After Buffalo Valley Dragway Appeared to be Shutting Its Gates for Good in October 2025, The Drag Strip Re-Opens for 2026 With A New Lease and a Familiar Name – Middle Tennessee Dragway
We’re not even a quarter of the way into 2026, and already there’s been news on multiple race tracks either closing or re-opening.
In the case of a pair of Tennessee race tracks, Jackson Dragway and River Road Raceway, after an announcement they would continue operating in 2026, now the gates are closed on both facilities.
But another Tennessee track, Middle Tennessee Dragway (a.k.a. Buffalo Valley Dragway), might be able to make the best of their second chances. After announcing the 2025 season would be the last, the track is getting new life in 2026, with a pair of events already held in February.
Originally opening in March of 1965 as Middle Tennessee Dragway, the eighth-mile track that is located in Buffalo Valley was also referred to as ‘The Valley’ and also ‘Buffalo Valley Drag Strip.’ It later officially changed names to Buffalo Valley Dragway.
After a storied history with over 60 years of racing, the track announced that 2025 would be its final season, as the owners Gary and Theresa Huddleson, were retiring. The final event was due to October 25th, 2025, and it seemed that the track was in danger of closing for good.
But now the track has new life, as the Huddlesons have leased the property to the Phann family for 2026, with father and son Mack and Trent Phann running the show.
“Gary Huddleson has ran the track since he was 16, and wanted to travel and spend more time with his grand kids,” said Trent. Originally renting or selling the track wasn’t a consideration, as the track is located in the middle of the Huddleson’s family farm.
But then a change of heart happened. “Gary randomly came by my dad’s car lot, and said he would rent it to us since I have raced there since I was 9 in junior dragsters,” Trent said.
The track has already held a pair of events, with a schedule through April 2026 posted, with brackets races and test and tunes to start the year. “We’re glad to be able to have to opportunity to run it,” said Trent.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Middle Tennessee Dragway / Buffalo Valley Dragway, Lifetime Photography, and Mack Phann.
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