Evergreen Speedway operators tell Snohomish County committee they expanded events, revenue-sharing and capital work

Tracy Hobbs, representing High Road Promotions, told the Snohomish County Planning and Community Development Committee on April 7 that since taking over management of Evergreen Speedway in 2010 the operator instituted a revenue-sharing model and expanded the facility’s calendar and investments.

"Our proposal was unique in that it included, for the first time ever, a revenue sharing platform," Hobbs said, adding that the operator pays the county $1.50 for every ticket sold, including discounted tickets, and also pays utilities and surface-water fees in addition to rent for concession space.

The presentation, delivered by Tracy Hobbs with supplemental remarks from Doug Hobbs, covered the facility’s contract history, capital improvements and economic impact. Hobbs said the operator increased its annual capital-improvement commitment from $20,000 to $30,000 and that "we've currently fulfilled our requirements until the year 2042, as of the end of last year." She also told the committee the operator has exceeded required capital improvements over recent years (transcript phrasing: "over exceeded our capital improvements by half $1,000,000").

Doug Hobbs described major repairs and upgrades undertaken at the nearly 70-acre site, including culvert work near wetlands, repaving the three-eighths- and five-eighths-mile tracks, resurfacing midways and parking, installing water-oil separators, replacing aging concrete barriers, adding LED lighting and creating new suite spaces and containerized refrigeration units that remain county property.

The operators highlighted recent equipment and amenity investments: an approximately 60-by-27-foot video board delivered this spring to support racing and non-racing uses, and a roughly $50,000 JBL marine speaker system that was installed during recent roof work. "That'll be great for entertainment," Doug Hobbs said of the video board.

Hobbs said the Speedway has broadened from seasonal racing into a year-round venue with roughly 30 different non-racing events over the last 15 years — including motocross, concerts, rodeos, 5K runs, car shows and national-scale motorsport weekends such as Formula Drift and the Cars Tour — and that those events bring significant regional visitors and local economic activity.

Committee member Low praised the family atmosphere and new sound system, noting the presence of many young drivers at recent events. Low also asked about parking revenue; Doug Hobbs said parking fees are retained entirely by Snohomish County and estimated that large events can generate $50,000–$60,000 in parking receipts, while Low suggested county receipts from the operation total roughly $500,000 annually (a figure committee members said county staff should confirm).

The presenters said planned near-term projects include replacing wooden grandstand benches with aluminum bleachers, overhauling restroom stalls, adding a driver-pit restroom, and working with the county and the public utility district on electrical upgrades across the facility. The operators also invited council members to a July 4 celebration (the site is an "America 250" designee) and noted ongoing efforts to secure long-term commitments to sustain national touring events.

The committee thanked the presenters and requested a follow-up email with major summer event dates and a list of specific commitments the Speedway needs to support marquee races. The presentation concluded with the committee adjourning its session.