POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- It's tough times for racing in Polk County.

First, a major speedway announced that it was closing. The USA International Speedway north of Lakeland closed recently because it couldn't attract enough big races.

Now, a drag strip next door, the Lakeland Motorsports Park, says it has fallen on hard times as a result.

"We have literally gone from 100 to 120 racers a night to 40," said Trisha Starling with Lakeland Motorsports Park.

The drag strip says many people think they were part of USA International and that they'll be torn down too. But that's not true.

"They haven't gotten the word that we are still open," Starling said. "We get a lot of calls. A lot of emails but it's still not getting out that we are still open."

The owners are putting a lot of money into new facilities, including an upgraded surface in the strip.

The Lakeland Motorsports Drag strip is open starting at 5 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays.