Making plans for a 24-race season stretching from January to November, new ownership at Boyd's Speedway in Ringgold, Ga., plan improvements to "create a track that racers want to come and race at consistently," according to general manager Larry Dismukes.

North Georgia-based Russell Racing, a family-owned operation led by successful entrepreneur Emerson Russell, expects to complete the purchase of the third-mile dirt track from six-year owner David Duplissey and D&M Motorsports by year's end.

Russell, who sold his his flagship ERMC facility services company a few years ago but continues to operate several businesses, raced at the track as a young man, has supported it as a sponsor and spectator and auto racing "is near and dear to his heart, so he's really excited about it," Dismukes said.

The track was operated by Kenny Slayton in the spring of 2020 and, after being shuttered from June through September, reopened in the fall under Riley Hickman, a four-time Southern All Star Series champion. The new ownership on Thursday reached an agreement with Hickman to continue as race director in 2021.

Next season's schedule isn't complete, but weekly races will be on Fridays with divisions including Late Models and two types of Crate Late Models (604 and 602). Along with 24 race events, the track plans 15 Tuesday practices. A 10-race miniseries for points is also planned for weekly drivers. Additionally, the track received allowance from county officials to run as late as 12:30 a.m. on race nights, Dismukes said.

"The most important thing to us right now is we're going to do some work on the infield and do some work on the track itself," Dismukes said, noting the need to solve drainage problems. "We're in the entertainment business ... the first piece of that is putting on a great race, which starts with race car drivers wanting to come and (compete at) the track."

• Senoia (Ga.) Raceway is mourning the death of one of its promoters, Bill Massey, who died Tuesday after a bout with Covid-19. The 73-year-old Douglasville, Ga.’s resident's survivors include his son and fellow Senoia promoter, Mayes Massey. Find a complete obituary at whitleygarner.com.

Editor's note: Updates with Boyd's details and Hickman's position.