In Remembrance... The Ghosts of old race tracks - Page 12 - Auto Racing Memories

Mitch G. · 04-07-2016, 09:45 AM

Andrew, here are the pages from Allen Brown's book, let me know if you can see them and can print them.

Andrew4180 · 11-27-2016, 10:52 PM

Long time no see fellas.

Heres a new one for ya.

Green Top Speedway A 1/5 mile dirt oval, located in Joplin, Missouri. This track operated from 1946-1954. Not much remains today aside from around 100ft of grandstand and some foundations from buildings that no longer stand. The track is all still there, although reclaimed by nature

Mitch G. · 12-05-2016, 10:54 AM

Interesting find Andrew! must be a lot of old tracks scattered about the United States, like this one. Good job!

Andrew4180 · 12-17-2016, 08:48 PM

Got 2 more for ya.

63 Speedway:

https://www.facebook.com/16901974012...62360270790946

A 1/4 mile, high banked, paved oval in West Plains, Missouri. At this time, very little information is known on this facility. It only ran from 1967 to 1968 as a paved track, word from locals is that it was dirt before, but its unconfirmed, as is the age of the track. Today, the track surface remains, as overflow parking for a church onsite.

Springfield-Ozark Dragway:

https://www.facebook.com/16901974012...62365654123741

A 1/4 mile dragstrip with a wild left hand turn in the shutdown area in Ozark, Missouri. Operated from 1963 until the mid 1970s.Big names such as Garlits and Kalitta competed here. The track is most commonly known for the passing of Lou Cangelose, the owner/driver of the "Missouri Missile" Top Fuel dragster. Today, its a residential street, called Indian Valley Drive.

Andrew4180 · 02-26-2017, 12:50 AM

Heres one that hit me close to home. This track WAS home. From 2000-2006 me and my dad never missed a Saturday night, rain, shine, sprint cars, late models, weekly beating and banging in the bombers, we saw it all. Greatest facility in America, gone because of a 5 cent manager.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ghosttra...03199383373701

Mitch G. · 03-03-2017, 10:18 AM

Great work Andrew, sorry I've been away from this site for awhile, my password keeps needing re-setting, and I'm lazy.

Andrew4180 · 03-06-2017, 12:09 AM

All good Mitch, been busy here recently myself, just updating when I have something new!

Located in Muskogee, Oklahoma at the Muskogee State Fairgrounds, sits the dormant Thunderbird Speedway.

Originally opening in 1903 as a horse track, and holding auto races starting in 1915 until 1941, and again in 1946 with weekly racing beginning in 1955 and continuing until 2003 when the grandstands were condemmed due to the roof falling into a state of disrepair. The track re-opened in 2010, and ran until falling silent again following the 2013 season. The track has previously run under several names including Muskogee Speedway, and Muskogee Motor Speedway.

The track is a fast semi banked 1/2 mile, with a 1/4 mile oval in the infield.

Rumors have gone around about the track re-opening in 2016, which never came to fruition. And again in 2017, and so far, same story, however, the grandstand roof was removed, and the track has been cleaned up recently as seen in pictures.

Only time will tell if this legendary facility will ever see another green flag.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ghosttra...07249112968728

adrienne venditti · 12-11-2017, 07:20 PM

LOOKING FOR MIDGET DRIVER BIO FRANK SIMONETTI RACED AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE TRACK IS STILL RUNNING.. NEED BIO FOR A BOOK.

adrienne venditti · 12-11-2017, 07:23 PM

SEEKING BIO FOR MIDGET DRIVER IN THE LATE 40'S AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS. NEED FOR A BOOK. HE WAS VERY POPULAR AT SEEKONK. THE TRACK WAS BUILT FOR MIDGET AND RAN EXCLUSIVELY ONLY MIDGET UNTIL 1948.

04-07-2016, 09:45 AM	#111
Mitch G. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Age: 60 Posts: 1,106	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Andrew, here are the pages from Allen Brown's book, let me know if you can see them and can print them. Attached Thumbnails

11-27-2016, 10:52 PM	#112
Andrew4180 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Age: 24 Posts: 39	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Long time no see fellas. Heres a new one for ya. Green Top Speedway A 1/5 mile dirt oval, located in Joplin, Missouri. This track operated from 1946-1954. Not much remains today aside from around 100ft of grandstand and some foundations from buildings that no longer stand. The track is all still there, although reclaimed by nature Attached Thumbnails

12-05-2016, 10:54 AM	#113
Mitch G. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Age: 60 Posts: 1,106	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Interesting find Andrew! must be a lot of old tracks scattered about the United States, like this one. Good job!

12-17-2016, 08:48 PM	#114
Andrew4180 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Age: 24 Posts: 39	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Got 2 more for ya. 63 Speedway: https://www.facebook.com/16901974012...62360270790946 A 1/4 mile, high banked, paved oval in West Plains, Missouri. At this time, very little information is known on this facility. It only ran from 1967 to 1968 as a paved track, word from locals is that it was dirt before, but its unconfirmed, as is the age of the track. Today, the track surface remains, as overflow parking for a church onsite. Springfield-Ozark Dragway: https://www.facebook.com/16901974012...62365654123741 A 1/4 mile dragstrip with a wild left hand turn in the shutdown area in Ozark, Missouri. Operated from 1963 until the mid 1970s.Big names such as Garlits and Kalitta competed here. The track is most commonly known for the passing of Lou Cangelose, the owner/driver of the "Missouri Missile" Top Fuel dragster. Today, its a residential street, called Indian Valley Drive.

02-26-2017, 12:50 AM	#115
Andrew4180 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Age: 24 Posts: 39	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Heres one that hit me close to home. This track WAS home. From 2000-2006 me and my dad never missed a Saturday night, rain, shine, sprint cars, late models, weekly beating and banging in the bombers, we saw it all. Greatest facility in America, gone because of a 5 cent manager. https://www.facebook.com/pg/ghosttra...03199383373701

03-03-2017, 10:18 AM	#116
Mitch G. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Age: 60 Posts: 1,106	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks Great work Andrew, sorry I've been away from this site for awhile, my password keeps needing re-setting, and I'm lazy.

03-06-2017, 12:09 AM	#117
Andrew4180 Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Age: 24 Posts: 39	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks All good Mitch, been busy here recently myself, just updating when I have something new! Located in Muskogee, Oklahoma at the Muskogee State Fairgrounds, sits the dormant Thunderbird Speedway. Originally opening in 1903 as a horse track, and holding auto races starting in 1915 until 1941, and again in 1946 with weekly racing beginning in 1955 and continuing until 2003 when the grandstands were condemmed due to the roof falling into a state of disrepair. The track re-opened in 2010, and ran until falling silent again following the 2013 season. The track has previously run under several names including Muskogee Speedway, and Muskogee Motor Speedway. The track is a fast semi banked 1/2 mile, with a 1/4 mile oval in the infield. Rumors have gone around about the track re-opening in 2016, which never came to fruition. And again in 2017, and so far, same story, however, the grandstand roof was removed, and the track has been cleaned up recently as seen in pictures. Only time will tell if this legendary facility will ever see another green flag. https://www.facebook.com/pg/ghosttra...07249112968728

12-11-2017, 07:20 PM	#118
adrienne venditti Newbie Join Date: Aug 2015 Age: 81 Posts: 3 Limited Membership - Awaiting Certification.	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks LOOKING FOR MIDGET DRIVER BIO FRANK SIMONETTI RACED AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE TRACK IS STILL RUNNING.. NEED BIO FOR A BOOK.

12-11-2017, 07:23 PM	#119
adrienne venditti Newbie Join Date: Aug 2015 Age: 81 Posts: 3 Limited Membership - Awaiting Certification.	Re: The Ghosts of old race tracks SEEKING BIO FOR MIDGET DRIVER IN THE LATE 40'S AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS. NEED FOR A BOOK. HE WAS VERY POPULAR AT SEEKONK. THE TRACK WAS BUILT FOR MIDGET AND RAN EXCLUSIVELY ONLY MIDGET UNTIL 1948.