Lighting Case Study: Worthington Speedway Saves Over $173K With an LED Lighting Upgrade on the Racetrack

The Backstory:

Worthington Speedway hosts weekly high-speed action racing events. The racetrack lighting system was running on traditional 1500W metal halide fixtures. LED Lighting Supply worked with TAM Enterprises LLC to provide expert support on replacing their customer’s existing lighting with LED technology.

The Customer’s Challenge:

The track incurred high energy costs due to excess energy consumption, frequent repairs, and performance inefficiencies from the outdated system. The aging lights were unable to meet high-intensity lighting demands for racers.

The legacy lighting in place created several challenges for the track:

• Inconsistent light distribution created safety risks for drivers on the track. For a driver at high speeds, transitioning from bright light to shadow causes glare, momentary eye strain, and delayed reaction times.
• These fixtures waste significant amounts of energy and produce high heat output, contributing to fixture degradation.
• Legacy bulbs often produce a yellow or orange hue, making it challenging for race officials and fans to distinguish between cars, track flags, or fluid spills on the track.
• Metal halide systems require a warm-up period before being turned on, leading to delays and safety concerns for spectators.

The Strategy & Solution:

Our Product Specialist, Joe Hawkins, worked with TAM Enterprises to understand the project requirements and provide a proper lighting solution for the project. The typical foot candle (fc) value recommended for a racetrack of this size and competition level is between 30 and 50 fc. Other important project details include the current fixture details, quantity, and mounting heights. With these conditions in mind, LED Lighting Supply’s team was able to offer a lighting solution that provides ample illumination across the racetrack.

Joe recommended a one-for-one replacement with 600 Watt Industrial Marine Grade LED Flood Lights, each with a visor to reduce glare, minimize light pollution, and control the light direction. 41 fixtures were replaced in total, with 45-degree optics included for every 200-watt module to provide controlled illumination across a large space. The marine-grade engineering provides superior resistance to dust, dirt, moisture, and other harsh weather conditions.

The Results:

Switching from outdated metal halide fixtures to LEDs delivers significant improvements in energy savings and operational performance on Worthington Speedway’s track. LED Lighting Supply’s hand-selected custom solution creates a safer, more uniform lighting level across the track and greatly reduces facility expenses related to energy consumption, maintenance, and replacement costs.

Savings and payback the facility will benefit from:

By upgrading to LED fixtures, the track achieved:

• $173K+ in total energy savings after five years
• $24K+ in total energy savings after one year
• Significant, long-term return on investment
• Safer, brighter lighting across the entire racetrack
• Improved performance for drivers and a better experience for the audience
• Measurable energy cost savings

This case study demonstrates how collaboration, careful planning, and LED technology can transform an outdated lighting system into a highly efficient and cost-effective solution. Through a consultative process and a tailored lighting design, LED Lighting Supply provides a solution precisely matched to the specific requirements of the racetrack.

Customer Relationship:

Worthington Speedway and TAM Enterprises LLC are both continuing customers of ours across several lighting-related projects.

If operational safety and efficiency are important to you and your facility, LED Lighting Supply is your ideal partner for Commercial & Industrial Lighting Solutions.