The clay is set, and a promoter is finally on-board as the Greater Cumberland Raceway set in Cumberland, Maryland, is set to have cars racing on the track in April 2017.

Cars will hit the dirt track for a practice race on April 8, with the first official race set for the next weekend.

After years of disappointing seasons and talks of shutting the speedway down, with the help of the county, Todd Brode turned passion into action, and is now the new promoter.

"This is just something I am passionate about. I have no experience but with the support of everybody I have, and I have a great group of people behind me. I think we could pull this off," said Todd Brode, new promoter of the Greater Cumberland Raceway.

County officials said they couldn't be happier to see racing return.

"People driving from 40 to 50 to 60 miles to come to races here, chances are they are going to buy gasoline here. They are going to stop and buy a meal here," said Bill Valentine, Allegany County Commissioner. "It’s a great form of entertainment and it is also a great form of advertisement. Those cars can't be on the track unless there are a lot of names on the side of it."

Residents are working to create fundraisers and volunteering to help restore the track.
The county has made a deal with the promoter for 16 races with the potential for more next year.

"I just want it to continue for generations on," said Brode. "I just want for people to come out and give them something to do, bring their kids out to do it and race some day."

A fundraiser race car show and swap meet event is set for this Saturday on Bedford Road in Cumberland.