NB Racing Reports Given
There were no violations of the Natural Bridge Speedway’s special exception permit during the 2025 season, the first full year of operations under the current owner of the oval dirt track, Amanda Enterprises Speedway LLC.
Amana Bradley presented the speedway’s annual report to the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 12. Bradley noted the many community events the business supported in the past year, including a fundraiser for a fan whose grandmother died and was in need of help. The speedway gave away 72 bikes and numerous toys in a parade.
County Administrator Spencer Suter and Natural Bridge Supervisor David McDaniel were each complimentary of Bradley’s management, specifically mentioning the picking up of trash after races and keeping the dust down.
The speedway’s 2026 season begins March 15 and continues through Nov. 14.
G.W. Fitzgerald presented the annual report for the Natural Bridge Drag Strip to the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28. He said the drag strip had a “successful season” last year, drawing over 5,000 guests and participants.
The county cited the drag strip for two violations – one for not having an ambulance at an event and another for going past curfew July 26, when JJ’s Armdrop didn’t end until 2:30 a.m. Fitzgerald apologized for the violations.
The drag strip’s 2026 season begins March 14 and ends Oct. 3.
Horse Center
Update Presented
Chief Financial Officer Sandra Thomas of the Virginia Horse Center presented the center’s annual report to the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28. Thomas reported that stall usage was up 16 percent, an indication of improving business.
She noted that $750,000 had been raised for footing at the horse center’s different facilities. The parking lot for the Anderson Center was paved, thanks to a budget bill in the General Assembly that was introduced by Del. Terry Austin. Among the other capital improvements that have been achieved are the addition of hot water to two barns and the installation of LED lights.
Among the new shows planned this year is the Virginia High School Association’s rodeo to be held March 5-8.
County Administrator Spencer Suter commented that the horse center appeared to be doing “better than I’ve ever seen it.”
Church Plans
Pavilion
The Marlbrook Baptist Church, at 6926 N. Lee Highway, between Raphine and Fairfield, has plans to build a covered pavilion on the site of the church’s original building off of South River Road.
Pastor Luke Fisher appeared before the Rockbridge County Planning Commission on Feb. 11 to request a special exception permit to build the structure in the Zone AE hatched floodway of the special flood hazard area. According to a document included with the SEP application, the structure “will be designed, connected and anchored to resist floatation, collapse or permanent lateral movement due to structural loads and stresses from flooding equal to the design flood elevation.”
Fisher said the 30-by-60-foot pavilion would be used by the congregation for special occasions such as picnics and homecomings. The building will be constructed on a concrete pad with concrete footers at the post locations.
The original church, long gone, was constructed in 1900. The half-acre parcel is located on the north side of South River Road (Va. 608), approximately .24-of-a-mile southwest of the intersection with McCrorys Hill Road (Va. 709).
The Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the SEP..
