Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis is a quarter-mile, high-banked dirt oval with a gumbo surface, known as “The Ditch.” The track has operated since 1949 and holds races on Saturdays, with schedule exceptions possible.
- Address: 151 Legion Rd., West Memphis, AR
- Usual race day: Saturday, with exceptions for other days or no-race dates
- Usual timing: gates at 6:00, hot laps at 6:30 and races at 7:30
- Tickets: prices vary by race; bring cash
Finding Riverside International Speedway
Riverside International Speedway is at 151 Legion Rd., just west of the Mississippi River and Memphis, Tennessee. The speedway describes the track as a quarter-mile, high-banked dirt oval with a gumbo surface; locals and race fans also call it “The Ditch.”
The track says it was established in 1949 and is Arkansas’s oldest continuously operated dirt track. The National Park Service lists Riverside Speedway in West Memphis as a National Register of Historic Places asset.
From I-40 or I-55, take Broadway to reach the track. The venue is accessible from Broadway.
Checking the race and event schedule
The regular pattern is Saturday racing, with exceptions for other days or no-race dates. Check the official site before you go for the schedule and any changes to the usual timing.
Gates usually open at 6:00, hot laps begin at 6:30 and races start at 7:30. Officials may move these times back 30 minutes during excessive heat.
Tickets and entry information
Ticket prices vary by race special, and the speedway accepts cash only: credit cards and checks are not accepted. For current prices, contact the track office at 901-840-1970.
Both east- and west-side ticket offices sell general admission and pit passes. Grandstands sit on both sides, joined by a concrete walkway. Concessions, merchandise and beer stands are available on both sides, and a children’s play area is on the east side.
The east gate locks after races begin and opens at the end of the night to let race-car haulers and trailers leave. If you arrive after racing starts, keep this gate arrangement in mind when choosing your entrance.
Getting to the track from West Memphis
From Deluxe Inn, Riverside International Speedway is about a 26-minute walk or a four-minute drive. For the driving approach, use Broadway from I-40 or I-55.
For broader local transport details, getting around West Memphis and Memphis covers the area. The speedway’s public information does not give a general spectator parking fee, so contact the track if parking arrangements will affect your plans.
FAQs
When are races held at Riverside International Speedway?
The regular pattern is Saturday racing, with exceptions for other days or no-race dates. Usual gates, hot laps and race start times are 6:00, 6:30 and 7:30, with possible adjustments during excessive heat.
How much are Riverside International Speedway tickets?
Prices vary by race special. Bring cash because the track does not accept credit cards or checks.
Where is Riverside International Speedway?
The track is at 151 Legion Rd. in West Memphis, Arkansas, just west of the Mississippi River and Memphis, Tennessee.
Can you buy pit passes at the track?
Yes. Both the east- and west-side ticket offices sell pit passes as well as general admission tickets.