Racing fans raved about the new Commonwealth Grandstand at Richmond International Raceway (RIR) as Jimmie Johnson rode to victory May 6 in the Jim Stewart 400.
“Fans have told me there isn’t a better view in racing than sitting up in the new grandstand,” says Keith Green, RIR director of public relations.
The 180-foot grandstand is the tallest structure in Henrico County and approximately two feet higher than the tower at Richmond International Airport. Construction was completed at the end of March and raised the capacity of the raceway from 107,097 to 112,029.
The 7,843-seat project features three new levels: the Lower Mezzanine, the 700-person club section called TORQUE and the Commonwealth Tower. The project also included the removal of 2,911 seats in turns three and four.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on is listening to the fans,” Green says. “They told us they didn’t like those seats in turns three and four, so we removed them. We don’t want fans to ever have a bad experience.”
The Commonwealth Tower is the biggest section of the addition with the highest seat 168 feet up. Green says visitors can see a panoramic view of downtown Richmond and on clear days, all the way to Hopewell.
TORQUE is 16,000 square feet and one of the largest meeting and entertainment spaces in the Greater Richmond area. Local companies have expressed interest in hosting meetings, parties and other events at TORQUE on non-racing days.
All contractors and most subcontractors used on the multimillion-dollar project were from Virginia.
“The view is worth the price of admission,” Green says.
Nick Flanagan tapped in a two-foot birdie putt on the third extra hole in late April to win the Henrico County Open in Glen Allen. The Australian shot a final round 2-under 70 to finish the tournament tied with Bryn Parry (71), Chris Baryla (71) and Roland Thatcher (71) at 13-under 275.
“I’m very happy to perform well under pressure,” said Flanagan, as he celebrated his first Nationwide Tour victory. “One of my goals this year was to win early.” Flanagan received an $81,000 first-place check and moved into eighth on the money list. The top 25 earners receive their PGA Tour card.
“I’m just trying to get to the PGA Tour and I’ve found it is not an easy thing to do,” said Flanagan, who has struggled since turning pro in 2004 after winning the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2003. He failed to gain a PGA Tour or Nationwide Tour card in 2005. “But this definitely helps the cause. I’ve been taking baby steps … and the Nationwide Tour has helped me get my game to the level it needs to be to compete on the PGA Tour.”
Jay Woodson, a former Colonial Athletic Association player of the year at James Madison, faltered over the weekend with back-to-back 76s. Woodson finished tied for 51st at 3-over 291.
Former University of Virginia students James Driscoll and Brian Quackenbush posted mixed results. Driscoll ended in a tie for 46th place while Quackenbush missed the cut.
