The Richard Petty Driving Experience and the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World will close in late June to make way for transportation improvements.

"Disney has other uses for the property, and they have the right to do that, and we respect that," said Bill Scott, executive vice president of attractions operator Petty Holdings LLC. "It's not without some sadness that we leave Walt Disney World Speedway. We had a great home here."

Disney would not provide details on what transportation projects would require the speedway's closure. The speedway lies south of the Magic Kingdom parking lot and west of World Drive.

Petty Holdings informed employees Wednesday afternoon about the closure. It has about 70 people working at the speedway, including instructors, photographers and people who check in visitors. About half are permanent employees and 12 are full-time, Scott said. The other half work during special events. Some will have the opportunity to transfer to Daytona International Speedway, which also has the Richard Petty Driving Experience, Scott said. Disney said it will also try to find workers jobs elsewhere in the resort.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience, where fans can drive NASCAR cars or ride shotgun at speeds up to 165 mph, opened in 1997. Four years ago, Petty Holdings introduced the exotic-car experience, where people can drive Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches. The driving packages start at $99 and go past $2,500 for a 50-lap experience with an in-car video.

Scott said it would be difficult to find a spot for a new traditional speedway, but Petty Holdings wants to open a road course for another exotic-car attraction in Orlando.


"Frankly, that's become much more popular," he said.

The target date for closure is June 28.