Tracks Gone But Not Forgotten

Does anyone know anything about Kings Mountain Speedway? One book has something about it being a pumpkin farm after its demise. I have a trophy awarded to Bobby Isaac on Easter 1956 from therefor what I assume was a sportsman race. I’d never heard of it before, so any response would be most ‘preciated!

Thanks for looking. I’ll look forward to hearing if you find anything.

DON, I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE TRACK WAS LOCATED, BUT I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TRACK AND SOME OF THE CARS FROM THE LATE 50’S. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF THE BOBBY ISAAC CAR THAT WON THE RACES AT THE KINGS MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY. BOBBY ALSO RAN OVER AT HARRIS SPEEDWAY IN HARRIS, N.C.. IF YOU WILL CONTACT ME AT [email removed] I’D BE GLAD TO SEND THE PICTURES I HAVE TO YOU VIA E-MAIL AND ALSO PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH A MAN IN KINGS MOUNTAIN THAT USED TO RACE AT THE TRACK….HE’S THE ONE I GOT MY PICTURES FROM. ALSO BOBBY ISAAC AT THE TIME DROVE A WHITE 32 FORD # 6nc OUT OF FRANK HEAFNER’S GARAGE IN CHERRYVILLE, N.C. NED SETZER ALSO DROVE AN IDENTICAL CAR FOR FRANK AND HE AND BOBBY WERE TERROR ON THE TRACKS BACK THEN…THEY WON A LOT OF RACES….AT THE (NOW GONE) RUTHERFORD COUNTY SPEEDWAY IN SPINDALE, N.C. AND THE HARRIS SPEEDWAY IN HARRIS, N.C. (STILL RUNNING AFTER 54 YEARS) AND THE CHEROKEE SPEEDWAY IN GAFFNEY, S.C. ( STILL RUNNING ) AND THE ( NOW GONE) CHESSNEE AND COW PENS SPEEDWAYS……..AND OF COURSE THE ( NOW GONE) CONCORD SPEEDWAY AND THE KINGS MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY…..THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLE DAYS….THAT’S ABOUT ALL I KNOW ABOUT THE ( NOW GONE)….KINGS MTN. SPDWY BUT COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT NED AND BOBBY…………AND THEIR FELLOW DRIVERS BACK IN THE 50’S AND 60’S…IF YOU WANT THE PICTURES….WRITE…….SEE YA, RANDY

Do any of you remember KK raceway in Kaukauna Wisconson ?

No body? lots of nascar drivery started there Kaukauna Wisconson

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER AHEVILLE SPEEDWAY? THERE WAS SOME GREAT RACING THERE.

I REMEMBER WATCHING SOME GREAT RACING DOWN THERE! THERE WAS SOME OF THE BEST DRIVERS LIKE BOB AND ROBERT PRESSLEY AND JACK INGRAM DOWN THERE.

There was many Friday nights that we jumped across the mountain from Johnson City to come to AMS. It was so relaxing after a long week at work to come out and hear the kind words of track chaplain Richard Bellflower. And Walter Faulkner was one of the most knowledgeable and entertaining track announcers ever. The fans at Ashville were always so generous, when it came to helping those in need when the helmets were passed thru the stands. The racing there was some of the best I’ve ever seen, anywhere anyplace anytime. I often wonder if the city of Ashville will ever know what they lost when they chose to close this great little speedway down.——What a shame—-What a loss.

don’t forget lee tisssot and jimmy doyle and those chicken coop guys.who could forget #55 clyde flowers.I remember lloyd slagle doing a hood dance on bobs car

richard bellflower was great as was walt,also some of the best corndogs around

yup danny castreel your right. it was right above mcormick field. i can see the stands and the football posts of what used to be asheville motor speedway and its now called memorial stadium for high school football. they started talking about a new asheville but havent heard anything else. some of the greatest stars in nascar raced down there. names including. Dale Earnhardt, Jack Ingram, Robert Pressly,and more. cant belevie they shut it down and turned it into a football field =(

I live here by the old asheville speedway and it is actually a hockey rink and bike speedway and a park. just what asheville needs another park for the drug dealers.

Me and my dad went to Asheville speedway every friday night. I have lots of fond memories down on the river. Pete Sylvia was my favorite. Randy Porter was also very fast in a ford there. Love those fords. My best memories are one night after the late model race Mike Pressley let me set in his #81 Oakwood homes car. Wish they were still running circles there!!!!!

I have been to Ashville Speedway a few times as a crewmember with the Late Butch Lindley !!!

JACOB, DID YOU KNOW THAT McCORMICK FIELD WAS AT ONE TIME A GREAT RACE TRACK IN ASHEVILLE? SOME OF THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME RAN UP THERE LIKE RALPH EARNHARDT, NED JARRETT, BANJO MATTHEWS, JUNIOR JOHNSON, DICKIE PLEMMONS AND THE STANDS WERE FILLED FOR ALMOST EVERY RACE….THANKS, RANDY

I remember seeing some of the best drivers race there. Bob Preesley,Jack Ingram,Harry Gant,Tommy Houstan,Morgan Shepard,Bosco Lowe,Ned Setzer,Roy Trantham and many more.Spent many friday nights “down by the river side.”

Every time I going west on I-40 though Asheville, when I look over and see what the City of Asheville has done to one of the best little short tracks in the southeast,it just breaks my heart.

RIVERSIDE &ONTARIO ARE THE TWO RACES IN CALIF THAT SHOULD BE THERE NOT AUTO CLUB OR SEARS POINT

THE BEST THERE IS THE BEST THERE WILL EVER BE

THANKS TROY BUT THERES A MALL WERE THE GREATEST ROAD COURSE EVER USE TO SET I SAW MY VERY FIRST NASCAR CUP RACE THERE IN 1965 WAY BEFORE YOU WERE BORN BUT I DON’T HOLD THAT AGAINS YOU LOL

Raceway Park in Blue Island, Il it was just a little ole local track, but it was the first one I ever went to (I was 4) my mom sais they closed in 2000 or 2001 www.racewayparkhistory.com has some great pics of drivers who raced there and/or the surrounding tracks among them mark martin, dick trickle, darrell waltrip, alan kulwicki

Wow, I too used to go to Raceway Park. I had no idea that the NASCAR racers that you mentioned used to race there. Learn something new every day.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTEN SOME GREAT NASCAR DRIVERS AND MEMORIES CAME OUT OF THEM TRACKS

MORE

Was an old half mile dirt track in NC.Does any body remember this track?

Yes I remember Wilson County Speedway , some of the memories as if it were yesterday , I probably went to somewhere a hundred races or so , I became the Tracks Photographer in the late eighties for a couple of years .

It was a fairgrounds harness racing track turned stock car track.I raced a street stock there in 1985 and 1986. I really liked racing there. Long straights and flat turns.

We raced there from 83 TO 89 when the track closed in the street stock class won the trackchampionship in 87 and won the first two races we ran at WCS Had lots of great memories therereally miss that track ..

Spent many a wonderful night there in the 70s.

T.L. I raced at Wilson in ther late 60s thru the 70s. West Brothers Racing out of Rocky Mount. Roger Mathews was our last driver. I have restored Milton Farmers last Modified and have Charlie Georges 36 coupe as well. Do you know the name of the photographer during that time. I just cant remember his name. I would like to get my hands on as many pictures from Wilson as possible. Any help would be appreciated.

attended many races there over the years i enjoyed every one really miss this place

Here’s a link to the Remembering Wilson County Speedway page:

http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/group/wilson-county-speedway-memories

The largest dedicated racing complex in the world between 1960 and 1970. One track remains, the 3 mile road circuit where Fireball Roberts won his last race. The Daytona International Speedway will fit in the infield of this former track that is being developed into Diamond Lakes Regional Park. Visit:www.augustainternationalraceway.comandwww.augustavintagenationals.com

Boy, they missed on that 1963 event…it should have started at high noon…or have an ending time of 5:00 p.m. and it would have still be a “500”.We were in the infield and I could hear a page for me on the P.A. system….it was very difficult to get across the track to the office to get the message because there was no tunnel or bridge…but, there was the helicoper that as charging $5 a ride…I finally chased it down, got a ride to the PR office, got the message, called the “emergency” number and was asked if I could pull a stunt on someone that night. Well, since it was a gag that paid well, it was worth the trip…but then I had to get the copter back over to the office so I could get back to my car.I used to really enjoy the half-mile track in the days I was handling the publicity for the track…now long ago and,seemminly, so far away.If any came to Coolumbia Speedway on April 25, we at RacersReunion.com hope you had a good time. Wait’ll next year!Jim Seay

Really miss the old Michigan State Fairgrounds Speedway track in Detroit Michigan. Used to attend the annual Labor Day Michigan 250 for the ARCA New Cars featuring stars such as Iggy Katona, Jack Bowsher, Homer Newland, Jackie Goodwin, Joy Fair just to name a few. Also saw the sprint cars run a 100 lapper on the big dirt mile oval with Waco Texas’s Gordon Wooley scoring the victory. Really miss the old fairgrounds track.Great memories.

George, I saw on the news that they are closing down the State Fair. After 160 years as America’s oldest State Fair, it is no more. I know they haven’t raced there for many years, but it’s still sad. They said something on TV that there was a Nascar race there in 1951.Pete

Pete,I’d have to double check in my “Forty Years of Stock Car Racing” book, but they may have raced there two, maybe three times. I know Tim Flock won there, but I thought that was 1952. I’ve got a video tape of that race I picked up years ago at Charlotte’s Gift Shop. I have to copy it to DVD, I’ll let you know what I find out.

Yeah Dennis, let me know how many were run there. Had to be more than one; they used to have some big races there. Cool you have a video tape. I’m jealous!! I was going by what they said on the local news and you know how informed they are about vintage auto racing.LOL

JOY FAIR AT FAIRGROUNDS

WoWthat poster brings back allot of memories. My dad raced at that event at the Fair grounds. My mom was pregnant with my sister at the time and my dad got in a tussle and rolled the car. My mom stood up to see and slipped and fell through the Bleachers. Good thing we were only on the second or third row. My dad was driving a 56 Plymouth #447. All I have left is one picture of my dad working on his car in the pits at Mt. Clemmens and his Nascar Driver pins from 1952 through 1960. I grew up helping the Douglas brothers Al Douglas and Bill Douglas at there junk yard and work shop,Raceway Auto Parts on Van Born in Dearborn Heights across from Mayfair Auto Parts. Later on when I was older I hung out at J&D Auto Parts owned by Bad Jess Austin. Whenever he raced, he and Danny Byrd would gangup on Joy Fair with hopes that one or the other of them beat joy to the finish. Thanks for posting all the good stuff

Ernie

Located just south of Cleveland Ohio, almost where Interstates 77 and 480 cross, this 1/4 mile oval sat on one side of the Cuyahoga Valley, making for some great acoustics, similar I imagine to Thunder Valley Tennessee. It sat almost right next to the I-480 bridge, in some pictures looking toward the backstretch the concrete bridge pillars can be seen. Ran from ( I believe ) 1959-1990. Best track in Northeast Ohio in my mind.

one more pic I found

Bill: Cloverleaf opened in 1960 and closed after the 1990 season. I missed the first few years, being in the Army, but partnered up with two friends and ran in the old “hardtop” division, “pony cars” and late models. We sold our stuff to Ron Stokey in 1976 and became spectators, as the cost of racing and tires were out of our reach, budget-wise.

We run their back in 85 had a great time with some of the best peoplearound,Finshed second in points that year with the help Steve andJoy of steves corvette.Thanks For A Great Memorycraig (crash) jordan

It was a wonderful place.

Here’s a link to the Remembering Wilson County Speedway page:

http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/group/wilson-county-speedway-memories

Great track. Few years ago we lost Louisville Motor Speedway Seen some great racing there to.

Metro Detroit area track that ran from 1950-ish to 1985.
Some of those who competed regularly; Gordon Johncock, Ronnie Duman, Jerry LaBlanc, Jack Goodwin, Homer Newland, Benny Parsons, Ray Nece, Danny Byrd, John Anderson, all of the Baumgarten Bros., Art and Chuck Sommers, Bob Keselowski, Jr Hanley, Don Biederman, Tracy Leslie, Don Mallat, Jerry Makara, Joy Fair, Bob Merrifield, to name a few.

Mt.Clemens Race Track fan favorite. Norm “Parnelli” Tucker, from 1967 or ’68. Not the best of opening days for Norm.

THIS MUST BE THE PICTURE OF THE INCIDENT THAT EARNED MY DAD HIS “UPSIDE DOWN” TROPHY. WE THOUGHT THAT WAS THE COOLEST TROPHY OF ALL THE ONES HE HAD WON!

My brother John got those shots. He thought it was going to be a good shot but we didn’t realize how good until we got the slides developed. That was after he came back from Viet Nam, so a lot of the pics he took were a bit blurry because he was still trying to adapt to not having much use of his right arm. It’s funny, the third shot he took, the car was sitting still; that one ended up blurry.

Must never forget the 95 year old track in Birmingham, Alabama, BIR, that was truly am icon among auto racing venues in America. Older than INDY or most any other track she was totally destroyed after the 1999 season by the so called City of Birmingham leaders. As a young fan I saw L. Petty, R Petty, Fireball, Welborn, Baker, N Jarrett, Foyt, B Grim, E Sachs and countless others way back in the day when she still had a dirt surface. Later on came the famed ALABAMA GANG with Bobby, Donnie and Red that later grew to include Neil and Davey. Other greats included Waldrip, Freddy Fryer, Friday Hassler, J Ingram, Sam Ard, Morgan Shephard, Jody Ridley and again countless others. I called this my track back in the early 50S where I never missed a race as a kid of about 10 years old. I owned cars that raced at my track in the late 60S into the 80S. A young upstart started driving my car at my track around 1970 which became the best time of my racing life. Boy what a time to race before a packed house every Friday night with a car & driver that could & did win on a regular basis. I sure miss those times, did not know I was living racing at its best. What a history of drivers, I only stated a very few of them, I witnessed from the very early 50S until 1999 when my very good friend Ken McFarland will be known as the last ever track champion of my track BIR. Shame on you City of Birmingham for your passion to kill the last remaining oval auto racetrack in the city, no seed remains she is gone forever. You destroyed my track but not my memories. I will be hard pressed to forget almost 60 years of racing at my track or an upstart by the name of Neil Bonnett.

i went also in the late 60s early 70s but really cant remember who was running.but i love the thought i was there and it may have something to do with my passion for it now.

Early 70S racing at BIR included The Allisons, Red Farmer, Neil, Alton Jones, Freddy Fryer, Waldrip, Jerry Lawley, Jimmy Meams, Jody Ridley, Robert Wales, Dave Mader, Richard Orton, Dennie Rewis, Ray Putman, Sam Ard, Jack Ingram and a host of others. Each name here has won at BIR some of them have many many victories at this most respected race track. In my last post I said BIR was destroyed in 1999, getting old we lost BIR in 2009. Sorry for the error.

Race tracks will come and go, but the Beach-Road Course at Daytona Beach will forever live in the memory of anyone who ever saw a race there. There was never a track like it before and never will be again. I often wonder what it would look like with the cars and drivers of today and how they would fair on the great sand speedway of yesterday.

Thanks Bill, JA Group, There was NEVER a sight or sound like them cars coming up the beach to the north turn and down the road. From bees to bombers back to bees! If you ever get a chance to see the old movies (and guess what narrated by Howard Cosell) do so. Oh the memories and how I miss Robinson’s Restaurant where we all (including the drivers) hung-out! Got my first taste of southern ice cream – GRITS there in 1953.

Keep the memories coming. I grew up in Holly Hill and my first race was the April 1946 race won by Red Byron. I saw most of the races until I left for college in the fall of 1951. I swept Smokey’s garage out on a couple of Saturdays, but A&P groceries paid more. I was a 16 year old kid that Smokey sent to buy a six pack of beer at the blind Greek’s store across the street. The beer was for the agreement for Fireball to drive for Roy Jones’ white no.11, he finshed second to Gober Sosbee in 1950. My Cushman was broken down for the 1950 strictly stock race, so with a buddy I went over to Main st and bummed a ride with the first car we saw, it was Jack Smith’s new Olds. After the race we were able to get a ride home with Smokey on his pretty converted WW2 Dodge command car wrecker. We were on the left running board, Fireball and his girl friend were on the right and Marshal Teague and his wife were in a Lincoln on the hook. Could that happen, today? I believe Marshal Teague was the best stock car racer of all time.

DeLand Raceway was operated by promoter Jim Trickey until the early 1970’s and was basically shut down by the city as housing developements moved closer to the track and the residence didn’t like the noise or the dust.

The track was a dirt mildly banked 3/8th mile and ran a three classes of cars ( Late Model, Bomber, and Mini Stock ) Every Saturday night. The biggest event of the year was in February being the Cavalcade of Auto Racing run in 1971-1972.

The stars at DeLand were many, some names you’ll know, like Curtis Crider and Larry Flynn. Others like Wild Bill Jones, Batman Bob Whitaker, Randy Connell,Tug Wilson, Jimmy Stroud, maybe not so much….and in that list you can add Bill Rankin and Buz McKim too.

The track had a very unique feature because it was constructed from a dried pond it enabled fans to “drive-in” and park around the track in the turns and back stretch with the onlygrandstand on the front stretch.

I remember one night this really came in handy as the lights went out right after we had taken the green flag….quick thinking fans turned on their headlights avoiding a major pile-up. Being one of the cars in the field that night, I remember it well.

Thanks for looking at another ghost track from the past….but not forgotten.

Inaugural race was held at Byron Middle Georgia Speedway on May 10, 1966. Richard Petty won his 3rd straight race that day.July 3,4 & 5, 1970, the second Atlanta International Pop Festival was held at the Middle Georgia Speedway. It was a concert similar to Woodstock. Possibly as many as 600,000 people attended. Jimi Hendrix played the Star Spangled Banner just before midnight on July 4th.In 1977, the track was used in filming part of the movie Greased Lightening, starring Richard Pryor. The movie was based on the life of African American racecar driver, Wendell Scott.

I’ve got a friend that would like to make a virtual version of Middle Georgia for NR2003 and he’s asked me to try to find information about the track. I’ve found a few photo and have the layout but can’t find any documentation of what the banking is.

Would you happen to know how much banking it’s got? If so, PM, email or post!

Thank you

Georgia sports artist, Pete Henderson commemorated Middle Georgia Raceway with a commemorative painting of the track to preserve its history. Over 100 race car drivers helped commission the painting. An edition of prints were issued and are still available.

ANY INFO OR PICS FROM TARHEEL SPEEDWAY

1963 Ken Rush won m/s race there in Frank steelman Jr #9 modified.

From August 1963.

Diamond Speedway in Stokesdale, North Carolina

From Sept.1,1966 Southern Motorsports Journal

Rumley Wins At Diamond For 11th Time

STOKESDALE, N.C.-Racing in a field of 13 late model sportsman drivers, Jimmy Rumley of Greensboro recorded victory No. 11 at Diamond Speedway Sunday. But he had more proving to after the race.

A group of drivers and mechanics protested Rumley’s racer, but a check showed it to be legal according to track specifications.

Rumley won a heat race and ran away from all but Bill Hall of Burlington, who won the other heat. They were the only two in the same lap at the finish of the 40-lap feature. Bill Johnson of Burlington was third, Donald Tucker of Greensboro was fourth and Bobby Taylor of Whitsett was fifth.

Monk Tate of Ruffin also led all the way and notched his 11th triumph of the season in the 25-lap hobby feature. Tate’s only serious challenger was Red Justice of Burlington, who won the second heat, and started on the front row. Justice finished second, and Ronny Trent of Winston-Salem was third.

Does anyone remember Big Sky Speedway in Kalispell Montana. Anyone has any info at all please let me know. Thanks.

Located near Spring Lake N.C. and raced on Thursday night. Featured Hobby Division, Rookie Division, Modified Division and Late Models.

Photo below fromSherman Garris’copy of The Carolina Dirt Track Circuit from Sept. 1969.

Dennis, this is a very rare find, I’ve been searching for photos or articles on Harnett County Speedway for a long time now. Bobby Williamson and I took a trip to see the track and walked the old speedway a few years back. The track and it’s old cement grandstands are still there and with a lot of work could be brought back to life to possible host some stand alone vintage racing events, much like they did at Shelby last week. Thanks for posting this photo via Sherman Garris. Again, this is a rare photo. I wonder if Jimmy Edwards is the father of Hurricane Hank Edwards in the open wheel modified division that races at Fayetteville? I wonder if that is Hank with his Dad?

Photo below if of Herb Thomas after winning in the solo NASCAR race held at HCS in 1953.Photo from my personal collection, an original photo.

Jim, I remember Bobby talking about your trip to the old speedway on Racing Thru History. The young man on the right has been identified by Patsy Thompkins Keisler (Chubby’s daughter) as Dewey Shipman. He helped on the car but was not Jimmy’s son as the picture stated. Jimmy had a son Jimmy Jr. called Porky, but I don’t know about Hank. The name is familiar but I could be confusing it with one of the Parker boys. There were several generations of Edwards and Parkers from eastern NC that were some of the best.

hank was also jimmy edwards sr son

Sanford’s Jerry Wicker wins Modified 50 at Harnett County Speedway

FromSherman Garris’copy of The Carolina Dirt Track Circuit from Sept. 1969.

FromSherman Garris’copy of The Carolina Dirt Track Circuit from Sept. 1969.

Harnett County Speedway Grandstands

Harnett County Speedway front stretch, into turn 1, turns 1-2

Harnett County Speedway back stretch into turn 3, looking back at turn 3, looking back from turn 4-3, some race junk in the pits.

i really thank you guys for these posts i knew of this speedway but could never get any info on it it was nice to see the finishing order for the 100 lap race i recognize a lot the names and saw alot of the drivers race at leland wilson and fayetteville nc thanks guys

who was the promoter and what year did the track open i think it closed in 1970

my home track, freeport raceway park freeport ill. some of the greatest driver’s in the midwest raced here from 1948 – until september 24th,2011.

ANOTHER GREAT MID-WEST TRACK THAT RACED CIRCA 1948 ? UNTIL JULY 10th,1970

Yes you are right Ron, this was a fine track with fine people running it. I raced there many times as well as Freeport,Ill jERRY Wolland

Bennett, North Carolina

Bennett Speedway

By Dennis Andrews

Bennett Man Builds Racetrack That was the headline of a June 21, 1956 Chatham News article. Henry Baxter, operator of a service station and grill in Bennett, was a race fan. Not just a fan, he owned a 40 Ford racecar. Even more than that, Henry built his own racetrack!

The track was located Northwest of Bennett between Deep River and NC 22-42 about a mile past Pleasant Grove Christian Church on what is now Carl Brady Road on land owned by twin brothers Windol and Winfred Baxter. Henry formed Bennett Speedway Inc. with a $4,750.00 loan from The Chatham Bank in Siler City and enlisted the help of his first cousin CH (Charlie Baxter Jr.), Homer Brady, Walter Brady and Shell Jones to build the track. Homer ran the bulldozer and Walter built the fence and grandstand. Most if not all of these men worked at the speedway or were track officials once operations started. Philip Beck from Seagrove was called on to be the flagman. Bennett resident and Chatham Motors salesman Russell Brown became the public address announcer. John V. Thomas, Jack E. Dalton and Larry Thomas performed the task of scoring the races and Ottway Burton from Asheboro was the track lawyer.

The one third mile dirt track was 55 feet wide in the curves and 35 to 40 feet wide on the straightaways and was well banked giving it the potential to be exceptionally fast. The tracks third and fourth turns were carved out of a slight hillside with turns one and two filled in. The infield was dug out to ensure the fans in the 1,000 seat grandstand could see all the way around the oval. Charlie Baxter Jr. was quoted as saying We used 35 cases of dynamite and put in many hours with an air compressor trying to get the rock hump out from the middle of the track. Henry said that was a bit of an exaggeration. The grandstand sat elevated along the front straightaway with a 5 to 6 foot earth wall protecting the fans from the cars on the track. There was a large parking lot and a refreshment stand that served snacks, hot dogs and cold soft drinks. Having no lights the races would be held Sunday afternoon.

Bennett Speedway held amateur races featuring pre-WWII stock cars that could run 50 to 60 MPH in the turns. Most of them powered by a flathead Ford V8 engine with straight pipes. Coupes and coaches with interiors gutted, all glass removed, fenders cut out for tire clearance, doors welded shut and in most cases a homemade roll bar added. Front bumpers were removed and a toe bar added as most car owners flat towed because they did not have a trailer. Numbers were painted on the sides of the cars to aid scorers either with paint, tape or shoe polish. Some even had sponsor names on the cars but most were independent drivers that built their own racers. Aftermarket speed parts were limited at that time and purpose built racing tires were not available so racers had to rely on their own talents and ingenuity to make their mounts fast and reliable.

Mr. Baxter chose not to join any existing racing associations like AAA or NASCAR and went outlaw, that is how independent tracks were known at the time. This allowed him to set his own rules and schedule and helped keep the cost of competing down for the drivers. Henry secured insurance coverage for the track and participants, posted a purse and provided a trophy to the feature winner. Everything he needed to hold first class events. Henry was more than your average fan, wouldnt you say?

This years 4^th of July (2012) will be the 56^th anniversary of the first race held at Bennett Speedway. It was on a Wednesday in 1956. Henry secured the services of Sandy Lynch of Winston-Salem, long time stock car driver, as race promoter. Ads were posted in the Chatham News, aired on WNCA and posters distributed around the area. 1,260 grandstand tickets at $2.00 each were sold and 210 pit passes were issued to bring paid attendance to 1,470 people. Time trials were scheduled to begin at 1:30 P.M. and racing at 2:30 P.M.. Typical Tarheel summer weather brought thunder storms to the area as the race neared completion. Announcer Russell Brown recalled years later, The flagman looked at the dark sky, and looked up at me. There were 10 laps to go before the race would be finished, and he wanted to read my mind. First there was the white flag when I gave him the nod, then a quick checkered flag as the bottom fell out. You never saw so much rain and mud in your life! Henry recalls that they were there well into the night pulling cars out of the mud. They came from Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina to compete at this new venue and even though it was shorten by rain stock car racing had begun at Bennett Speedway. I have not been able to document the race results that day but records show $600.00 was paid in purse and tow money. Not every position paid purse money so Henry made sure every driver got at least $5.00 to get home on.

Race number two was held on Sunday, July 15, 1956. At least 45 cars took to the track that afternoon as 800 watched from the stands. Again, race results are not available, but since the purse was paid by check a review of the July bank statement reveals a good guess. The top money winners that day were Pete Yow of Sanford ($85.00), Homer Burhead Nantz from Mooresville, Ken Rush from High Point, Bill Hall of Haw River, Billy Foster from Thomasville, Ruben White of Asheboro, G.W. Gerringer of West End and Charlie Tyson. Larry Isley, A.L. Henderson, Sonny Cheek and Hal Cagle all got $10.00 followed by James Driver, Bill Eubanks and Dick Matthews. All other drivers received tow money.

A total of 13 events were scheduled thru October 7^th of 1956. Four rain outs brought the number of events held down to 9 with the last one being held on September 23^rd as both the Sept. 30^th and Oct. 7^th races were rained out. Only a few race results have been documented at this time and only one can be dated. News reports of racing back then were limited. A local paper could not afford to send reporters to the tracks every week and large papers usually did not cover small tracks like Bennett Speedway so it is very difficult to document race results. All in all the first season of racing at the Bennett Speedway could be called successful. Even with a drop in attendance of the September events they still averaged over 690 people in the stands over the nine races. At least Henry Baxter didnt loose any money that year, but he did not make enough to cover his debt either.

Although it may seem odd to many that better race results were not kept it is actually not all that unusual. Track operators had to keep records that pertained to taxes, every grandstand ticket was taxed by the state and the feds, but the pit passes were not, so they made these records a priority if they wanted to keep the track open. Henrys wife Colleen kept the books and wrote the checks so she is the reason we know the race dates and attendance figures. Coming from a racing family, I know that the racers first priority is to get the car ready to race and then to the track where you will hopefully make enough to get back for the next race. You do not think about record keeping while you are making history. Thousands of people have raced on the short tracks all over this country and won many races, but most cant tell you how many. They all were after that next win and not worried about what number the last one was. Most drivers from that time can only estimate the number of wins they had.

One race result was found where Henry hand wrote in a pocket sized memo book but no date was noted.

1^st Heat Harold James, Raleigh

2^nd Heat Jim Rumley, Greensboro

Consolation Race Melvin Gladston, Winston-Salem

Main Event 1. Bill Hall, Haw River

2. Jim Whittington, Durham

3. Jim Rumley

Asa Dail reported in the August 30, 1956 edition of the Chatham News. An incident occurred last Sunday afternoon that this reporter thought was very amusing regarding the fans who enjoy the races perched atop trees that surround the track. The track officials have a man that walks around the outside the track to prevent anyone from jumping the fences. There was a group of fans up in a tree getting a birds eye view of the goings-on so the man that polices around decided to get the fans out of the tree by cutting it down with an axe. As soon as the tree began to sway a little the group scrambled downward to the solid earth.

Year two at Bennett Speedway began on March 31, 1957 but only lasted a little over three months that included seven races, two of which were AMA motorcycle races. The March event was for stock cars and drew 425 ticket holders to the grandstand. April 7^th was the date for the next race but only 232 purchased a seat in the stands. The three other stock car races held in 1957 all drew less than 200 people. Henry Baxter lost money on every event. Less attendance meant less purse paid to the drivers. Most drivers went to tracks that had the highest purse or where their chances at a good finish were the best and the fans went to where the most cars were. As an example, the dirt oval at Rockingham was less than an hour drive from Bennett and was also an outlaw track so the same cars ran at both speedways. Early in the year the Rockingham Speedway also ran on Sunday afternoon and was drawing large crowds and paying top money. By late April or early June the weather was warmer and Rockingham would switch to running on Saturday night. Dont know for sure if this was a factor but for whatever reason the fans stayed away from Bennett Speedway on Sunday afternoons.

The first American Motorcycle Association race was held on April 10, 1957 with 1,200 spectators filling the grandstand to watch riders hurl those two wheeled machines around the high banked oval. It was so well attended that another event was scheduled for June 23^rd. On that day Henry paid a $600.00 purse but only 424 purchased a ticket. Colleens records show that Henry had to use personnel checks and cash to cover some of the expenses that day. It was the last race for Henry Baxter at Bennett Speedway.

On Nov. 21, 1957 Bennett Speedway Inc. was sold to Frank Pike and Vance Lowe both from Burlington N.C.. The property the race track was on was not sold, just the Incorporation. It can be documented that racing continued at Bennett Speedway in 1958 and it is possible events were held in 1959 as well. The following is from a newspaper clipping, possibly the Chatham News.

Races Slated For Bennett

Bennett, May 31 The first race of its kind ever to be staged in North Carolina is slated for Bennett Speedway Sunday afternoon when a field of 80 drivers compete in the first annual North Carolina Amateur Championship races.

Top amateur drivers from throughout the state will grind out 75 qualifying heat laps and then vie for top money in a 50-lap feature. Over $1,000 in prize money will up for grabs.

Established early favorites are Bur-Head Nance, Norman Vaden, Bill Hall, Ken Wilson, Wayne Andrews and Larry Isley.

Six drivers will be selected from each of four qualifying heats and a consolation to run in the feature race. The winner will receive, besides top money, a large championship trophy.

In the June 9, 1958 edition of the Richmond County Journal a picture of a young man standing beside the No. 8 Coupe was captioned:

WINS TROPHY Glenn Sills Jr. holds trophy won by Burr Head Nance Sunday for state championship stock car racing. The race was presented in Bennets, N.C. (Spelling as it appeared in newspapers.)

Put together these articles seem to be about the same event because I have found no one who remembers the track sitting idle for a year and then reopening. Most that have been asked how long the track was in operation will reply a couple of years or just a few years. The evidence appears to be three to four years.

I had the honor of meeting Henry Baxter and talking with him briefly about the speedway. He seemed pleased to talk about events that happened so many years ago but at age 89 did not remember a lot of details except that Bill Hall won the most races at the speedway. That explains why Henry had Bill drive his car a lot. Lacy Baldwin from Robbins also drove Henrys coupe, as a matter of fact, Lacy drove the racecar home after the last race. The end of Henrys involvement in the speedway did not dampen his entrepreneurial spirit. He purchased two Ford station wagons and as he put it Hauled folks to the mills in Robbins and Asheboro every day. At least until he learned that the law considered it operating a taxi service, which he did not have a license for. Heard about a man whos car had broken down along the side of the road when one of the station wagons came along. The man was picked up and carried to his home in Asheboro at no charge. An act of kindness not forgotten.

Today, since the second stand of timber has been cut from the site, the ghostly outline of the old racetrack is all that can still be seen. And that is if you are looking for it. The sound of roaring engines, cheering fans and dust flying through the air are only a memory now.

In closing I would like to I would like to express my appreciation to Henry, his daughters Karen Fields and Sherree Menius, Doris Beck and The Chatham News staff for all of their help in learning this part of the history of Bennett Speedway. I would also ask that those who read this and remember more of the history of the racetrack to please contact me and share it. Many will read this and learn of the race track for the first time. I encourage you to ask your parents, grand parents, aunts and uncles if they remember the speedway. You may be surprised what you learn. Many people in this part of North Carolina have been involved in stock car racing at all levels over the years and a lot of stories still need to be told. We have a rich racing heritage that will be lost if we dont record it.

Partial list of drivers at Bennett Speedway

Pete Yow Homer Burhead Nance Ken Rush

Bill Hall Billy Foster Ruben White

G.W. Gerringer Charlie Tyson Larry Isley

A.L. Henderson Sonny Cheek Hal Cagle

James Driver Bill EubanksDick Matthews

Harold JamesJim RumleyMelvin Gladston

Jim Whittington Norman Vaden Ken Wilson

Wayne Andrews Lacy Baldwin T.H. Buckner

Lahoma GarrettBobby HerndonWilliam Allgood

W.B. May Glenn McGee Billy Mitchell

Walson Gardner Morris Wrenn Bill Walls

Jack Whitehead C.L. Gibson Roger Swain

Jerry Long Edwin McMichail Bill Kendrick

Wesley Armstrong Lee Brewer Al Atkins

Bernice Mansey Dick Vicks Oscar Woods

Edward Everhart Burnic BelalockPreston Ingold

Herman Suits Franks Stevens Johnnie Ezell

Frank Wood Light Isom

Dennis – Excellent article, and research !! Thanks for posting.

Sunday August 5, 1956 results for Bennett Speedway

Burlington racer Bill Hall won the first heat, Larry Isley won the second heat and Lee Massey took the consolation race. Bill hall won the feature with Larry Isley second.

June 16, 1957 Bill Moon from Asheboro captured a 100 lap amateur feature at the Bennett Speedway. This could have been the first 100 lap event for the track as the Rockingham Speedway had held their first 100 race the night before and they were probably competing with Rockingham for car counts and fans.

April 14, 1958

Another report claimed they drew a good crowd of 1,200 fans that day. It also noted that Bill Hall had won the night before at Reidsville with Jimmy Rumley second.

April 21, 1958

Bill Hall made it two in a row at Bennett Speedway before a good crowd and a 37 car field. The car count required three heat races won by Hall, Norman Vaden and Red Estes. In order behind Hall in the feature was Vaden, Arnold Williams, Jimmy Rumley, Benny Davis and DeVoy Lindley. It turned out to be a great weekend for Hall who had also won again at Reidsville and Roxboro with Bernie Massey second in both.

1958 North Carolina Amateur Championship race

More press coverage found about the event.

Coverage of the event.

Another 1958 result.

Dennis, a bit over 30 years ago, a fellow employee of the Chatham News (also a Bennett resident) took me to the speedway site, and we walked the grounds. At that time, the stands still stood, covered in moss and growth – definitely a spooky site back in the woods – and you could generally see the outline of the track, in part because some ATV and dirt bike riders had been using the place. My colleague told me that the track had closed because of complaints from the nearby church, but I have no way of knowing how much truth there was to that. I was taken by the driver names in your story. The guys from the old IRA circuit (Rockingham and Sanford) would make up a good part of the turnout, you’d figure, but a lot of drivers were coming down from the other side of I-85 (or U.S. 70 in those days, I guess). Bill Hall, Jimmy Rumley, Larry Isley and company were usually up at Diamond and the other tracks up that way (was 311 around then?), so it looks like Bennett was drawing drivers from two different circuits. It’s a shame they couldn’t capitalize on that. I remember seeing the ads and stories on the speedway in the old bound volumes of the Chatham News, and you’ve really brought the place to life. Thanks. (Here’s a real trivia question: I also remember an add from around 1956 for Siler City Midget Speedway in Silk Hope. Do you know anything about that one. I don’t think there were ever any stories in the paper about it.) Thanks for your good work; good to be here to read the stories.

Frank, Thanks for the comments, I wish I had went to the site before it was claimed by nature. I don’t know if complaints from the church were the main reason the track closed but I do know dad talked about how careful they were when they passed the church on the way to the track to go slow and not make a lot of dust and noise. My guess would be the biggest reason was the success of Rockingham Speedway and Southern Speedway (now Ace Speedway). Not sure if 311 goes back that far but if it did it could have had a bearing on where guys like Hall and Rumley would have raced. I have heard stories about a go-kart track between Siler and Silk Hope off Snow Camp road. I’ll ask dad about it again and let you know.

Frank, Talked to dad and yes there was a midget track in Silk Hope in a field next to Mr. Hargroves.

Hi everyone, Ive been researching the old speedway here in my hometown of New Bremen for about the past twenty years, an addicting, fun project. Track ran from 1926 till 1931, when a a riot shut things down till 1947. The half-mile ran again from ’47-’66 on the dirt, was paved from ’67-’77, no races in ’78, and back to dirt for ’79-’80, with Steve Kinser winning the last race on 9/1/80. USAC, MARC, ARCA, WoO, stocks, sprints, bikes all ran here. THe “Big Cars” in the early years. Lots of history. I would love to hear what the rest of you remember from New Bremen, and will try and answer any questions you might have. I only saw ahandful of races myself, those in ’79-’80, as I was old enough to ride my bicycle out to the races then. We could alway hear them running in the years prior, but my dad wasnt into racing till I started taking him when I got my license.

Thanks for joining this group, Dave…and thanks for posting that bit of history. What a beautiful photo of the track in ’93.

Can you name any of the drivers in the cars from the 70 USAC race?

I’ll be following this post to learn more.

I would love to have you post these pictures (and more if you can) with captions and tags into our photo gallery. They will generate lots of interest from folks who may recognize them.

Jeff

Hi Jeff, the results from 5/24/70 USAC Stock 100-lap racewere:

1) Dick Trickle, avg. 86.41 mph, fast qualifier @ 19.64, 91.650 mph, his 1st USAC win

2) Roger McCluskey

3) Jack Bowsher

4) Bruce Sparrman

5) Billy Ries

6) ButchHartman

7) Don White

8) Ed Hoffman

9) Leonard Blanchard

10) Paul Feldner

11) Whitey Gerkin

12) Earl Wagner

13) Terry Nichels

14) Bay Darnell

15) Dave Whitcomb

16) Paul Baurer

17) George Giesen

18) Bob Harkey

19) Bill Jackson

20) Jim Nussbaum

Great to hear from you Paul, Thanks for the pics. I have found many pics of the sprints, but the stocks are harder to come by… Thanks again, Dave

hey.thanks for the invite! i’m with ya buddy!

thanks for the invite, should be fun

I miss FREEPORT SPEEDWAY,NY,ITS were i got in to racing in the 70s.ray

There are a couple of tracks in my local area that are gone but not forgotten.1) Sanford(ME) Speedway 1950-19542) Arundel(ME) Speedway 1964-1970

islip speedway li ny,freeport speedway li ny

Beltsville Speedway, Beltsville Md. 1965-1978, NASCAR track that featured 10 Grand National, (Cup) races from 65-70, started running modified division when first open but after a couple years ran Late model , limted sportsman, anmd later street stocks. Bobby Allison and Harry Gant ran ther many times, Capitol college is now built on the site of the track.

finally got home from my dads heres some other tracks that are gone…”sportsman park speedway” bedford ,ohio” bainbridge speeway” in ohio -earl clay promotor” cumberland raceway” cumberland, maryland- airporti have the programs for these tracks but no other information.i also have a 1948 midget southwestern edition annual that lists all those tracks too, can list those if you like.

Sanatoga, Hatfield & Phila. Reading where the main tracks I went to as a Child. Best racing, Best racers. Miss those tracks.

San Anatonio Speedway (1977-2007), Texas Dirt Speedway, and Pan American Speedway. All were in San Antonio, Texas. Terry Labonte won the track championship in 1977 at San Antonio Speedway. (1/2 mile, high banked, asphalt). The first race I ever saw was at Pan American Speedway in the early seventies when I was about eight years old.

Danbury Fair Racearena…one of the best run tracks ever. The races were sanctioned by the Southern New York Racing Association (SNYRA). The track was well kept, and the drivers were all local guys. Probably the best known driver to come out of Danbury is Randy Lajoie…

Don’t forget the location of the last NASCAR dirt race…NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Winner of the last race Richard Petty..second place Neil Soapy Castles,,pole sitter John Sears….Yes, I’m hiding an answer to a trivia question here

I went to alot of these old speedways as akid and loved them all. I wish we could restore them all.

I miss the Checker Flag Speedway in Windsor Ontario Canada and the Nilestown Speedway near London Ontario!

Cloverleaf Speedway on the south side of Cleveland, Ohio. Set on one side of a valley, the acoustics were amazing.

For anyone who is interested in Michigan tracks, there is a site called www.waterwinterwonderland.com. It has 189 old race tracks and each track has it’s own page with comments and pictures from fans. This site has old theatres, drive ins, etc but the speedway section is a must see. i’m sure most of the Michigan boys have seen this site, but if you haven’t, look it over. Great page, Adam!!Pete

Mt.Clemens Race Track. My dad graded the track throughout my whole life until he took sick around 1970. That’s him in the 565 in my profile pic in about 1966. Both him and my mom drove back then. Actually, everyone in my family raced there at least once, with me racing the most.

Wow!!! It seems as though all of the tracks that I used to run are gone. My favorite Palm Beach Speedway (my first race), Hollywood Speedway (Fla. my first win), Hialeah Speedway, Middle Ga. Raceway, etc., etc….All gone in the name of progress. What a shame.

ARCA is going to the Palm Beach Road Course in Feb. 2010.

That’s not the same as Palm Beach Speedway.It was an oval.Dirt to start with then paved.It is no longer there.

I Really Miss Racing At The Shelby Fairgrounds And Rutherford Co Speedway,We Had Some Of The Very Best Racing And Drivers

I did say “road course”.

Does anyone have memories or stories of Sportsman Speedway that was in Johnson City Tn. The track closed around 73 or 74. Pictures would be great.

One track that has been “remembered” in various ways is Columbia Speedway.and that includes with a one-hour audio CD I’ve produced…a portion of the proceeds are being donated to the Legends of Racing Medical Hardship Fund to help racers and their families in need. Some of the greats – David Pearson, Richard Petty, Ned Jarrett, Dink Widenhouse and others talk about their experiences racing there as well as other previously untold stories..To obtain one you may contact me at (803) 781-877 or via e-mail a [email removed].

I miss the Twin City Speedway that was in Concord /Kannapolis NC. Not sure when it closed, but watched my dads,Frank Faggart, cars there. So exciting! Wish I had pics, but when my dad passed, a family member won’t let me have any. I keep hoping to see some pics of dad and his cars on here.

Y’all left out North Wilksboro…

I sure miss the lights and sounds of Summerville Speedway. (prior to Charlie covering the Ga clay with black death)

I grew up going to races at Tri-County (later Queen City) Speedway just north of Cincinnati. My dad would take me as a kid. Once I turned 16, I was always there. What a great track. When Bill Redwine was actually running the track (he leased it out the last yearsof operation), it stayed busy. Once paved (1972) it became the central place of a lot of the touring late model drivers. They would run TCS on Wednesdays, Indianapolis Raceway Park on Fridays, TCS on Saturdays, and finally Columbus, OH on Sunday. The ASA used to run there twice a year. I was lucky enough to be track help for Gary Bowsher’s rookie year. Man I loved that place. Since 1975 I haven’t lived closer than 1500 miles from there. I got to see it one last time in the fall of 2007. I nearly cried when I saw sapplings growing through the track and the concrete main grandstands. They demolished it 2 years ago.

As stated earlier, my dad is directly responsible for my love of racing. In 1975 I joined the Air Force. My final active duty assignment was in Tucson, AZ. I retired there in 1995. In 1993 I startedworking on a crew on an asphalt modified. I started racing my ownmodifiedin 1998 at Tucson Raceway Park. Unfortunately my dad never got to see me race, as he passed in January of 1997. It’s not that I was a great racer, and he missed seeing that. I just did the best I could, with the money I had. I just wish he could have seen me race just once though.

Tucson Raceway Park has been closed now for 3 years. I hear that there is new hope though, as a group has gotten together with the fairgrounds commission to re-open it. In 1992 NASCAR held the lease, and operated it through I believe 2001. This is where the famous Winter Heat races took place from throughout the late 90’s. Then they sold the lease to the famous Deery Brothers, that operate several tracks & sactioning bodies. Unfortunately we got the brain dead Deery, David. He managed to destroy that track in less than 5 seasons. That track was one of the very first tracks that had “intentional” progressive banking. TRP was topigraphically mapped by Bob Molder, owner of Wide World of Maps. They used thatto build Irwindale Speedway. Homestead-Miami, Bristol, and several other tracks were configured because of Tucson Raceway Park.I wish them all the best there in Tucson. The new name is Tucson Speedway.

It was nice of Jack Ingram to talk about Harris Speedway at the Hall of Fame awards show.