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

webby · 05-20-2009, 02:39 PM

Old, closed race tracks fascinate me. Especially fascinating to me is seeing the remains of the tracks via Google maps or other sources. This thread is dedicated to cataloging old, closed tracks and their remains as they stand to this day.

I hope you will all help me add to this thread.

webby · 05-20-2009, 02:42 PM

My favorite race track of all-time Lakeside Speedway. Opening in 1938 and closing in 1988. A library of books could be written about the great race cars, drivers and races that graced Lakeside Speedway.

For more on Lakeside Speedway make sure to check out this thread.

Here is how Lakeside Speedway looks today (although I have heard it has been completely torn down since this image was taken).

A little closer....

webby · 05-20-2009, 02:46 PM

Century 21 Raceways. The 1/3 mile oval opened in 1971 and closed in 1973. Century 21 was located in Aurora Co just off I-70. One cool thing about Century 21 was it's seating, every fan had their own plastic "bucket" seat as opposed to traditional bench seating.

For more on Century 21 click here.

Here is an image of all that is left of Century 21 Raceway....

A little closer...

webby · 05-20-2009, 02:55 PM

Englewood Speedway was one of Denver Colorado most famous and remembered tracks. Englewood Speedway was opened in 1947 and was later paved and hosted some of the most famous races in the history of Colorado racing. Englewood Speedway was located near Hampden and Federal in Englewood Colorado pictured below.

Englewood Speedway Today...

Can anyone help me determine where the track was in the picture above? I can't remember. The "A" pin marker is directly at 2801 W. Oxford. It was just to the north of that marker right?

More on Englewood Speedway.

Last images ever taken of Englewood Speedway (images by Mike Bremkamp)

webby · 05-20-2009, 03:12 PM

Rocky Mountain National Speedway was a 3/8ths mile dirt track located in Commerce City Colorado. RMNS was originally named "Raceland" and was a large 1/2 mile dirt track. It closed in 2005.

RMNS as it sits today.
In this picture you can also see Second Creek Raceway the CARC raced on the paved oval portion of the road course a few times.

Here is RMNS a bit closer. How accurate is this picture does anyone know? It looks like you could still race there!

Olen McGuire · 05-20-2009, 04:28 PM

Here is a street view at S. Federal and W. Oxford looking North on Federal Blvd.
It doesn't seem possible that we would be looking at the parking lot at Englewood Speedway.

Olen McGuire · 05-20-2009, 07:09 PM

Eric shows a google aerial view of Rocky Mountain Speedway above and this is a present day view from Buckley Rd facing east where the stands use to be.There is hardly a trace of the old speedway left.Those aerial views were made a few years ago.A very sad ending.

Jeff Isenhart · 05-21-2009, 09:11 AM

The track at Lakeside has not been torn down completely and still looks the same as in the pics you posted. What a shame to see the old girl as she stands today. I have many fond memories of watching races there and as a crew member with Mike Barney and also being on the board of directors at one time. I also was on the crash crew for awhile with the RMMRA at both Lakeside and Englewood. Rest in peace Lakeside.

Olen McGuire · 05-21-2009, 09:43 AM

Here is a recent street view of Lakeside Speedway.
Taken from 44th ave this would be the rear of the west stands.

Olen McGuire · 05-21-2009, 11:49 AM

Here are some pics that Jerry has taken a couple of years ago.These really give you the feeling of a dying race track.

“What were once small weeds are now big trees growing up through what’s
left of Lakeside Speedway. I took these pics Labor Day weekend 2007.” –Jerry Lee
(J.L.M. collection)

(J.L.M. collection)
“This is what the North entrance to Lakeside Speedway looks like nowadays.
The refreshment stand is on the left while junk and debris fill the walkway.
Note the trees have grown so thick that they block the way to the East stands.” –Jerry Lee

(J.L.M. collection)
“Here’s the West grandstands looking where the start/finish line would be.
The thicket of weeds and trees are reaching the seats in the front row at
this point. The seats are covered in at least an inch of bird droppings.” –Jerry Lee

05-20-2009, 02:39 PM	#1
webby Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lakewood, Colorado Age: 55 Posts: 1,063	The Ghosts of old race tracks Old, closed race tracks fascinate me. Especially fascinating to me is seeing the remains of the tracks via Google maps or other sources. This thread is dedicated to cataloging old, closed tracks and their remains as they stand to this day. I hope you will all help me add to this thread. Follow ARM on Twitter \| Like ARM on Facebook Rat Rods, Old school Muscle cars. Advertising on Auto Racing Memories

05-20-2009, 02:42 PM	#2
webby Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lakewood, Colorado Age: 55 Posts: 1,063	Re: Ghost Tracks My favorite race track of all-time Lakeside Speedway. Opening in 1938 and closing in 1988. A library of books could be written about the great race cars, drivers and races that graced Lakeside Speedway. For more on Lakeside Speedway make sure to check out this thread. Here is how Lakeside Speedway looks today (although I have heard it has been completely torn down since this image was taken). A little closer.... Follow ARM on Twitter \| Like ARM on Facebook Rat Rods, Old school Muscle cars. Advertising on Auto Racing Memories

05-20-2009, 02:46 PM	#3
webby Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lakewood, Colorado Age: 55 Posts: 1,063	Re: Ghost Tracks Century 21 Raceways. The 1/3 mile oval opened in 1971 and closed in 1973. Century 21 was located in Aurora Co just off I-70. One cool thing about Century 21 was it's seating, every fan had their own plastic "bucket" seat as opposed to traditional bench seating. For more on Century 21 click here. Here is an image of all that is left of Century 21 Raceway.... A little closer... Follow ARM on Twitter \| Like ARM on Facebook Rat Rods, Old school Muscle cars. Advertising on Auto Racing Memories

05-20-2009, 02:55 PM	#4
webby Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lakewood, Colorado Age: 55 Posts: 1,063	Re: Ghosts of Race Tracks gone by. Englewood Speedway was one of Denver Colorado most famous and remembered tracks. Englewood Speedway was opened in 1947 and was later paved and hosted some of the most famous races in the history of Colorado racing. Englewood Speedway was located near Hampden and Federal in Englewood Colorado pictured below. Englewood Speedway Today... Can anyone help me determine where the track was in the picture above? I can't remember. The "A" pin marker is directly at 2801 W. Oxford. It was just to the north of that marker right? More on Englewood Speedway. Last images ever taken of Englewood Speedway (images by Mike Bremkamp) Follow ARM on Twitter \| Like ARM on Facebook Rat Rods, Old school Muscle cars. Advertising on Auto Racing Memories

05-20-2009, 03:12 PM	#5
webby Administrator Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lakewood, Colorado Age: 55 Posts: 1,063	Re: Ghosts of Race Tracks gone by. Rocky Mountain National Speedway was a 3/8ths mile dirt track located in Commerce City Colorado. RMNS was originally named "Raceland" and was a large 1/2 mile dirt track. It closed in 2005. RMNS as it sits today. In this picture you can also see Second Creek Raceway the CARC raced on the paved oval portion of the road course a few times. Here is RMNS a bit closer. How accurate is this picture does anyone know? It looks like you could still race there! Follow ARM on Twitter \| Like ARM on Facebook Rat Rods, Old school Muscle cars. Advertising on Auto Racing Memories

05-20-2009, 04:28 PM	#6
Olen McGuire Old Senior Genius Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alabama Age: 87 Posts: 518	Re: Ghosts of Race Tracks gone by. Here is a street view at S. Federal and W. Oxford looking North on Federal Blvd. It doesn't seem possible that we would be looking at the parking lot at Englewood Speedway. Last edited by Olen McGuire; 05-20-2009 at 04:34 PM.

05-20-2009, 07:09 PM	#7
Olen McGuire Old Senior Genius Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alabama Age: 87 Posts: 518	Re: Ghosts of Race Tracks gone by. Eric shows a google aerial view of Rocky Mountain Speedway above and this is a present day view from Buckley Rd facing east where the stands use to be.There is hardly a trace of the old speedway left.Those aerial views were made a few years ago.A very sad ending.

05-21-2009, 09:11 AM	#8
Jeff Isenhart Rookie Join Date: May 2009 Age: 68 Posts: 19	Re: Ghost Tracks The track at Lakeside has not been torn down completely and still looks the same as in the pics you posted. What a shame to see the old girl as she stands today. I have many fond memories of watching races there and as a crew member with Mike Barney and also being on the board of directors at one time. I also was on the crash crew for awhile with the RMMRA at both Lakeside and Englewood. Rest in peace Lakeside.

05-21-2009, 09:43 AM	#9
Olen McGuire Old Senior Genius Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alabama Age: 87 Posts: 518	Re: Ghosts of Race Tracks gone by. Here is a recent street view of Lakeside Speedway. Taken from 44th ave this would be the rear of the west stands.

05-21-2009, 11:49 AM	#10
Olen McGuire Old Senior Genius Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Alabama Age: 87 Posts: 518	Re: Ghosts of Race Tracks gone by. Here are some pics that Jerry has taken a couple of years ago.These really give you the feeling of a dying race track. “What were once small weeds are now big trees growing up through what’s left of Lakeside Speedway. I took these pics Labor Day weekend 2007.” –Jerry Lee (J.L.M. collection) (J.L.M. collection) “This is what the North entrance to Lakeside Speedway looks like nowadays. The refreshment stand is on the left while junk and debris fill the walkway. Note the trees have grown so thick that they block the way to the East stands.” –Jerry Lee (J.L.M. collection) “Here’s the West grandstands looking where the start/finish line would be. The thicket of weeds and trees are reaching the seats in the front row at this point. The seats are covered in at least an inch of bird droppings.” –Jerry Lee Last edited by Olen McGuire; 05-24-2009 at 01:31 PM.