Wheels of Speed

MOTOR RACING LINKS

PENNSYLVANIA RACE TRACKS OF THE PAST
17 Mile Post - Wattsburg, PA 1/4-mile paved dragstrip (1957) ___________________________________________

Addison - (Strawn), PA Dirt oval (years unknown) The track was located on US 40, North of Maryland State line. ___________________________________________

Adventure Park Speedway - Clearfield, PA 1/5-mile dirt oval (1986 - 1987) ___________________________________________

Airport Speedway - Brockway, PA (aka: Brockway Speedway) 1/4-mile dirt oval (1954 - 1961) ___________________________________________

Airport Speedway - Coalport (Utahvill), PA (aka: New Airport Speedway) 1/4-mile dirt oval (October 1953) The track was located 2-1/2 miles east of town on CR 2002. The site is now a Christmas tree farm. ___________________________________________

Airport Speedway - Hallstead, PA Dirt oval (1953) ___________________________________________

Airport Speedway - Brockway, PA (aka : Brockway Speedway) 1/4-mile dirt oval (1954 - 1961) ___________________________________________

Alan Speedway - Sugar Hill, PA 1/5-mile dirt oval (2000 - 2001) ___________________________________________

Albion Rodeo Grounds - Albion (Keepville), PA (aka: Bill Peters Speedway) 1/2-mile dirt oval (1950 - 1952) The track was located SW of town, just west of SR 18 on Carter Road. ___________________________________________

Altoona Fairgrounds - Altoona, PA (aka: Plank Road Speedway, Altoona Driving Park) 1/2-mile dirt oval (1913 - 1916 and 1920 - 1922) Located on BR US 220 and now is the Pleasant Valley Shopping Mall. ___________________________________________

Anthracite Raceway - Pottsville, PA (aka: Port Carbon) 3/8-mile dirt oval (1966 - 1976) Track closed because of a driver strike and is located near the Schuylkill Mall. ___________________________________________

Allentown Agricultural Hall - Allentown, PA 1/12-mile indoor oval (11/10/62 - 1966) Ran TQ midgets and micro midgets ___________________________________________

Allentown Fairgrounds - Allentown, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (9/27/1919 - 9/20/1941, 9/23/1945 - 8/10/1968 and 8/14/1976) 1/8-mile dirt dragstrip (4/17/1964 - 1965) 1/8-mile dirt oval (1989) The Allentown Fairgrounds opened in 1889 and a horse track was added in 1901 with grandstands being added in 1908. Ira Vail was the first winner in 1919. Bill Schindler (9/20/1952) and Johnny Thomson (9/24/1960) were fatally injured at the Fairgrounds. ___________________________________________

Allison Park - PA Dirt oval (early 1940's) The KDKA radio tower now sits on the site. ___________________________________________

Berwick Beach Haven Speedway - PA The track was built by George Perluke who was a prolific promoter and businessman along the north branch of the Susquehanna River from the late 30's until the 70's. Perluke first promoted midget races in Ashley, PA in the 1930's and also promoted Pocono Sunrise Speedway in the center of Blakeslee, PA (and at another track not far from the Berwick Beach Haven track called Kochers Speedway). Perlukes idea was to have a recreation complex. The track had a lake in the middle and an amusement park on the backstretch. Perlukes bought rides from Palisades when it closed and erected a huge grandstand. The track first ran in the 60's but not regularly until 1976 first running Small Block Modifieds paying $400.00 to win - That was it, no other payoff! Later the track switched to the Limited Late Models and Late Models. Ed Spencer won the final auto race held at the track. It also seems his son, Jimmy also ran at the track as there were apparently was motorcycle racing there later on. The speedway and stands are very much in tact, as is much of the amusement park along the backstretch. ___________________________________________

Bone Stadium - Pittston, PA 1/4-mile paved oval (6/1/48 - 1955) The track was built by George Bone. ___________________________________________

Bowling Green Speedway - Jefferson, PA 1/2-mile high banked dirt oval (1953 - 1956) The speedway is now a corn field, though fence posts and the banking are still visible. ___________________________________________

Claridge Speedway - Claridge, PA 1/3-mile oval (5/31/1951 - 1959) The track ran under the NASCAR and Pittsburgh Racing Association banners. Buddy O'Conner had the most wins, winning 25 times before the tack closed in 1959. The track was located on the northwest corner of the intersection between Route 993 and Gumback Rd. and now is a soccer complex. ___________________________________________

Chambersburg -St. Thomas Speedway - PA 1/4-mile dirt oval (1960 to 1973) The site is now a baseball field. ___________________________________________

Chester Fairgrounds - Chester, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (1920's) The track was located at 12th and Engle St. ___________________________________________

Circle M Ranch - Auburn, PA (aka: Auburn Speedway) 1/4-mile dirt oval (May 1955 - 1956) The speedway is located off of Route 895 on the West end of town. The track is still there. ___________________________________________

Cup Speedway - Baumstown, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (7/16/39 - 7/28/40) The speedway was located at the intersections of Rt. 82 and 422 West. ___________________________________________

Dorney Park Speedway - Allentown, PA (Located at Dorney Park Amusement Park) 1/5-mile paved oval (5/28/39 - 6/21/42 and (1945 - 1986) The exact location of the track is now the site of the Hercules Rollercoaster. You can still see parts of the 3rd turn underneath the ride. Doc Shanebrook was the 1939 track champion, Charlie Miller was the 1940 track champion and Doug Hoffman ran a Late Model at Dorney Park before becoming a DIRT Modified star. ___________________________________________

Fredericksburg Speedway - PA The speedway ran until the mid 70's racing mostly Super Sportsman that race at Silver Springs, PA and some ARDC midgets. The track sits on the edge of town and ran around a baseball diamond. ___________________________________________

Gold Mine Speedway - Tower City, PA 1/4-mile dirt oval (May 1952 - 1964) Though over grown, The track is still there and can be walked around. ___________________________________________

Greater Pittsburgh Speedway PA 1/4-mile semi-banked dirt oval (6/13/58 - 9/3/67) 1/4-mile semi-banked paved oval (7/6/68 - 8/28/70) The track was a semi-banked 1/4 dirt track until September 3, 1967. The PRA took over operation of the track in 1968 and paved the track, it remained a 1/4-mile semi-banked track until it closed. The track was a big super modified track from it's opening thru the 1967 season, (except for a brief stretch in 1966, after the super mod. drivers went on strike, and then became a PRA late model track for 11 races). The track ran late models from 1968 thru the first four races in 1969, when due to a lack of cars, it switched to asphalt super mods. For the 1970 season, the PRA made the classes at the track, the claimers, (semi-lates), figure 8's and the new mini-car division. Glen Davis won the first dirt super mod. race, Ted Wise won the last race. Jim Sarasnick won the first asphalt late model race, Dave Richard won the last on June 1, 1969. The last races ever run at the track in 1970 were won by Bucky Johnson (claimer), Don Klingensmith (mini-car) and Dave Duggan (figure 8). The track is still there. ___________________________________________

Hatfield Speedway - PA (aka: Hatfield Hi-Speedway) 1/2-mile dirt oval (1922 - 6/8/41, & 6/15/47 - 1953) 1/2-mile paved oval (6/19/54 - 6/25/59) 1/3-mile dirt oval was built inside of the 1/2 mile oval (6/26/54 - 9/24/66) 1/8 mile Drag Strip which used the 1/2-mile front stretch Hatfield was located on Fourty Foot Road between Cowpath Rd and Koffel Rd. and was on the site of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Installed a central-towers floodlight system to light the track for night racing - first used 7/3/49. Races through the years consisted of Midgets, Stock Cars and Motorcycles.

The following drivers were killed at the speedway;

Ernie Barelli killed in a midget race on 7/16/65

George Gancarz killed in a midget race on 7/18/64

George Fonder was killed in a midget race on 6/14/58

A 100 lap race featuring Stock Car Convertibles was held on 6/12/55 with the last race held on 9/24/66 which consisted of a 20 lap Stock Car feature event and a 100 car Demolition Derby. Tommy McAndrews won the last Stock Car point championship. The track was promoted and owned by George Marshman during the mid 50's until it closed. The site is now a housing development. ___________________________________________

Heidelberg Raceway - PA 1/4-mile dirt oval (5/31/48 - 10/16/66) 1/4-mile paved oval (5/28/67 - 10/7/73) 1/2-mile dirt oval (5/31/48 - 10/16/66) 1/2-mile paved oval (5/28/67 - 10/7/73) The 1/4-mile and 1/2-mile tracks shared the same front straightaway and were dirt until the tracks were paved in 1967 with a 1/8-mile figure-8 track installed in 1971. The tracks ran big shows (big cars, NASCAR, etc.) and midgets from 1948 - 1949, coupes from 1950-1960, Late Models and Super Mods replaced the modifieds as the top classes in 1961 with the Lates becoming the top class in 1962. The tracks were NASCAR sanctioned from 1950-1952, then MARC tracks in 1953 until the PRA (Pittsburgh Racing Association) took over in 1954. The tracks were a victim of progress as the land became worth more as shopping center than a speedway (,much like Reading). Wally Stokes won the first dirt race and Dick Mitchell won the last, while Bob Wearing won the first asphalt race and Ed Howe won the last. ___________________________________________

Herb Harvey Speedway - Lemon, PA 1/3-mile dirt oval (1973 - 1977) The track was located on Route 29 and now is an auto junkyard. ___________________________________________

Hershey Stadium - Hershey, PA 1/5-mile paved oval (5/18/39 - 9/11/41) 1/5-mile banked paved oval (4/28/67 - 1969 and 1982 - 1983) Hershey Stadium was built around a football field and owned by Milton Hershey. (Hershey's Chocolate fame) The first race was won by Doc Shanebrook who also went on to claim the 1939 track championship. ___________________________________________

Hughesville Fairgrounds - Hughesville, PA (At the Lycoming Valley Fairgrounds) 1/2-mile dirt oval (1929 - 9/6/41 and 1945 - 1952) The track is still there today. ___________________________________________

Hunterstown Raceway - Hunterstown, PA (aka: Hunterstown Speedway) 1/5-mile banked dirt oval The track ran go-karts of all types, and snow mobiles in the winter and anything else that might make money. The track was located just off US 30 between Hanover and Gettysburg. ___________________________________________

L.A.M. Stadium - PA (aka: Norristown Speedway) 1/5-mile dirt oval (5/31/39 - 9/9/39) The track was located on Fairfield Rd. between Jefferson St. and Lucetta St now the John F. Kennedy park and the grounds for the Sacred Heart Church. The speedway hosted Midget races promoted by Irvin Ives Bostin. ___________________________________________

Langhorne Speedway -Langhorne PA (aka: Langhorne International Speedway) 1-mile dirt oval (5/24/26 - 5/10/42) (6/30/46 - 10/11/64) located on Business US 1 1/4-mile dirt oval (5/11/51 - 53) (aka: Yellow Jacket Speedway; New Philadelphia Speedway ; Langhorne Short Track) 1/8-mile paved dragstrip (7/4/1958 - c. 1959) (1963) 1-mile paved oval (6/20/1965 - 10/17/1971) First used on the 24th May 1926, Langhorn, also known as the "The Big Left Turn", was built in 1925 to celebrate the Philadelphia Sesqui-Centennial celebrations, and was known as the New Philadelphia Speedway. It was built on marshland, and underground springs kept some parts of the track permanently moist and soft - cars would dig ruts in these parts of the track, and the summer sun would bake them hard. The section after the start was downhill, and was known as "Puke Hollow". Weekly big car races were run in 1941, one of 2 one mile tracks that ran weekly. For 1951, a 1/4 mile dirt oval known as the Yellow Jacket Speedway was built within the track, followed by a 1/8 mile paved dragstrup in 1958. Mike Nazaruk (5/01/1955) & Jimmy Bryan (6/19/1960) were fatally injured here. By the early 1960s, entry lists were dwindling, so in 1965 the track was paved, but this only increased the speed of what was already a lethal track. It was subsequently closed after the last meeting held on the 17th October 1971, and a shopping mall built upon it. ___________________________________________

Latimore Valley Fairgrounds - York Springs, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (1933 - 1939) The track closed when Williams Grove Speedway was ready to open. The track was located on Route 15, South of Harrisburg and is the current site of the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR). The track is still there today and is used twice a year for exhibition meets while a fair is hosted each June and a racing convention each August. ___________________________________________

Lewisburg Fairgrounds - Lewisburg, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (late 1920's - 8/27/32) The track was located at the Union County Fairgrounds. The site is now an empty field. ___________________________________________

Mason-Dixon Speedway - Sylmar, PA (aka: Milford Speedway) 1/2-mile dirt oval (1949 - 1955) 1/3-mile dirt oval (1949 - 1958) 1/2-mile paved oval (5/30/1957) 1/3-mile paved oval (1959 - 1962) The tracks were located near the Maryland border and now is the site of Mason-Dixon Auto Parts and junk yard. ___________________________________________

Nazareth Raceway - PA (aka: Nazareth Speedway) 1-mile dirt oval (9/24/10) 1/2-mile dirt oval ( 9/03/27 - 1932 and 6/29/47 - 8/28/88) 1/8-mile paved oval (early 1970's) Now site of Laneco Department Store. Nazareth Raceway was located just off of Rt. 191 at the Northhampton County Fairgrounds and hosted various forms of auto racing. Racing was known to take place prior to 1951 promoted by Tom Grbac and the Tri-States Racing Associates, Inc. However, it was Jerry Fried that promoted races at the track from 1952 to 1987. One of Nazareth's finest seasons was its last season under the promotion of the Cozze family in 1988. The final Modified race was won by Doug Hoffman on 8/28/88 who was also the tracks final Modified Champion who just beat out Butch Tittle for the crown. The site is now home of a shopping center which sets at the base of Nazareth's off spring, the Pennsylvania International Speedway owned by Roger Penske. ___________________________________________

Penn National Speedway - Grantville, PA (aka: Penn National Auto Track) 1/2-mile dirt oval (7/17/1971 - 9/1/1996) The track is still located next to horse track. ___________________________________________

Pottsville - PA (aka: Mount Carbon) 1/3-mile dirt oval (1956 - 1964) The site is now a housing development. ___________________________________________

Pulaski Speedway - Pulaski, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (7/13/1951 - 1957) The track was built and owned by Chester Thompson and was located south of Pulaski. Modifieds raced under the State Line Racing Association until it closed in 1957. One year the track did switch to NASCAR, but switched back the next season. Track is now a field just to the south of the Route 551 and 208 intersection on the west side of the road. ___________________________________________

Reading Fairgrounds - Reading, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (9/20/24 - 1942, 5/26/46 - 6/29/79) First race was won by Grady Garner on 9/20/24 with racesheld once a year as part of the annual Reading Fair. The track began running 3 races a year in 1932 because of the growing popularity of racing with open-cockpit sprint cars the main attraction. Last race was won by Dave Kelly on 6/29/79 driving a full body Modified. Promoters included Ralph Hankinson, Sam Nunis, Russ Moyer, John S. Giles , Albert Gaspari and Lindy Vicari. In 1955 Vicari bought in the Flatheads to compete on Wednesday nights, in 1957 moved the racing to Fridays and In 1961 ran the first special Modified event won by Bob Malzahn. In 1962 another trial Modified race was held and in 1963 weekly Modified racing became a permanent fixture at the track. Some of the biggest names to race at Reading include; Al Tasnady, Frankie Schneider, Jackie Mclaughlin, Rags Carter, Harry Moore, Budd Olson, Freddy Adam, Laudan Pott, Kenny Brightbill, Tommy Hinnershitz, Ted Horn, Bill Holland, Rex Records and Len Duncan to name just a few. On June 22, 1941, the ARDC presented the first-ever Midget race which was captured by Henry Banks over Harry Harper and Andy DeVercelly. Reading also held Motorcycles races at various times in the late 30's to early 40's and during the 60's, the front stretch was used for (1/16-mile) Drag racing at various times. Site is now the Reading Fairgrounds Square Mall which host the annual Reading Reunion which features past drivers and racecars that once raced at the famed speedway. ___________________________________________

Riverview Speedway - Williamsport, PA 1/2 mile dirt oval (8/17/52 - 1954) 1/3-mile dirt oval (1955 - 1957) The track was built by Vern Miller & Paul Barmer and was located off of South Beach Road. The site is now home of the Wetlands Campgrounds ___________________________________________

South Park Speedway - South Park, PA 1/4-dirt oval (6/4/1953 - 1968) The track opened on June 4, 1953 and ran under the Pittsburgh Racing Association most of its life and held the wanted Saturday night slot in the Pittsburgh area. The track was a NASCAR track when it opened, and became a PRA track in 1955 and ran under PRA thru the 1967 season. PRA driver Buddy O'Conner tried to reopen the track in 1968, but only ran a pair of races, on June 29, and July 6. The track was a flat, tight 1/4 mile. The track closed for good at that point in 1968. The reason the PRA gave up on the track was because PRA president, Ed Witzberger wanted to make improvements on the track, (including paving it, like their centerpiece track Heidelberg), but the land owners didn't. So they took over the Greater Pittsburgh Speedway. The first race winner was Rusty Whiteman, while the last was 1961 PRA Late Model Champ Don Luffy. Late models, super modifieds and modifieds raced at the track. Up until 2004 the track was still there, but has now been taken over by a high school that was built on the site. ___________________________________________

Stroudsburg Fairgrounds - PA (aka: New Stroudsburg Speedway) 1/5-mile and 1/2-mile dirt ovals (7/8/51 - 1959) Stroudsburg was located next to the airport on US Highway 209. ___________________________________________

Sycamore Springs Speedway - PA 1/3-mile semi-banked clay oval ( - 1970's) The track ran with late models, hobbys, and minis through the mid to late 70's. The track was located on PA route 116 midway between Gettysburg and Hanover. The track is still there, however it has been built on and around. ___________________________________________

Toppi Stadium - PA 1/10-mile paved oval (5/1/52 to 6/6/52) Toppi Stadium was located in Philadelphia at the intersections of Broad Street and Packer Ave. (where the Schuylkill Expressway over-pass crosses over Broad Street). The racing surface was wide enough for cars to run 4-wide all the way around. Drivers who raced at Toppi included Larry Bloomer, Charlie Miller, Dutch Schaefer, Tony Bonadies, Walt Fair, Dick Dowd and Steve McGrath. Three-Quarter Midget races were staged by the Three-Quarter Midget Associates under the sponsorship of the American Racing Drivers Club. On May 15, a six-car stock car race was held. On May 21, a 4-car destruction derby was held. ___________________________________________

Turnpike Speedway - East McKeesport, PA 1/3-mile dirt oval (1951 - 1955) The site now houses the antenna and station of WPCB TV 40. ___________________________________________

Warren Sport Speedway - Grunderville, PA 1/4-mile oval (1965 - 1967) Track was built and promoted by Ben White and it opened on Labor Day of 1965 running super modifieds and late models. Henry Jacoby won the very first super modified race. Track then ran semi lates in 1966 and 1967 on a quarter-mile oval. The track had big fields of cars and good support but closed for an unknown reason after 1967. Track is still there today located off of Grunderville Road near Warren, Pa. ___________________________________________

West Chester Fairgrounds - PA. 1/2-mile dirt oval (1920's - 1937) West Chester was at the Goshen County Fairgrounds located at Route 202 and Route 3. The site is now a cemetery. ___________________________________________

West End Speedway - Gilbert, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (6/24/51 to 1953) West End raced on Sunday afternoons which caused local churches to banded together to have the track shut down. The track was located in the middle of Gilbert, at the intersections of Route 209 and Gilbert Road. ___________________________________________

West Side Park - Kingston, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (1919) The track that was supposed to be the first race track with lights although cars never raced under the lights and only horses did. Only several car races were held on the track before it closed. It was closed for progress as new housing was built on the site. The track would have been on the west end of Kingston. ___________________________________________

Warminster Speedway - PA Early in the 20th century there was a plan to bring "big time" racing to Warminster. Had it succeeded Warminster might be a quite different town today. Perhaps the Indy we know now would have been here! Construction began but the depression brought it to a halt. ___________________________________________

York Fairgrounds - York, PA 1/2-mile dirt oval (7/4/11 - 1934, 5/30/41, 1946 - 1953 and 7/4/60 - 6/15/80) The track is still there and located at the York Interstate Fairgrounds. ___________________________________________

York U.S. 30 Dragway - York, PA (aka: Thomasville Airport) 1/4-mile paved drag strip (1961 - 1977) York is located West of town on Route 30. York held the largest one day drag race event in the nation in 1965 with the running of the Super Stock Nationals. Arnie Beswick drove to the first 9 second run in a Funny Car on 4/17/65.

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