Forum Activity for @robert-mitchell

Anyone know what track this was in Salisbury, NC? **SOLVED** - "Salisbury Sports Arena"

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Robin, thanks for correcting me about the airport and drag strip. I originally thought that was a landing strip, and come to think of it, it's way to long to be a drag strip. I see the shorter black line of the actual drag strip now. You were very lucky to see the Grand National race there.

Do you have any idea about the tri-oval track off Bringle Ferry Road in the photos above? It was probably active when you first got involved in racing in the late '60s.

Anyone know what track this was in Salisbury, NC? **SOLVED** - "Salisbury Sports Arena"

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Wow, great articles Dennis! I was especially interested in the Tri-City mentions. I do remember you bringing it to my attention that Tri-City was active into the '60s which was news to me.

And also the mention of a drag strip at Salisbury Super Speedway. I see it on a 1964 aerial and when I first saw it I thought it was a landing strip for planes. Very interesting stuff I wasn't aware of.

Now, this track I'm wondering about couldn't be Salisbury Super Speedway though. The Super Speedway was about 4 miles southwest off the north side of old Highway 29.

Look at this aerial from 1964 and you'll see the Super Speedway and the drag strip in the bottom left corner, and you'll see the track in question in the upper right corner.

Thanks again for those articles! Great stuff.

Anyone know what track this was in Salisbury, NC? **SOLVED** - "Salisbury Sports Arena"

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Here is a track I've never heard mentioned. It looks smaller than a 1/2 mile, probably 1/3 mile maybe 3/8 but bigger than 1/4. It's a tri-oval, and it has what looks like high banked turns, and dirt grandstand carved into a hill. It was located on the north side of Bringle Ferry Road right before it passes over I-85.

The track doesn't appear on 1961 aerials, but does on 1964 & 65 aerials. It was nothing but a ghost by 1976 which were the next aerials I could find. Lifespan - somewhere within 14 years.

**SOLVED** - Read comments below.

1965 aerials -

Today -

You can still see the footprint of the east turns if you look close -

updated by @robert-mitchell: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM

Dave Fulton update

Administrative

Get well soon, Dave! You are missed here.

Ghost Track - Greensboro Fairgrounds Aerial

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Dennis, you're right. It was cut down from 1/2 to 3/8 mile, not 1/3. I'm not sure what year they did that either... '53? '54? It's probably in Perry's book.

Ghost Track - Greensboro Fairgrounds Aerial

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Thanks, Perry. I'm going to have to get a copy of your book soon.

Are there any other aerial photos of the track you are aware of? I'm going to keep looking. I would like to have one of the track after they changed it to 1/3 mile in the mid '50s.

Ghost Track - Greensboro Fairgrounds Aerial

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

I've see photos and movie footage of racing at Greensboro but I had never seen an aerial shot so I could understand how the track laid out in those tiny fairgrounds. After looking for years I finally found a fairly decent one from May 22, 1948.

It's a tight fit! If someone crashed through the fence in turn 3, they could've killed someone coming down that road.

updated by @robert-mitchell: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM

Elusive Ghost Track Found - Lexington's Lakeview Speedway 1948

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Yes, that's it! The cloverleaf that follows turns 3 & 4 of the old track is actually the on ramp from highway 150 to southbound I-85, so you would be driving the turns of the track backwards. I believe it's a coincidence the ramp follows the track, but it's still cool.

Elusive Ghost Track Found - Lexington's Lakeview Speedway 1948

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Elusive Ghost Track Found - Lexington's Lakeview Speedway 1948

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

I think I found it, Bobby. It's unfortunate they didn't have more from the dates the track existed, but you can see it in the infra-red shot from '72, and then what's left in '75 -