Winston Salem Times

When the new racing season kicks off at Bowman Gray Stadium on April 23, fans and drivers will be in for a pleasant surprise.

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines was on hand Tuesday to mark the completion of a $9 million renovation to the NASCAR race track and football field that serves as the home turf for Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). Fans will also experience upgraded amenities.

"We spent $9 million, folks, to make this a great new facility," Joines said in a news report by WGHP this week. The four-year project was funded through the city. 

Racecar drivers who have already spent time doing laps on the new track have provided good feedback so far, Bowman Gray Racing promoter Gary Garrison said in the report. 

But more importantly, the renovations should help in attracting fans to the events.

"You've got to do something special to get people out of the living room and into the live events," Garrison said. "With nice clean restrooms, good concessions, good food, good product, clean facility, they don't mind something they can bring their family to and feel safe."

The regrading of the football field, new flooring in some rooms and hallways of the athletic department, and new heating and cooling system should help WSSU with its recruiting efforts.

"The field itself is actually flat now," WSSU offensive coordinator Kameron Smith told WGHP. "That was a big thing when I was playing. It's like you couldn't see across the field."

The new restrooms, better seating and upgraded concession stands are expected to boost the overall fan experience to keep them coming back. 

"I want them to go crazy, I want them to cheer," Smith said. "I want them to bring that Ram pride."

Head coach Robert Massey said the renovations should return the WSSU stadium to its former glory.

"Twenty years ago when they were doing a survey for Division II...WSSU and Bowman Gray Stadium was considered to be in the top three," he told WGHP. "So with this renovation, this new field if you will, we should be back in that top three, and it's going to help us with recruitment."

Massey is also hoping the improvements will get the attention of NCAA officials so that the school can host the NCAA Division II championship one day.