Evergreen Speedway
Location
Monroe, Washington, USA
Current Local Time
Track Info
Evergreen Speedway - Monroe, Washington
Historic multi-layout motorsport venue - home to NASCAR short-track racing, drifting and nationally known figure-eight competition
When was the track built?
Evergreen Speedway was established in 1954 on the grounds of the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. The original dirt track had previously been used for horse racing before local drivers gained permission to hold automobile events.
The oval was paved during the 1960s, and additional layouts were constructed inside it. This created an unusually flexible venue capable of hosting several different forms of motorsport within one stadium.
When did racing begin?
Automobile racing began in 1954, initially using the dirt horse-racing oval. The venue later became an important stop for leading West Coast stock-car drivers and hosted long 500-lap NASCAR races.
Three-time NASCAR champion David Pearson reportedly called Evergreen the Super Speedway of the West, a nickname the circuit still uses today.
What's the circuit like?
- Several tracks in one: The outer oval surrounds smaller courses, allowing the layout to change according to the event.
- Fast outer oval: The five-eighths-mile course has long corners and higher speeds than a typical local short track.
- Technical inner oval: The 3/8-mile layout has progressive banking, encouraging drivers to try different racing lines.
- Figure-eight intersection: Cars cross through the centre from different directions, requiring careful timing as well as speed.
What races here?
- Late Models: Powerful stock-bodied cars used for Evergreen's leading conventional oval races.
- Street Stocks and Mini Stocks: More affordable categories based more closely on production vehicles.
- Legends and sprint cars: Lightweight machines that produce short laps and rapid direction changes.
- Figure-eight cars: Several divisions compete on the crossing layout, ranging from entry-level cars to fast Outlaw machines.
- Drifting and special events: The complex also hosts drifting, autocross, demolition derbies and occasional monster-truck meetings.
Major events and benchmarks
- Summer Showdown: A major Late Model weekend attracting leading short-track drivers from across western North America.
- Figure 8 Nationals: First held in 1984 and now one of Evergreen's best-known annual traditions.
- Winged sprint record: 18.595 - Jeff Montgomery, 2013, on the five-eighths-mile oval.
- Outlaw Figure 8 record: 15.494 - Steve Durham, 2018.
Times from different layouts and vehicle categories cannot be compared directly because each course has a different length and purpose.
Why go?
Evergreen offers more variety than most short tracks. A single season can include traditional oval racing, figure-eight action, drifting and entertainment events, making it approachable for visitors who do not follow one particular championship.
The large covered grandstand also provides a clear view over most of the complex while offering useful protection from the Pacific Northwest weather.
Where's the best place to watch?
- High central grandstand seats: Best for seeing the complete oval and understanding how a race develops.
- Near Turns 1 and 2: Good for braking, overtaking attempts and cars entering the corner side by side.
- Near Turns 3 and 4: Watch drivers search for grip before accelerating onto the main straight.
- Opposite the figure-eight crossing: Best for following the timing and close encounters that define figure-eight racing.
Evergreen Speedway is inside the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, northeast of Seattle. Entrances, seating areas and parking arrangements can change during the annual fair and major events, so check the official event information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Evergreen Speedway (Washington)
Evergreen Speedway is in Monroe, Washington, around 30 miles northeast of Seattle. The track is part of the Evergreen State Fairgrounds and is easy to reach by car, while Community Transit buses also provide a useful option for visitors without their own transport.
Driving to the speedway
Driving is the easiest way to reach Evergreen Speedway. The fairgrounds sit immediately north of US Highway 2, just before you enter the main part of Monroe from the west.
- From Seattle via I-405: travel north on I-405, take Exit 23A for SR 522 and follow SR 522 until it reaches US Highway 2. Turn right towards Monroe.
- From I-5: join US Highway 2 near Everett and continue east for approximately 14 miles towards Monroe.
- West Gate: use 179th Avenue SE.
- East Gate: use Cascade View Drive.
For navigation, use “Evergreen Speedway” or 14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272.
Getting there by bus
Unlike many American short tracks, Evergreen Speedway can be reached by public transport. Community Transit serves the Monroe area throughout the year.
- Routes 270 and 271: provide service through Monroe and connect the area with Everett.
- Check the timetable: service is more limited during evenings and weekends, so check your return journey before attending a night race.
- Regional connections: visitors coming from farther away can connect to Community Transit services before continuing towards Monroe.
For evening events, check the latest Community Transit journey planner before relying on the bus for your trip home.
Parking
Evergreen Speedway shares the large parking areas of the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. The exact lots and prices depend on the event.
- General parking: paved and gravel parking areas are available around the fairgrounds.
- Parking charges: some regular race meetings offer free gravel parking while charging for paved parking.
- Accessible parking: disabled parking is available at the fairgrounds.
- Major events: expect different traffic arrangements during large races and the annual Evergreen State Fair.
Check your individual event page before travelling, as parking prices and entrance gates can change.
Flying in
Seattle Paine Field (PAE) in Everett is the closest commercial airport and offers flights to a selection of destinations within the United States.
- Paine Field: convenient if a suitable flight is available, with rental cars and rideshare services at the terminal.
- Seattle-Tacoma Airport: usually provides a much wider choice of domestic and international flights but is farther from Monroe.
- Rental car: the easiest option if you are staying for several days or attending more than one event.
RV & camping
The Evergreen State Fairgrounds has an RV area for visitors who want to stay close to the speedway.
- RV-2: located on the east side of the fairgrounds with 96 reservable RV spaces.
- Hookups: sites have water and electricity and can accommodate RVs up to 42 feet.
- Facilities: showers and a dump station are available.
- Tent camping: limited spaces may be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The RV area is designed primarily as event accommodation rather than a traditional campground, so facilities are relatively simple.
Race-day tips
- Arrive early: US Highway 2 can become busy before popular races and major fairground events.
- Check your gate: the fairgrounds have both east and west entrances.
- Prepare for rain: western Washington weather can change quickly, although much of Evergreen's main grandstand is covered.
- Bring hearing protection: the cars are close to the spectator areas and racing can be very loud.
- Check the schedule: Evergreen hosts oval racing, drifting, figure-eight racing, demolition events and other motorsport throughout the year.
- Save the address: 14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272, USA.
For a first visit, driving is the simplest option. Public transport is possible, but check the evening bus timetable carefully before attending a night race.
Parking prices, bus timetables, entrance gates and event-day arrangements can change. Check the official Evergreen Speedway event information and Community Transit schedule before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Evergreen Speedway (Monroe, Washington)
Evergreen Speedway is a busy Pacific Northwest motorsport venue inside the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. With several oval layouts, a figure-eight course and a small road course, race nights can include everything from NASCAR-style stock cars and sprint cars to drifting and demolition events - with lakes, waterfalls and small historic towns nearby.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Lake Tye Park: A 64-acre city park with a recreational lake and a flat 1.63-mile loop trail. It is an easy place for a walk, picnic or relaxed morning before an evening race.
- Evergreen State Fair: If your visit falls around late August or Labor Day, the fairgrounds become a major attraction themselves with rides, food, animals and entertainment.
- Monroe Wildlife Center: The former Monroe Reptile Zoo is being redeveloped into a broader wildlife attraction. Check its current opening status before making a special trip.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Historic Downtown Snohomish: Explore a compact riverside downtown known for older buildings, independent shops, antiques, cafés and restaurants.
- Boeing Future of Flight: Head toward Mukilteo for aviation exhibits and the Boeing Everett Factory Tour, where visitors can see current aircraft production from viewing areas above the factory floor.
- Monroe: Staying close to the circuit gives you straightforward access to cafés, shops and casual restaurants without travelling toward Seattle.
Eat & drink around the circuit
- Downtown Monroe: The simplest choice for burgers, pizza, Mexican food, Asian restaurants, cafés and casual American meals.
- Historic Snohomish: A good option if you want to turn dinner into a short evening trip, with restaurants and cafés around the historic downtown area.
- Fair food: Visitors attending during the Evergreen State Fair can expect the usual mix of fairground snacks and treats alongside racing.
Get outdoors between race nights
- Lake Tye Park: Close enough for an easy walk or run without committing most of the day to sightseeing.
- Wallace Falls State Park: Head east to Gold Bar for forests, lakes and the impressive three-tiered Wallace Falls. The park has around 17 miles of hiking and biking trails.
- Skykomish Valley: Continue east from Monroe on US-2 for mountain scenery and access to the western Cascade foothills.
Washington mountain weather can change quickly. Take suitable footwear and check trail and road conditions before longer hikes.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Wallace Falls State Park: One of the easiest ways to add a classic Pacific Northwest waterfall hike to a race weekend.
- Historic Downtown Snohomish: An easy half-day choice for shopping, food and a slower change of pace from the speedway.
- Boeing Future of Flight: A strong option for motorsport fans interested in engineering. The Boeing factory tour takes around 80 minutes, but allow extra time for the visitor centre.
- Snoqualmie Falls: A famous 270-foot waterfall with viewing areas that can be combined with a longer drive through the region.
Good to know during race weekends
- Check which layout is being used: A night on the 3/8-mile oval feels very different from a 5/8-mile race, figure-eight event or drift meeting, so check the event description before arriving.
- The speedway is inside the fairgrounds: Access and parking can become much busier when racing overlaps with the Evergreen State Fair or another large fairgrounds event.
- Bring hearing protection: Stock cars, sprint cars and figure-eight racing are loud from the grandstands. Ear protection is particularly useful for children.
- Check what you can bring: Evergreen permits limited bags and soft-sided coolers, but items are inspected and alcohol, weapons and oversized containers are prohibited.
- Prepare for changing weather: Even summer evenings can cool down after sunset, so a light extra layer is useful for night racing.
Race schedules, event formats, parking, fairground access, attraction opening hours and outdoor conditions can change - check current information before travelling.