With the racing world paused amid the COVID-19 outbreak, SPEED SPORT is highlighting race tracks around the United States. This is part of that ongoing series.
Track of the Day: Hagerstown Speedway
Address: 15112 National Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Website: www.hagerstownspeedway.com
History: A few short years after the end of World War II, Stanley Schetrompf set out to build the track that eventually became known as Hagerstown Speedway.
Opening its doors for the first time in 1947, the track started life as Conococheague Speedway with roadsters and jalopies headlining the racing during the early days. The half-mile dirt track was eventually renamed Hagerstown Speedway and in 1981 Frank Plessinger took ownership of the track.
Under Plessinger’s ownership, the track has continued to evolve and remains one of Maryland’s most popular racing destinations. Through the years, drivers such as Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Ken Schrader, Steve Kinser and Jeff Gordon have turned laps at the track.
These days the track features four divisions, headlined by the late model sportsman class. James Lichliter is the defending track champion at the Maryland oval in the late model sportsman division.
The track hosts multiple Ultimate Super Late Model Series events each year in addition to a PA 410 Sprint Speedweek event in early July. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series typically visits the track early in the year, but this year’s stop by the series was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The season comes to a close with the annual Small Car Nationals, which is scheduled for Sept. 11-12 this season.
