During a recent episode of The Wes Buck Show, U.S. 60 Dragway owner Chris Mattingly joined the conversation with a clear message: he’s all in. The former racer-turned-track operator has thrown himself headfirst into the relentless grind of promoting drag races in today’s ever-changing motorsports landscape – and he’s doing it with his wife Shelby right alongside him every step of the way.
Situated in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, U.S. 60 Dragway is far from a major-market venue. But that hasn’t stopped Mattingly from dreaming big and putting in the kind of effort you just can’t fake. Since taking over the facility, he’s been on a mission to elevate its reputation – booking unique events, listening to racers, and doing whatever it takes to make sure fans leave entertained and racers feel appreciated.
“I’m just going to work my tail off and do everything I can to keep people coming to this place,” Mattingly told host Wes Buck. “It’s not easy, but this place means a lot to people, and it means a lot to me.”
And it shows. U.S. 60 has gone from being a quiet outlaw track to one that’s showing up more frequently on the radar of serious racers. From the recent Grudge Bowl presented by Team Boddie – where Jimmy Taylor took home an almost six-figure payday – to a slate of special events still to come, the schedule is growing, and so is the buzz.
“I want U.S. 60 to be known for treating people right,” Mattingly said. “I want racers to know if they make the trip to Kentucky, they’re going to have a good time and feel like their effort was worth it.”
That attitude – rare as it is – has helped Mattingly win over racers from across the country. But the grind is real. And during his sit-down with Buck, Mattingly didn’t sugarcoat the struggles that come with running a racetrack in 2025. From weather to payouts to the never-ending hustle of marketing and promotion, it’s a job that never stops demanding more.
“I’m the announcer, I’m the prep guy, I’m the garbage man, I’m the parking lot guy – I do everything,” he said with a laugh. “And I love it, but I’m not going to sit here and pretend it’s not hard. It’s hard as hell.”
Still, he’s committed. Deeply. Mattingly emphasized that this isn’t just a business venture – it’s personal. He’s a racer at heart, a fan of the sport, and someone who wants to see drag racing succeed, especially in grassroots environments like his own.
“I’ve seen it from both sides,” he said. “I’ve been the guy trying to figure out how to make a pass. Now I’m the guy trying to figure out how to keep the lights on and get people to the gate.”
His wife Shelby is a major part of the effort. While many track owners operate behind the scenes, the Mattinglys are both front and center – working side by side to keep things moving. Whether it’s at registration, managing social media, or literally walking the staging lanes to check in with racers, Shelby’s impact is felt throughout the property.
“I couldn’t do any of this without her,” Chris said. “She’s just as passionate about it as I am.”
The two of them have made it clear they’re in this for the long haul, and they’ve got big plans. Mattingly teased some future developments for U.S. 60 that could include expanded seating, a reworked schedule, and some fresh promotions aimed at bringing new eyes to the facility.
“We want to keep building. Keep adding pieces. Keep trying things,” he said. “Not everything will work, but you’ve got to keep swinging.”
As drag racing continues to evolve, small tracks like U.S. 60 are going to be critical to the sport’s future. Places where new fans can be introduced to the culture, where young racers can get seat time, and where the kind of raw, unfiltered action that defines outlaw racing can still happen every weekend.
And for Mattingly, it’s not about making a fortune or chasing national headlines. It’s about keeping the fire lit – for the sport, for his community, and for the racers who show up and put on a show.
“I know what this place means to people,” he said. “It was the first drag strip I ever came to. I want it to be the kind of place that makes someone fall in love with drag racing all over again.”
In a time when so many tracks are going dark or struggling to stay afloat, Chris and Shelby Mattingly are doing the opposite. They’re leaning in. Building. Promoting. Sweating it out in the tower and on the track to make it all work.
And more than anything, they’re proving that passion and grit still count for something in this sport.
This story was originally published on July 24, 2025. 
