA, the intentions behind the swap seem to be in question too. While Riddick has evidently told the HQMA that the City of Huntsville wants the land to expand their public works, no such sentiment from the City has been given towards the HQMA.
HQMA members hoped that agreeing to the $1,200 monthly lease would appease Madison County officials and make things easier for negotiating a new deal for 2026 and beyond. However, the HQMA has reportedly not been able to hear back from Commissioner Riddick. The administrative staff in the Commissioner’s office ultimately reported back with a denial of the 2026 lease.
The uncertainty over HQMA’s future is upsetting for Killian, who feels that a potential closure of the facility would displace a lot of young racers who have little to no options for a local racing alternative.
“These kids racing aren’t ball players. They can’t just go somewhere else and start playing ball,” said Killian. “It’s taking their sport away from them. The track means the world to me, and I do everything I can to support it and make it better.”
Alex Dilworth serves as the HQMA’s PR Representative. For Dilworth, the track is much more than a simple racing facility. Her son, Brody, has been a racer at HQMA for three years. Dilworth says the track and its community have helped Brody substantially.
“We tried other sports and it wasn’t for us. My son has ADHD, so this was something that he’s been able to be involved in. Being able to go to the track, play with other kids, it’s really opened him up. Being able to watch him grow as a person through the racing community has meant a lot to us. He’s built confidence.”
Dilworth also expressed confusion about why the County Commission is eager to fund other kinds of youth sports, but not the HQMA.
“The rec center, football, baseball, dog parks, our county pays for those facilities to maintain them. All they are doing is providing land for us. We pay for everything from utilities to track upkeep to general maintenance. The track pays for it all, plus the rent to be on the property.”
While there are other quarter midget racing facilities in surrounding states, losing the HQMA would leave no options for quarter midget racing in the state of Alabama. The closest quarter midget tracks to Huntsville are in Nashville, Tn. and Cumming, Ga.
A lot of short track talent has emerged from north Alabama, and the HQMA has played a huge role in the continued formation and growth of these local racers. NASCAR racers like Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and others started their careers in quarter midget competition. Many notable NASCAR names raced at HQMA, not to mention the more local short track talent.
Racers such as Jim Wall, Jaxon Bishop, Jackson Boone, Hunter Wright, Christopher Tullis, and others all visited HQMA on their rise toward the top levels of grassroots racing competition.
With things uncertain for the HQMA after 2025, an impactful stage in the upbringing of countless local racers could be lost for good in the Yellowhammer State.
For those who want to get involved, connect with the HQMA at the following links:
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Photo: Jason Reasin
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