HARRISBURG, N.C. — A recent journey into the SPEED SPORT archives reminded us of an earlier era when local short tracks — many of them with dirt surfaces — formed the foundation for Bill France’s fledgling stock car circuit.
But that foundation eventually began to crack, so France took his premier series in a new direction, one that would better position it for the future. Dirt tracks were dropped from the schedule, new intermediate tracks were added as soon as the paint was dry on the retaining walls and television coverage became an important part of the equation.
A lot has changed since the 1950s and ’60s when NASCAR’s best racers barnstormed the nation, but many of the short tracks they visited are still active, including these seven:
Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, Pa.
One of the premier sprint car facilities in central Pennsylvania, the list of race winners at the three-eighths-mile clay oval is topped by Fred Rahmer, Steve Smith and Bobby Allen, but it also includes NASCAR legends Junior Johnson, Lee Petty and David Pearson.
Built in 1953 by promoter Hilly Rife, Lincoln Speedway hosted seven NASCAR Cup Series races between 1955 and ’65. Buck Baker was a two-time Lincoln winner while Johnson, Marvin Panch, Petty, Pearson and Dick Hutcherson also celebrated victories.
Curtis Turner topped a NASCAR Convertible Series race there on July 21, 1956.
Winchester Speedway, Winchester, Ind.
The half-mile race track opened in 1916 and its high-banked turns became legendary. Eventually paved, the Winchester 400 super late model race has been the facility’s headline event since 1970.
A popular destination for AAA open-wheel racing, the NASCAR Cup Series visited on Oct. 15, 1950. Some 5,000 fans saw Lloyd Moore, of Frewsburg, N.Y., beat Bucky Sager in a 200-lap event. Only 13 cars started as the series also raced that day at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The Cup Series never returned.
Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola, Fla.
Home of the prestigious Snowball Derby since 1968, Five Flags Speedway hosted its first race on May 31, 1953, and the NASCAR Cup Series visited the paved half-mile oval for the first and only time two weeks later on Sunday, June 14.
Herb Thomas, driving his No. 92 Hudson Hornet, was leading when rain forced NASCAR officials to red flag the race with only 140 of the scheduled 200 laps complete. Thomas banked $1,000 for his fourth victory of the season.
Fonda Speedway, Fonda, N.Y.
Today, the half-mile dirt track located on the Fonda Fairgrounds is promoted as “The Track of Champions,” and it is best known for the Fonda 200, a marquee Short Track Super Series modified event.
Opened in 1953, the NASCAR Cup Series stars raced at Fonda Speedway four times. Moonshine runner Junior Johnson won the first visit on June 18, 1955. Then, the Cup Series cars didn’t return until July 14, 1966, when David Pearson avoided a five-car crash early and went on to notch his 11th of 15 wins that season. Richard Petty celebrated Fonda victories in 1967 and ’68.
Sharon Speedway, Hartford, Ohio
1995 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion and longtime NASCAR driver Dave Blaney is among the group that currently owns and operates this popular dirt track that opened in 1929.
Lee Petty won Sharon Speedway’s only NASCAR Cup Series race on May 23, 1954. Wheeling his No. 42 Chrysler, Petty took command from Buck Baker on lap 101 and was leading on lap 160 of the scheduled 200 when rain sent the estimated 4,000 fans home early.
Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Willams Grove Speedway has been a showcase for American open-wheel racing since builder Roy Richwine opened the gates to the half-mile clay oval in May 1939.
On June 17, 1954, it was the stock cars of the NASCAR Cup Series that attracted an estimated 21,600 fans to the central Pennsylvania track. They saw Herb Thomas beat Dick Rathmann to the checkered flag by four cars lengths. The two Hudson drivers traded the lead six times before Thomas paced the final 138 laps in NASCAR’s only visit to the Grove.
Merced Speedway, Merced, Calif.
Located on the Merced County Fairgrounds, Merced Speedway has been a hotbed for auto racing in California’s Central Valley since 1950. The track’s current schedule runs from March to November and is headlined by the World of Outlaws sprint cars and the USAC National midgets.
But way back on June 3, 1956, stock car racing was the hottest ticket in town when the NASCAR Cup Series visited the half-mile dirt oval. Herb Thomas started from the pole in one of Carl Kiekhaefer’s Chryslers and led the 200-lap event flag to flag. Parnelli Jones ran among the leaders until he lost a wheel on lap 181.
And to think, I used to dismiss studying history as a waste of time.
THIS ARTICLE IS REPOSTED FROM THE MARCH, 20th EDITION OF SPEED SPORT INSIDER
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