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On January 11, 1968, president of the Western Sintering Company, John Rector, announced plans to build a {{Convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} tri-oval racing facility named "Tri-City Raceways". Initial plans for the facility included the tri-oval, a dirt motocross track within the tri-oval's infield, and 4,000 grandstand seats. In addition, newly-appointed track manager Jerry Wagner also announced near-future master plans, which included plans to construct a dragstrip and a sports car track layout.[{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1968 |title=Motorcycle, Car Racetrack Slated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-motorcycle-car-racetrac/195445981/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=3}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1968 |title=Auto Racing Complex Set In Tri-Cities |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-auto-racing-complex-set/195446379/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=26}} {{Open access}}] Groundbreaking on Tri-City Raceway occurred on March 11,[{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1968 |title=(untitled) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-untitled/195446867/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=15}} {{Open access}}] and the first events were held at the track on April 28 on the tri-oval.[{{Cite news |date=April 28, 1968 |title=Late-Model Cars, Jalopies To Race In Tri-Cities |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-late-model-cars-jalopie/195446893/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=34}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Rick |date=May 10, 1968 |title=Tri-City Raceway Blossoms In W. Richland Wastelands |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-tri-city-raceway-blossom/195446912/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=21}} {{Open access}}] The first events on the track's motocross circuit were held two weeks after on May 12.[{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Dave |date=May 13, 1968 |title=Hiner Cops Win In Hobby Main |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-hiner-cops-win-in-hobby/195447123/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=11}} {{Open access}}] On August 17, the first [[NASCAR]]-sanctioned race was held at the facility's tri-oval, with [[Ray Elder]] winning a [[NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model|NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division]] event.[{{Cite news |date=August 16, 1968 |title=NASCAR Super Stocks In Raceways' Top Event |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-nascar-super-stocks-in-r/195447645/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=26}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite news |last=Jordan |first=Mike |date=August 19, 1968 |title=Elder, Dodge Charge To NASCAR Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-elder-dodge-charge-to-n/195447671/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=11}} {{Open access}}] |
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On January 11, 1968, president of the Western Sintering Company, John Rector, announced plans to build a {{Convert|0.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} tri-oval racing facility named "Tri-City Raceways". Initial plans for the facility included the tri-oval, a dirt motocross track within the tri-oval's infield, and 4,000 grandstand seats. In addition, newly-appointed track manager Jerry Wagner also announced near-future master plans, which included plans to construct a dragstrip and a sports car track layout.[{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1968 |title=Motorcycle, Car Racetrack Slated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-motorcycle-car-racetrac/195445981/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=3}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1968 |title=Auto Racing Complex Set In Tri-Cities |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-auto-racing-complex-set/195446379/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=26}} {{Open access}}] Groundbreaking on Tri-City Raceway occurred on March 11,[{{Cite news |date=March 12, 1968 |title=(untitled) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-untitled/195446867/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=15}} {{Open access}}] and the first events were held at the track on April 28 on the tri-oval.[{{Cite news |date=April 28, 1968 |title=Late-Model Cars, Jalopies To Race In Tri-Cities |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-late-model-cars-jalopie/195446893/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=34}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Rick |date=May 10, 1968 |title=Tri-City Raceway Blossoms In W. Richland Wastelands |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-tri-city-raceway-blossom/195446912/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=21}} {{Open access}}] The first events on the track's motocross circuit were held two weeks after on May 12.[{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Dave |date=May 13, 1968 |title=Hiner Cops Win In Hobby Main |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-hiner-cops-win-in-hobby/195447123/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=11}} {{Open access}}] On August 17, the first [[NASCAR]]-sanctioned race was held at the facility's tri-oval, with [[Ray Elder]] winning a [[NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model|NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division]] event.[{{Cite news |date=August 16, 1968 |title=NASCAR Super Stocks In Raceways' Top Event |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-nascar-super-stocks-in-r/195447645/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=26}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite news |last=Jordan |first=Mike |date=August 19, 1968 |title=Elder, Dodge Charge To NASCAR Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-elder-dodge-charge-to-n/195447671/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=11}} {{Open access}}] According ot the ''[[Tri-City Herald]]'', the entire facility, including land and construction costs, costed $250,000 (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=US|value=250000|start_year=1968|r=0|fmt=c}}).[{{Cite news |last=Purdy |first=Steve |date=March 11, 1973 |title=Auto racing pickup expected as tracks change methods |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-auto-racing-pickup-expec/195978799/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=5-11}} {{Open access}}] |
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In 1969, Tri-City Raceway underwent a renovation project, which included the installation of new bleacher seats, a new press box, and improved spectator amenities.[{{Cite news |date=April 4, 1969 |title=Raceway Opens Sunday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-raceway-opens-sunday/195447820/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=20}} {{Open access}}] Two years later, Wagner was replaced as manager and operator of Tri-City by Raceway Industries, Inc., led by president George Cantrell.[{{Cite news |date=March 26, 1971 |title=Raceway Files To Incorporate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-raceway-files-to-incorpo/195460498/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=23}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite news |date=April 2, 1971 |title=Racing Slated For Sunday P. M. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-racing-slated-for-sunday/195460500/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=14}} {{Open access}}] As part of Cantrell's tenure, the pit area was moved to the infield of the track, which was achieved by the removal of the motocross track. In a 1999 interview, Rector described the motocross track as "a disaster", having lost money in every event it hosted.[{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Jody |date=October 15, 1999 |title=Tri-City Raceway still running strong after 31 years |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-tri-city-raceway-still-r/195624826/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=B1}} {{Open access}}] Months into his tenure, Cantrell faced a boycott from the track's [[jalopy]] racing division drivers due to purse money disputes.[{{Cite news |date=July 18, 1971 |title=Drivers, Raceway at Odds |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-drivers-raceway-at-odds/195460504/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=29}} {{Open access}}] The following year, A&P Sports, headed by racing driver [[Bill Amick]], took over operational control of Tri-City Raceway.[{{Cite news |date=April 16, 1972 |title=Racing today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-racing-today/195976701/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=35}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite news |last=Purdy |first=Steve |date=May 5, 1972 |title=Raceway improvements to draw crowd tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-raceway-improvements-to/195460739/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=22}} {{Open access}}] In later interviews, Amick stated that the jalopy driver boycott was a primary reason for his investment in the track.[{{Cite news |last=Capps |first=Wayne |date=July 3, 1972 |title=Wanted: A new image |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-wanted-a-new-image/195976726/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=10}} {{Open access}}] During Amick's tenure, he reported that A&P Sports lost money on operating the facility due to purse increases and renovations, leading to the eventual cutting of sportsman racing for the rest of 1972 starting in August.[{{Cite news |last=Purdy |first=Steve |date=August 10, 1972 |title=Tri-City Raceways cuts sportsman racing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-tri-city-raceways-cuts-s/195978817/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=26}} {{Open access}}] By the start of 1973, A&P Sports opted out of their lease due to numerous disagreements with the organization and drivers, with sportsman racer Larry Pryor taking over operations in January.[{{Cite news |date=January 21, 1973 |title=Race driver leases Tri-City Raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-race-driver-leases-tri-c/195460733/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 21, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=23}} {{Open access}}] |
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In July 2020, a group named the Friends of Red Mountain Event Center, consisting of Eric Van Winkle, Greg Walden, and Jesse Brown, announced hopes in the ''Herald'' to lease parts of the Tri-City Raceway complex to use as a multi-event center. The group included plans to host auto racing, drive-in movie nights, and car shows.[{{Cite news |last=Morrow |first=Jeff |date=July 19, 2020 |title=Tri-City Raceway plan would add event center |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-tri-city-raceway-plan-wo/195629814/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-tri-city-raceway-plan-wo/195629831/ 8A]}} {{Open access}}] The group hosted their first event, a drive-in movie night, on October 15.[{{Cite news |last=Stormo |first=Allison |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Former West Richland raceway opens for drive-in movie event |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-former-west-richland-rac/195629851/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=4A}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite web |last=Culverwell |first=Wendy |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Could Tri-City Raceway be West Richland’s Carousel of Dreams? |url=https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/3001 |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business |language=en}}] By the start of 2021, ''Herald'' writer Jeff Morrow proclaimed that "NASCAR-style racing could come back" to the facility within the year.[{{Cite news |last=Morrow |first=Jeff |date=January 24, 2021 |title=Best sports stories: Tri-City Raceway, cross country |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-best-sports-stories-tri/195629898/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-best-sports-stories-tri/195629918/ 2B]}} {{Open access}}] In May, the West Richland City Council unanimously approved a five-year lease for the group alongside a $1.2 million renovation, which included the re-adding of grandstands and lights, renovations to the track's walls, and renovations to the track's concessions areas.[{{Cite news |last=Stormo |first=Allison |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Red Mountain gets final OK to turn raceway into event center |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-red-mountain-gets-final/195641668/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=2A}} {{Open access}}] Tri-City Raceway officially reopened for auto racing for practice sessions on October 1,[{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Ashley |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Tri-City Raceway holds first race in 17 years with over 160 cars in the pits |url=https://keprtv.com/news/local/tri-city-raceway-holds-first-race-in-17-years-with-over-160-cars-in-the-pits |url-status=live |access-date=April 16, 2026 |website=[[KEPR-TV]] |language=en}}] hosting its first events on the weekend of October 2–3, hosting various events.[{{Cite news |last=Morrow |first=Jeff |date=August 21, 2021 |title=NASCAR-style event will launch area's newest raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-nascar-style-event-will/195641696/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=1A}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Ashley |date=October 2, 2021 |title=Tri-City Raceway sells out race tickets for their first race in 17 years |url=https://keprtv.com/news/local/tri-city-raceway-sells-out-race-tickets-for-their-first-race-in-17-years |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=[[KEPR-TV]] |language=en}}] In 2023, Walden began discussions with NASCAR executive [[Ken Clapp]] on the potential return of the now-named ARCA Menards West Series in 2025. The negotiations were successful, and after it was moved up to 2024,[{{Cite web |last=White |first=Brandon |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Revived and revamped, Tri-City Raceway is ready to shine again with a long-awaited West Series visit |url=https://www.arcaracing.com/2024/08/08/tri-city-raceway-west-series/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=[[ARCA Racing Series]] |language=en-US}}] the return of the series occurred on August 10.[{{Cite web |last=Branscum |first=Benjamine |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Reif Doubles Down, Sneaks Win Away At Tri-City Raceway |url=https://tobychristie.com/arca/west/reif-doubles-down-sneaks-win-away-at-tri-city-raceway/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=TobyChristie.com |language=en-US}}] |
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In July 2020, a group named the Friends of Red Mountain Event Center, consisting of Eric Van Winkle, Greg Walden, and Jesse Brown, announced hopes in the ''Herald'' to lease parts of the Tri-City Raceway complex to use as a multi-event center. The group included plans to host auto racing, drive-in movie nights, and car shows.[{{Cite news |last=Morrow |first=Jeff |date=July 19, 2020 |title=Tri-City Raceway plan would add event center |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-tri-city-raceway-plan-wo/195629814/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-tri-city-raceway-plan-wo/195629831/ 8A]}} {{Open access}}] The group hosted their first event, a drive-in movie night, on October 15.[{{Cite news |last=Stormo |first=Allison |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Former West Richland raceway opens for drive-in movie event |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-former-west-richland-rac/195629851/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=4A}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite web |last=Culverwell |first=Wendy |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Could Tri-City Raceway be West Richland’s Carousel of Dreams? |url=https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/3001 |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business |language=en}}] By the start of 2021, ''Herald'' writer Jeff Morrow proclaimed that "NASCAR-style racing could come back" to the facility within the year.[{{Cite news |last=Morrow |first=Jeff |date=January 24, 2021 |title=Best sports stories: Tri-City Raceway, cross country |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-best-sports-stories-tri/195629898/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-best-sports-stories-tri/195629918/ 2B]}} {{Open access}}] In May, the West Richland City Council unanimously approved a five-year lease for the group alongside a $1.2 million renovation, which included the re-adding of grandstands and lights, renovations to the track's walls, and renovations to the track's concessions areas.[{{Cite news |last=Stormo |first=Allison |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Red Mountain gets final OK to turn raceway into event center |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-red-mountain-gets-final/195641668/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=2A}} {{Open access}}] Tri-City Raceway officially reopened for auto racing for practice sessions on October 1,[{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Ashley |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Tri-City Raceway holds first race in 17 years with over 160 cars in the pits |url=https://keprtv.com/news/local/tri-city-raceway-holds-first-race-in-17-years-with-over-160-cars-in-the-pits |url-status=live |access-date=April 16, 2026 |website=[[KEPR-TV]] |language=en}}] hosting its first events on the weekend of October 2–3, hosting various events.[{{Cite news |last=Morrow |first=Jeff |date=August 21, 2021 |title=NASCAR-style event will launch area's newest raceway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-nascar-style-event-will/195641696/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |work=[[Tri-City Herald]] |page=1A}} {{Open access}}][{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Ashley |date=October 2, 2021 |title=Tri-City Raceway sells out race tickets for their first race in 17 years |url=https://keprtv.com/news/local/tri-city-raceway-sells-out-race-tickets-for-their-first-race-in-17-years |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=[[KEPR-TV]] |language=en}}][{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2021 |title=Tri-City Raceway has successful re-opening weekend; thousands in attendance |url=https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/features/tri-city-raceway-has-successful-re-opening-weekend-thousands-in-attendance/article_639c498e-9240-5a7e-a942-a9a3c2835325.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2026 |website=[[KAPP (TV)|KAPP]] |language=en}}] In 2023, Walden began discussions with NASCAR executive [[Ken Clapp]] on the potential return of the now-named ARCA Menards West Series in 2025. The negotiations were successful, and after it was moved up to 2024,[{{Cite web |last=White |first=Brandon |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Revived and revamped, Tri-City Raceway is ready to shine again with a long-awaited West Series visit |url=https://www.arcaracing.com/2024/08/08/tri-city-raceway-west-series/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=[[ARCA Racing Series]] |language=en-US}}] the return of the series occurred on August 10.[{{Cite web |last=Branscum |first=Benjamine |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Reif Doubles Down, Sneaks Win Away At Tri-City Raceway |url=https://tobychristie.com/arca/west/reif-doubles-down-sneaks-win-away-at-tri-city-raceway/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=TobyChristie.com |language=en-US}}] |
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