RACING IN NEWPORT

H.W. Richardson Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal
This, the only photo of the Veterans' Park site, shows the venue as the further, more clearly visible oval. It is not known what the
other track was all about; but, it was probably a training track for the horses.

One of the very first places in the state of Vermont to offer regular stock car racing was the northern border city of Newport, on Lake Memphremagog. This burgeoning new sport was breaking out all over the area, with several tracks in northern Vermont and southern Quebec. Informal racing which began in Bernard Daggett's sand pit in Holland, Vermont soon outgrew that very limited venue and moved, with a newly - formed club called the Border Racing Club, to Newport.

The venue at Newport was a good one, majestic Veterans' Park, a horse racing facility on the northeastern side of the city. The facility management would not allow stock cars on its primary surface, but the jalopy cars would race in an oval just inside the main track. Early racing regulars included Bert Hauver, Sydney Carter, Russell Sykes, Daggett, and others. The new Newport racing program was fed by drivers who had raced in Canada, at Holland, VT, and at the fairgrounds track in Burke, VT. Ken Hitchcock and Aubrey Stoddard were other early stars at Newport.

Carter Family Photo Collection via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal
The race cars at Veterans' Park were often wonders to behold. The northern style of stock car was heavier and more apt to have an external
roll cage, than their counterparts further south in New England.

Excellent research from Scott Wheeler, of the Northland Journal, from the Newport area, indicates racing at Newport in 1950 and 1951. As early as the 1950 season, expenses for the Border Racing Club to use Veterans' Park were beginning to be a problem. Raymond Nadeau, a local man, had begun promoting races at Lyndonville, Vermont at a spot informally called Webster's Flats; and another local businessman, Howard Connelly, was starting to promote in other venues. Eventually, racing ceased to operate at Veterans' Park. Today, the site is occupied by the local high school.

Newport Daily Express Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal
Imposing Aubrey Stoddard is described by the Wheeler article as one of the most successful Veterans' Park drivers.

Newport Daily ExpressPhoto via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal The Newport flag man and some of the Powder Puffers.	Newport Daily Express Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Powder Puff racing was in vogue in the 1950's, and Jane Colburn was one of the best at Newport.	Ken Hitchcock Collection Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal The Border Racing Club seemed somewhat organized. This is a result sheet from the men's and Powder Puffs races.	H.W. Richardson Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Gordon Swett, at speed, on the Veterans' Park oval.	Ken Hitchcock Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal This is one of Ken Hitchcock's photos - but it is not Ken. He is, as yet, unidentified.	Ken Hitchcock Collection Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Ken Hitchcock ended up in Massachusetts after racing in Newport.	Ken Hitchcock Collection Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal George Roy
Ken Hitchcock Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal This is another of Ken Hitchcock's , as yet, unidentified men.	H.W. Richardson Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Somebody loses a wheel as Bailey, of Lyndonville gets by.	H.W. Richardson Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal via the Carter Family They often looked worse than they were. Rollovers were common in those days.	H.W. Richardson Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal via the Carter Family Another dust - up.	H.W. Richardson Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal via the Carter Family The lineup of powder puffers.	H.W. Richardson Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal via the Carter Family Some of the regular drivers.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal The cover from Scott Wheeler's second racing edition shows action with George Roy removing an obstacle for car 50 :)
Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal This shot not only shows action, but it gives a view of the announcers' stand.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal This shot shows how the stock cars could not use the nicer horse track surface. Rather, they struggled along inside of the original track.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal The Car 7 of Harold Barrup gets by one of the frequent tipovers that would happen on the bumpy track.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Young Roger Stoddard poses with Dad, Aubrey's car. I don't know if Roger went on to race or not.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal A local sailor, home on leave, doesn't flinch as cars roll nearby. You can see how this wasn't a very established track surface they were on.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Sydney Carter, with one of his cars.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal A Border Racing Club results ticket similar to one above.
Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal A Border Racing Club results ticket similar to one above.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Bert Hauver and his Flying 0. Bert is one of the few early racers whose family still has his archives.	Photo Courtesy of Hauver family via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Isabel Hauver, with Bert Hauver's Flying 0.	Courtesy of Ed Gould via George Hill The pits at Veterans' Park, with the 399 of George Roy, Paul Barnard's 500, and possibly the Lucky Dice of Bob Wright.	Courtesy of Ed Gould via George Hill Well dressed people mix in with the typical racing types in the pits at Veterans' Park. Several folks are checking out Sydney Carter's K5.	Courtesy of Ed Gould via George Hill A view from the stands across to the pits at Veterans' Park.	Courtesy of Gordy Owen Family Same view from the stands across to the pits, only later in the life of the track. Note how the horse track has grown weedy from disuse. Chittenden County invaders Gordy Owen [30] and the car ? are seen.
Courtesy of Ken Hermance The same view from the stands across to the pits shows the track has been used more recently [no weeds].	Courtesy of Ken Hermance The same view. A car flies by the judges' stand].	Courtesy of Ken Hermance The sedan photo shows howclose to the judges' stand the cars passed - and these weren't very dependably handling machines.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance Cars W and 19 fly by in close formation.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance The dust is thick as the neighboring houses by the backstretch gets a good view [and dusting].	Courtesy of Ken Hermance The same view - but of turn four action.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance This view really shows how the horse track separated the stands from the car oval. All of these photos from Hermance are blurry, when full sized. Cameras weren't as good then. I recommend reducing them in size.
Courtesy of Ken Hermance The often - photographed car W in the nexrt lineup.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance A view of turns one and two.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance A minor tangle in turn one.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance Similar shot to the first Hermance photo.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance Looks like lining up.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance Apparently, a winner's circle.	Courtesy of Ken Hermance Car L160 being towed.
			Courtesy of Ken Hermance Folks around Ken Hitchcock's 4.

Historic Aerials.Com Photo
In this 1943 topographical map, Veterans' Park is the lower left hand oval, seen almost in the exact middle of the map. [Below] This old postcard shows
Veterans' Park within the square. It looks like an oval pond or something. The scene has to be before the building of the union high school there.

cowcard.com

Ladabouche Photo
Charlie Nadeau looks out from turn one at his creation, a speedway built on top of part of his huge landfill operation in Newport.
Below - Charlie had run at the old Veterans' Park track, as evidenced by his name on one of the results tickets.

Hauver Family Collection via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal

Courtesy of Pete Racine
Charlie's brother, Ray, promoted races at the Webster Flats location in Lyndonville, VT, and Charlie raced there.

Historic Aerials.com Photo
I have made a calculated guess where the track was on the Charles Nadeau landfill site. See the white oval.

Ladabouche Photo
The Can - Am Speedway layout is well shown here, with a temporarily - watered, rough track, fans on the bank, and a simple announcer's stand.

Ladabouche Photo They groomed and groomed but the track was really rough.	Ladabouche Photo They groomed and they looked.. and the looked and they groomed and it was still rough.	Ladabouche Photo How rough ? Here's St. Johnsbury roofer Bob Ailes leading the late model feature. NEXT>>>	Ladabouche Photo Here's St. Johnsbury roofer Bob Ailes with his whole front wheel assembly broken off. NEXT>>>	Ladabouche Photo Here's St. Johnsbury roofer Bob Ailes, with his whole front wheel assembly broken off., hauled off by a junkyard loader. Nadeau must have seen Bob Bahre's forklift at Oxford.
Ladabouche Photo Sylvio Bilodeau, a veteran of 1950's racing, and his ancient Chevelle. He was running Groveton, NH regularly at the time.	A and A Ward Photo Michel Grand triggers a pileup in one of the turns.	Ladabouche Photo The Granby Speedway cars of Keyworth George [41] and Michel Garand.	Ladabouche Photo A field of primarily Groveton, NH regulars is paced by Cliff Dillon [10].	Alexander Photo Female star Linda Alexander puts her brown Granada in the lineup with the boys at Newport.
Alexander Photo The Alexander Granada afterwards.	Ladabouche Photo Denis Belleville unloads two of his cars. That's Groveton regular Don Kenison [3] in foreground.	Ladabouche Photo NH late model runner Bob Turner 333 looks into the teeth of trouble.	Ladabouche Photo Busy pits on a beautiful afternoon.	Ladabouche Photo Thunder Road and Catamount New Tiger Div. driver Buzz Sheldon hangs it out in Turn 2.
Ladabouche Photo A field in the frontstretch.	Ladabouche Photo A hobby heat starts to wind it up and go.	Ladabouche Photo The 24 develops a push as the hobby field goes through 2.	Ladabouche Photo The hobby feature tempts fate on the edge of Turn 2.	Ladabouche Photo Perhaps they scared themselves... and I know why.
Ladabouche Photo This, and more, would await you if you went off Turn 2.	Ladabouche Photo Have no fear, the infield safety crews are here.	Ladabouche Photo One of the Canadian late models spins.	Ladabouche Photo These locals seemed hesitant to unload this absolute beauty. No secret - did you see the rest of the hobby cars ?	Ladabouche Photo How embarrassing. Puking your guts in front of the stands.
Bob Dickie Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Fans of Denis Belleville	Bob Dickie Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Bob Nelson welding on a frame that has had enough of the rough Can Am track.	Bob Dickie Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Tech man Rick Thompson explains the ruling to one of the racing teams.	Bob Dickie Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Rapid Ted Burns was the victim of some rough riding. Bob Dickie Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Bob Nelson welding on the Burns car.	Bob Dickie Photo via Scott Wheeler's Northland Journal Street Stox action with cars that are likely Groveton regulars. The name Bennett is often linked to that track.
	Alexander Photo The Alexander family raced this Mustang before the Granada.	Alexander Photo The Alexander Mustang again.

Newport Daily Express Article about the grand opening. June 3, 1950.	Newport Daily Express 15 Hot rods ready for action. July 19. Part 1	Newport Daily Express 15 Hot rods ready for action. July 19 Part 2	Newport Daily Express 15 Hot rods ready for action. July 19. Part 3	Newport Daily Express Article about the grand opening. July 24 Part 1 1,100 people watch races.	Newport Daily Express Article about the grand opening. July 24 Part 2	Newport Daily Express Early action shows Bert Hauver's Flying 0 taking avoidance manuevers from a wrecking rival.
Newport Daily Express No racing to recondition track. July 28.	Newport Daily Express Advertisement. August 3.	Newport Daily Express Aubrey Stoddard featured . August 4.	Newport Daily Express Aubrey Stoddard featured . August 4. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Action photo . August 4.	Newport Daily Express Advertisement. August 5.	Newport Daily Express Mason wins next race. August .
Newport Daily Express Wreck photo. August 4.	Newport Daily Express Glenn Ashman photo . August .	Newport Daily Express Large crowd at races . August 4.	Newport Daily Express Hitchcock wins next race. August 14. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Hitchcock wins next race. August 14. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Hitchcock wins next race. August 14. Part 3	Newport Daily Express Jalopy may move; too expensive to run at Vet. August 19. Part 1
Newport Daily Express Jalopy may move; too expensive to run at Vet. August 19. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Jalopy may move; too expensive to run at Vet. August 19. Part 3	Newport Daily Express Advertisement. August 19. The concept of a busniessman's race was carried on by Northeastern Speedway 9 years later.	Newport Daily Express Advertisement for a ladies' race. August 26.	Newport Daily Express Aubrey Stoddard in #8 avoids a rolling car. August 29.	Newport Daily Express Advertisement. Sept 1	Newport Daily Express Advertisement. Sept 8
Newport Daily Express Ashman a September winner. Sept 11. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Ashman a September winner. Sept 11. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Isabel Hauver declared ladies champion. Sept 14.	Newport Daily Express Social notes about local racing families. Sept 15.	Newport Daily Express Advertisement - 7 fast races. Sept 17.	Newport Daily Express Greenwood a September winner. Sept 18. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Greenwood a September winner. Sept 18. Part 2
			Newport Daily Express Advertisement. Sunday Blue Law crackdown stops racing in Newport. Sept. 30, 1950.

Several articles about the 1951 season are labeled simply as "1951". I will put these all at the end of this section, as I don't know their chronological order.	Newport Daily Express Stock car delegation meets with the city. June 5, 1951.	Newport Daily Express Editorial about cars and horses on same track. June 14 Part 1	Newport Daily Express Editorial about cars and horses on same track. June 14 Part 2	Newport Daily Express Racers object to previous editorial. June 15 Part 1	Newport Daily Express Racers object to previous editorial. June 15 Part 2	Newport Daily Express Early July ad, as track defers to local fair.
Newport Daily Express Opening race card June 29. Capacity crowd. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Opening race card June 29. Capacity crowd. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Lancaster, NH driver wins. July 13. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Lancaster, NH driver wins. July 13. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Stoddard and Hauver winners. July 19. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Stoddard and Hauver winners. July 19. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Stoddard and Hauver winners. July 19. Part 3
Newport Daily Express 1951. Racing at Log Cabins Speedway due to muddy track.	Newport Daily Express Police warn freeloaders not to park above track. July 30, 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Police warn freeloaders not to park above track. July 30, 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Advertisement. August, 1951.	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins again. August 3, 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins again. August 3, 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins again. August 3, 1951. Part 3
Newport Daily Express RIchford driver wins again. August 24, 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express RIchford driver wins again. August 24, 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express RIchford driver wins again. August 24, 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Cancellation adv. September, 1951. They did this almost every Sept. Must have been a fair or something.	Newport Daily Express Headline adv. banner. September 26, 1951.	Newport Daily Express Trophy Race planned. September, 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Trophy Race planned. September, 1951. Part 2
Newport Daily Express Trophy Race planned. September, 1951. Part 3	Newport Daily Express Local racers try the big race at Colchester Raceway. October, 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Local racers try the big race at Colchester Raceway. October, 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Local racers try the big race at Colchester Raceway. Wright hurt. October 15, 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Alvin Royer wins. 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Alvin Royer wins. 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Paul Barnard wins 1951. Part 1
Newport Daily Express Paul Barnard wins 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Paul Barnard wins 1951. Part 3	Newport Daily Express Basil Royer wins. Many "outside" drivers. 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Basil Royer wins. Many "outside" drivers. 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Basil Royer wins. Many "outside" drivers. 1951. Part 3	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins again. 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins again. 1951. Part 2
Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins again. 1951. Part 3	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins again. 1951. Part 4	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins yet another. 1951. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins yet another. 1951. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills wins yet another. 1951. Part 3

If there are articles about the 1952 season labeled simply as "1952", I will put these all at the end of this section, as I don't know their chronological order.	Newport Daily Express Stock car races to open June 10, 1952. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Stock car races to open June 10, 1952. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Stock car races to open June 10, 1952. Adv.	Newport Daily Express More about early races. June 16 Part 1	Newport Daily Express Greenwood is the winner. June 23, 1952. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Greenwood is the winner. June 23, 1952. Part 2
Newport Daily Express More about early races. June 16 Photo.	Newport Daily Express Allen Maskell wins. July 14, 1952. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Allen Maskell wins. July 14, 1952. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Changing of the race date. July 18 notice.	Newport Daily Express Charlie Nadeau wins. August 4, 1952. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Nadeau wins. August 4, 1952. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Nadeau wins. August 4, 1952. Part 3
Newport Daily Express Nadeau wins. August 4, 1952. Part 4	Courtesy of Gordy Owen Family Shot from above section showing the Chittenden County cars lining up for their own race.	Newport Daily Express Jackie Coolbeth Wins. Name misspelled. August 19, 1952. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Jackie Coolbeth Wins. Name misspelled. August 19, 1952. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Jackie Coolbeth Wins. Name misspelled. August 19, 1952. Part 3	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills Wins 4th. Pretty good looking cheerleader on hand :). Sept. 8, 1952. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills Wins 4th. Pretty good looking cheerleader on hand :). Sept. 8, 1952. Part 2
Newport Daily Express Big year-end championship race planned. Sept. 12, 1952.	Newport Daily Express Gleeson is winner. Oct. 4, 1952. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Gleeson is winner. Oct. 4, 1952. Part 2

SeveralIf there are any articles about the 1952 season that are labeled simply as "1952", I will put these all at the end of this section, as I don't know their chronological order.	Newport Daily Express Stock car races to open June 18, 1953. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Stock car races to open June 18, 1953. Part 2	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills winner. June 22, 1953. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills Winner. June 22 Part 1	Newport Daily Express Greenwood is the winner. June 29, 1953.	Newport Daily Express Mill is the winner again. July 2, 1953.
Newport Daily Express No races due to carnival. July 3, 1953.	Newport Daily Express Mill is the winner again. July 6, 1953. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Mill is the winner again. July 6, 1953. Part 1	Newport Daily Express Local driver arrested after races. July 8, 1953.	Montpelier Evening Argus Local driver arrested after races. July 8, 1953.	Newport Daily Express Freddie Mills again. Looks like another article already put up. July 27, 1953.	Newport Daily Express Larry Granger wins. Aug 10, 1953.
Newport Daily Express Norm Chaloux the next Barre driver to win. August 25, 1953.	Newport Daily Express Norm Chaloux wins again. August 31, 1953.	Newport Daily Express Norm Chaloux wins again. Photo. August 31, 1953. The Armand LaQuerre 88 in he background.	Caledonian Record Late August, 1953. Adv.	Caledonian Record Early Sept, 1953. Adv. Being called Border City Raceway here .	Caledonian Record Supposedly 1954, but there isn't as much proof they ran much that year.	Newport Daily Express Here is proof there probably was none. The facility was being used for football in 1954.