³ÉÈËÍ·Ìõ

The Rockford Speedway closed its doors for good after its final race on Oct. 28, 2023, marking the end of the racetrack's 76th and final year of operation — and the end of an era.

Due to multiple factors, one being rising property taxes, the Rockford Speedway's owning family, the Deerys, had to close down the oldest sports venue in Northern Illinois.

Now it's time to clear out all the inventory.

More on Rockford Speedway:Everything you need to know as Rockford Speedway gets set for final championship weekend

There will be an online Rockford Speedway Auction held by Steffes Auctioneers that will begin next Monday.

"I'm sure going to miss everything about that place," one of the Deery children, Jack, said. "We've been going through everything and we just keep finding neat things out there that remind us of how much history is there. Family history; Rockford history. So many people have worked there, raced there, and just come through there as fans. So many memories."

Hugh Deery, one of the country's best short-track promoters, and his wife Jody gained sole ownership of the Rockford Speedway in 1967. Hugh passed away in 1984 and Jody carried the torch for decades. She then died in 2022, but all eight of their children worked at the track in some capacity over the years. And they took over.

However, before last season kicked in, they announced that the 50-acre site had been sold for commercial development and would close at the end of the race year.

"It's sure going to change things around here," said Russ Goodwin, 55, who won rookie of the year in the Road Runner division in 1983, later took 20 years off and returned last year to race one more season at his home track. "It's just going to be different."

That end came and went in October 2023, and now they are putting just about everything having to do with the Rockford Speedway up for auction.

There will be a chance to see almost everything that will be put up for auction live and in person at the Rockford Speedway site, located at 9572 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The items are also posted, with pictures, online at .

The online auction will begin on May 27 and will close on June 3. It will include all of the buildings, grandstands, lighting, timing equipment, playground equipment and more, as well as a lot of Rockford Speedway memorabilia.

There will be four rings of auction: Ring 1 will be the grandstands, bleachers and more; Ring 2 will be food and concession equipment, and more; Ring 3 will be buildings, playground equipment, and more; and Ring 4 will be Rockford Speedway and racing memorabilia.