‘This isn’t how it was supposed to end’: Columbus speedway up for sale after owner has aneurysm

COLUMBUS, Neb. (KLKN) — The owners of U.S. 30 Speedway in Columbus have decided to sell after a difficult diagnosis.

Bobby and Janelle Lincoln’s lives have been tied to the racetrack for decades.

Bobby helped his father build the speedway back in 1985.

He and his wife took over ownership years ago.

But in August of 2025, their lives were turned upside down.

“We had a race night,” he said. “I woke up the next morning, and I didn’t feel right.”

He spent weeks in hospitals and months waiting for a diagnosis.

In November, he found out he’d had a brain aneurysm, which left him with severe nerve damage.

He can no longer walk or do the things he loves, including spending time at the speedway.

“There’s a lot of nights where I just lay in bed and cry because I just feel worthless,” he said. “This is my life. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

After many long talks, Bobby and Janelle decided to sell the raceway.

“This isn’t how it was supposed to end,” he said. “Putting the track up for sale has to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Bobby plans to spend more time with his daughters, grandkids and dogs.

And in a few months, he will have an experimental surgery in hopes of being able to walk again.

“They claim there’s about a 33% chance I’ll walk and be fine, a 33% chance I’m in a wheelchair, and 33% I won’t be here at all,” he said. “We’re going to cross our fingers and pray.”

Bobby hopes to be able to walk back over to the speedway and say hi to everyone.

And he hopes his family’s passion won’t be forgotten.

“I just hope somebody keeps it as a racetrack and understands the legacy here and can keep it going forward,” he said.