SECOND TIER RACE TRACKS IN NEW YORK
Some of the Lesser Tracks Which Don't Have As
Much Attention
New York state was loaded with small scale race tracks, from the beginning of stock car racing in the late 1940's until far more recent times. The venues such as Fonda Speedway, Lebanon Valley, Lancaster, Islip, and others emerged as leading tracks that had no trouble getting more than their fair share of attention and publicity; dozens and dozens of smaller operations struggled just to get by. I'd like to give some exposure to some of those smaller operations, while realizing I can't do them all.
ADIRONDACK SPEEDWAY West Glens Falls |
ARLINGTON SPEEDWAY Poughkeepsie |
BENNETT'S FIELD
SPEEDWAY Utica |
BROOKFIELD
SPEEDWAY Brookfield |
CARROLS GROVE SPEEDWAY Brunswick |
CLEARVIEW SPDWY aka SHIPPEY's Eagle Mills |
COLUMBIAN RACEWAY Mohawk |
THE GOSHEN MILE Goshen |
GREENPORT SPEEDWAY Hudson |
MONROE
COUNTY SPEEDWAY Henrietta |
RICHFIELD SPEEDWAY Richfield Springs |
SHARON RACEWAY Sharon Springs |
SMYRNA RACEWAY Smyrna |
WEST PERTH SPEEDWAY West Perth |
|
WEISSGLASS SPEEDWAY aka WEISSGLASS STADIUM Staten Island |
|
ADIRONDACK SPEEDWAY
West Glens Falls
I know little about this track and I have even less in terms of materials. I do know it sat out near Luzerne Road in West Glens Falls. Mr. Billington, whose son and grandson are running at Devil's Bowl these days, was one of the few men who has any direct memory or knowledge of the track that may have started the careers of some pretty prominent drivers. The great Wally LaBelle is said to have been there, for example - as well as Skip Wilcox and Earl Maille.
Historic Aerials.
com
The remains of the track were still very clear
when this aerial was taken in 1964.
8 MM Frame via Bud Brooks There are no photos of Wally Labelle himself that I have. This was a car he ran around 1950. |
Bob Mackey via John Rock Earl Maille, with one of his cars, the Henry Caputo 11 - which he probably didn't run at Adirondack. |
Courtesy of Ronnie Caisse Hunt Skip Wilcox, with an early '60's car possibly belonging to Ray Sutliffe. |
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Famed Glens fall car owner Allie Swears was very likely involved in Adirondack. |
Google Maps
This
2003 aerial shows the track is still somewhat evident from the air.
Courtesy of Don Stockman
Bill and Richard Threw, of West Glens Falls,
would have almost certainly started at Adirondack.
ARLINGTON SPEEDWAY
ARLINGTON RACEWAY
POUGHKEEPSIE AIRPORT SPEEDWAY
Poughkeepsie
Source Unknown
The outline of the track
is seen behind the radio station.
This track, seemingly, has had more names than seasons [just kidding]. Running from 1951 to 1962, it was a quarter mile dirt oval. One of its ads trumpeted that it was the track that separates the men from the boys. It was located on Van Wagner Road, where radio station WKIP was then located. More information is available at : http://www.oocities.org/ginnyflies/arlingtonspeedway.htm
Source Unknown Duke Dushensky. |
Henry
Ahlfs Photo via Roger Liller and Dave Dykes Hal McCarty. |
Rose Lovelace Collection via Juliet Lovelace. Theodore Lovelace. |
Bob McDowell Photo via Roger Liller Jokko Maggiacommo. |
Town of Poughkeepsie SIte Everybody's hurrying. |
Via Dave Dykes Rebel Harris, in Walt Schubert's B4 Valley car in the track's final year. |
Courtesy of Jeff Lambert Arlington Spdwy vestiges. |
Courtesy of Jeff Lambert Arlington Spdwy vestiges. |
Courtesy of Jeff Lambert Arlington Spdwy vestiges. |
Courtesy of Jeff Lambert Arlington Spdwy vestiges. |
BENNETT'S FIELD SPEEDWAY
Utica
Google Maps
It's hard to tell where
the track actually was here.
I know that Bennett's Field was a quarter mile dirt tracki that ran from about 1949 to 1950, just outside Utica, NY. I was, at first confused by the fact that my father, an Air Force man, had dine active duty at FLOYD Bennett Field - but that turns out to be in the New York City area. Besides local drivers, at least some drivers from what might be loosely called the "Fonda /Lebanon Valley region" did try out Bennett's Field, despite the considerable tow for that time and place. It also served as inspiration for future drivers such as Tom Williams, Sr, who attended as a young fan before driving successfully himself.
Source: Probably Bob Miller Newspaper ad from 1949 or 50. |
Courtesy of Danish Family Cambridge, NY's Fred Shepard poses with the Steve Danish 61 at Bennetts Field. The great Danish started driving himself soon. |
BROOKFIELD SPEEDWAY
Brookfield
From Photobucket
Track looks fresh here because it didn't die after
the brief 1950's run. It re - opened [I think] in the 1980's.
Again, somebody like Rick Parry would be the expert
here. I know that Brookfield Speedway was operating around 1951.
Unlike Fonda and some area tracks, it did not prosper then; but, the
Madison County Fairgrounds opened again to racing in the late 1980's [I think]
to some really good late mode racing that even occasionally attracted driver
from my native Devil's Bowl. Not sure if it operates today; I think so.
EARLIER ERA
Source: Bob Miller Newspaper ad from 1951. The track even used Fonda's track slogan. [Or who knows - maybe Fonda stole THEIR slogan] |
Source: Rick Parry Newspaper ad from 1949 or 50. |
Source Unknown Early '50's program cover. |
Source: Peter Lazzaro The classic shot seen i the Fonda book of the Maugeri bunch at Brookfield with Lou Lazzaro in white T short at right. |
Source: Bob Miller Newspaper photo from 1951. Utica driver Jerry Bohling and familiar flagger Joe Bourgeois. |
Source: Bob Miller Driver Fred Gerow with the Arcone Special out of Utica. Note Tom Wilson, Sr. in the background. |
Source: Bob Miller The somewhat bullish Bill Brusndschmidt had a less than stellar night at Brookfield here. |
Source: Bob Miller The omnipresent Ed Ryan [here a Brookfield flagger] was also apromoter at some early tracks. |
Source: Midstate Club Tom Wilson, Sr. in Vic Lne with the great mechanic Fred DeCarr. |
Source: Dave Conde Hugh Hedger, father to Ron and future owner of those great Dick Clark 16's. |
LATER ERA
[I've Chosen a Sampling of Many Available Photos Here]
Source: Midstate Club The highly - accomplished Dick Schoonover. |
Source: Mike Budka The innovative Ford man, Bill Roese, from Central Bridge. |
Ryan Glenki.com Future modified star Randy Glenski. |
Source: Rick Parry The great Jay Bleser having a less than stellar evening. |
Source: Brookfield Memories Facebk Page Late model action. |
Source: Mike Budka View of a late model start from the stands. |
Source: Arnie Ainsworth Tom Williams, a real late model luminary. |
Source: Brookfield Memories Facebk Page Late model action dusts down the crowd. |
Source: Brookfield Memories Facebk Page A recent photo of the facility. |
Source: Rick Parry Castleton VT's Bruce Milo brought a fairly different Camaro to Brookfield on"at least one occastion. |
Source: Brookfield Memories Facebk Page Wish this could be larger. A field that includes Williams and Bleser, among others. |
Source: Rick Parry An ad for payout during the height of the late models there. |
CARROLL'S GROVE
SPEEDWAY
Carroll's Grove
Historic Aerials.com
The track as it looked
in 1952.
This information is thanks to Bob Miller. Carroll's Grove was originally the site of a dance hall. Bernie Carroll, in 1950, built a race track on one section of the land of the popular meeting spot. The track, very simple, did not even have bleachers; spectators watched from their cars. Carroll also served as flager when he was not involved in military duties. The opening show was apprently well attended ,but MIller feels the local newspapers failed to cover taht, while going out of their way to publicized deaths and accidents at other venues.
Bernie Carroll chose not to defy the Sunday Blue Laws, when New York State wielde the to stop stock car and roadster racing. Thus, the venue did not operate in 1951. In 1952, after repairing damage from a severe storm, the track ran a little, only to close later due to what Carroll called "excessive heat and drought. conditions.". There was no more mention of racing there after that.
Thanks to Bob Miller
High times at
Carroll's Grove.
Thanks
to Bob Miller Come, One, Come All ! |
Historic Aerials. com The track was beginning to disappear by this aerial, 1990's or later. |
Thanks to Dan Ody A mixup involving J5 Henry Bouchard and the 2 of Bill McGrath [maybe]. |
Thanks to Sam Barlow The fourth turn, in action. |
Thanks to Sam Barlow Another fourth turn, in action photo - very blurry. |
Thanks
to Sam Barlow Turns 1 and 2, in action. |
Thanks
to Dan Ody and Bob Miller A car spinning on the backstretch. It shows the lack of grandstands. |
Thanks to Dan Ody and Bob Miller Bill Webb's 77. |
Thanks
to Dan Ody and Bob Miller Bill Webb and another car behind the snow fence. |
Thanks to Dan Ody and Bob Miller More cars behind the snow fence. |
Thanks to Edward B. Brown III This is said to be Carrolls Grove action. |
Thanks
to
Edward B. Brown III This is said to be Carrolls Grove action. |
Thanks
to
Edward B. Brown III This is said to be Carrolls Grove action. It does look like it - no bleachers |
Thanks
to
Edward B. Brown III This is said to be Carrolls Grove action. Oops ! |
Thanks
to
Edward B. Brown III This is said to be Carrolls Grove action. Photo caption suggests it is a feature lineup. |
Thanks
to Dan Ody Fuzzy Fosby at the Grove. |
Thanks
to
Edward B. Brown III This Carrolls Grove announcer's tower was blown down in a wind storm in 1952. |
Thanks
to
Edward B. Brown III This is said to be Carrolls Grove action. Sayles Casey 31 and Tony LaRocco. |
Thanks
to Dan Ody A look across the track. |
Thanks
to Dan Ody A bunch of cars in turn two. |
CLEARVIEW SPEEDWAY
[SHIPPEY'S SPEEDWAY]
Eagle Mills / South Westerlo
Historic Aerials,com
This is the track near Troy.
What I do know about this track is thanks only to Bob Miller. Apparently, two different venues used the name - one near Troy [the first one we're covering] and another track in South Westerlo. The former ran in the 1930's, and I am not spending time on it. The latter ran in the 1950's and its location must have been crucial to the racing Searings and others.
Historic Aerials.com
The South Westerlo Clearview.
Thanks
to Roger Ginder via
Joe Grossetti A field at Clearview. |
Thanks
to Joe Grossetti Roadsters at Clearview in 1949 or 1950. |
Thanks to Joe Grossetti More roadster action. The car 2nd from right looks like Howie Westervelt. |
Thanks to Joe Grossetti Stock cars on the track. |
Thanks
to NYMRN Attend, if you dare. |
Thanks to Joe Grossetti A good - sized stock car field. |
Thanks to MItchell Poole A Clearview program cover. |
Thanks to
MItchell Poole A Clearview program drivers' roster. Recognize Searing, Jeep, Taber, and Albright. |
Thanks to
MItchell Poole A Clearview program "extra"drivers' roster. Recognize Huck Spaulding and Howie. |
Thanks to
MItchell Poole A Clearview program officials and flag listing. |
COLUMBIAN RACEWAY
Mohawk
Historic Aerials.com
Only aerial of Columbian. Can't tell where
the track is.
Simply put, I do know anything about this track except in did run in 1958 and offered no bleacher section [not uncommon at early NY tracks].
Thanks to Bob Miller What's a drive - in race track ? Must be a nice way of saying we have no bleachers. |
Thanks
to Rick Parry An official's card. |
Thanks to Rick Parry A car lineup on the frontstretch. |
Thanks to Rick Parry A young family watchews what is probably very slowing lining up of stock cars on the track. |
Thanks
to Rick Parry A less than fortunate Columbian entry. |
Thanks to Rick Parry A 1958 Columbian entry. |
Thanks to Rick Parry Another view of where people had to sit, if not in the car. |
Thanks to Rick Parry A successful young Columbian driver and his hardware. |
Thanks to Rick Parry A 1958 Columbian field of cars. |
Thanks to Rick Parry Looking down to the track from the specator cars. |
THE GOSHEN MILE
Goshen
Historic Aerials.com
The triangular Goshen
Mile is shown here in 1957. A road later cut right through one portion of the
large track.
The Goshen Mile is one of the most interesting of the early NY tracks because of its triangular shape and its length. Nearby Syracuse with its NY State Fairgrounds track was of similiar length, but that one was a standard oval. I know, for sure that Goshen ran some open wheel racing; stocks cars are not a certainty.
Speedway
and Road Racing History.com I think this to be a 1950's ad. Not sure. |
Speedway and Road Racing History.com A lineup of sprinters or big cars at Goshen. |
Courtesy of Dan Ody A nice shot of the first turn and the stands. |
Cavalcade of Auto Racing Tony Bettenhausen winning a 1950's race at Goshen. One version says he won both [or all of] the race there. |
Bob Muir Collection via Chas Hertica Larry Shurter, at The Mile. |
GREENPORT SPEEDWAY
Hudson
Historic Aerials.com
Greenport Speedway, as
it sat - tucked in next to a stream.
Greenport Speedway only ran from 1950 to 1952. It had the look of so many early race tracks, with white wooden fences that looked good but were not very practical as restraints. It seems to have been namedd for the next town over. Its location was not far from another early track - Coxsackie Speedway and it was in the region of Lebanon Valley Speedway, the most successful of the track that grew up in that region. Greenport seemed to attract some of the familiar drivers such as Lou Hacker, who is seen flipping off a turn in some 8MM footage of the track and Doug Garrison. The great Al Poole, of Athens, would have likely raced there, too.
Courtesy of Dan Ody Coming off turn four. |
Courtesy of Dan Ody Cars in turns one and two. |
Courtesy of Keith Shoemaker Doug Garrison wins one in Walter Moon's 5. |
Courtesy
of DAmy Garrison Dauski Doug Garrison [117] looks to avoid disaster. |
8MM
Footage Courtesy of Dan Ody Cars getting up to speed on the front stretch. |
8MM
Footage Courtesy of Dan Ody More cars getting up to speed on the front stretch - same race. Lou Hacker is in the orange and black OO. |
8MM
Footage Courtesy of Dan Ody This frame captures Lou Hacker's orange and black car as it is starting to go off the turn. [Maybe brakes or a stuck throttle]. |
8MM
Footage Courtesy of Dan Ody This frame captures Lou Hacker's orange and black car actually on its roof. |
8MM
Footage Courtesy of Dan Ody This frame captures Lou Hacker's orange and black car righted, back on its wheels. He was from nearby Nassau. |
8MM
Footage Courtesy of Dan Ody Another view of the track. |
8MM
Footage Courtesy of Dan Ody This frame captures a feature field coming down to green. |
GERCA A nice color aerial. |
MONROE COUNTY SPEEDWAY
Henrietta
Thanks to Bob Miller
Monroe County is hardly an underdog. It had a NASCAR sanction and was the site for some early NASCAR Short Track Division races, featuring some of the bigger names that sanctioning body had in the early 1950's. Later, the track shared some of New York's biggest modfiied and sportsman teams with tracks like Fonda and places further west in New York.
Source Dan Ody Said to be an early Monroe Cty NASCAR race. Maybe the NASCAR Short Track Division. |
Source Dan Ody Said to be an early Monroe Cty NASCAR race. Maybe the NASCAR Short Track Division. |
Source Dan Ody Said to be an early Monroe Cty NASCAR race. Maybe the NASCAR Short Track Division. |
Source Dan Ody Said to be an early Monroe Cty NASCAR race. Maybe the NASCAR Short Track Division. |
Source: Rick Parry A Monroe Cty poster. Looks like for one of the NASCAR events. |
Source: HAMB Site A Monroe Cty 1959 photo with luminary sportsman entries Jeep Herbert, in JR Earl's 991; Bernie Miller, 41; and Armstrong in Frank Trinkhaus' 62. |
Source: Ed Flemke.com A Monroe Cty 1954 points standings. |
Source:
Ed Flemke.com A Monroe Cty 1954 "Out of Town" driver roster |
Source: Tim Swaim A young Tom Swaim standing next tot Wimpy Sipple's car. Sipple was a top driver there. |
Source:
Tim Swaim Points leader, Lee Bliss' car at headquarters. Bliss also starred at Oswego later. |
Source Unknown A Monroe Cty article. |
Source Unknown Another article. |
Bill Farress Photo [From Bill] Ken Meahl [Jerry Cook's 38] chases Fran Jeske. |
Bill Farress Photo [From Bill] The Monroe Cty Fairgrounds starter's stand. Not sure what is going on. |
Source:
Guy Wright The young kid poses with the legendary Dutch Hoag at Monroe County. Probably going to the state fair couldn't compare to this. |
Source:
Guy Wright The same kid poses by Dutch Hoag's familiar 96 wearing what looks like a soap box derby helmet. |
Source:
Guy Wright Another pose behind the car. The was a big night for somebody. |
Source:
Guy Wright Dutch Hoag's familiar 96 sits in a Monrpoe Cty lineup, likely on the same night as the kid photos. |
Source:
Unknown The Whitbeck - wrenched Smith Bros. 22, with Pete Corey as driver. Also seen is Bernie Miller's 41. |
Source:
Tim Swaim Hometown driver Elmer Musclow makes the cover of the program. |
Source:
Gene Swaim A car 53, likely before the Hollebrand 53 came out. |
Source:
Gene Swaim Dave McCredy's S33, during Don Hendenberg's tenure. |
RICHFIELD SPEEDWAY
Richfield Springs
Speedway and Road Racing History.com
An aerial view of the
venue, date unknown.
What I know little about this track is that it is in Richfield Springs and once had a brief connection with Fonda - as they were both NASCAR at the time. Within that short time, I am sure it enjoyed having Fonda's big names probably running there; after it was no longer NASCAR, most of them wouldn't have dared run an outlaw track.
One source [Speedway and Road Racing History.com] says it was built by Mohawk valley businessmen and opened in 1953 [same as Fonda]. It ran under the Thruway Enterprises umbrella [sometimes called Thruway Speedways] and had failed by 1955. It apparently ran on Sundays; it doesn't look like they had lights.
Source: Speedway & Road Racing History.com A typical '50's track poster. |
Source: Speedway & Road Racing History.com This track poster not only gives evidence to the Fonda connection, but it also suggests they tried running Thursdays, too. |
Source: Speedway & Road Racing History.com Construction on the track in 1953. |
Source: Speedway & Road Racing History.com Construction on the track in 1953. |
Source: Speedway & Road Racing History.com Construction on the track in 1953. |
Source: Speedway & Road Racing History.com Construction on the track in 1953. |
Source: Rick Parry A large, detailed Richfield poster. |
Source: Rick Parry Another Richfield poster. They tried all the cute cath phrases. |
Source: Rick Parry A newspaper photo of Corey in Vic Lane. |
Source: Rick Parry A photo of Danish in Vic Lane. |
Source: Rick Parry An official named Karl Georging. |
Source: Lew Boyd The Richfield Speedway stands. |
Source: Rick Parry A Richfield program cover. |
Source: Sam Barlow A Richfield Speedway field of cars. |
Source: Vogel Family A photo that it also thought to be at Stateline Speedway. Not Sure. I can ID Theron Moore's 112, the Kittler/Wolfe37, George Baumgardner in Vogel's 95, Danish, and the Clark Bros. 45. 107 might be a Gerow. |
Source: Google Earth A 1997 Richfield Speedway aerial. |
Source: Rick Parry A newspaper article of a Corey win. |
Source: Rick Parry A newspaper article of a Danish win. |
Source: Rick Parry A newspaper article on Bob Fiske winning one. |
Source: Rick Parry Another newspaper article of a Corey win. |
Source: Rick Parry A 3rd newspaper article of a Corey win. |
Source: Dan Ody The Richfield Speedway location. |
Source: Dan Ody The Richfield Speedway location. |
Source: Rick Parry A newspaper article preview. |
SHARON RACEWAY
Sharon
Springs
Courtesy of Midstate Club
This aerial newspaper
photo and caption pretty much say it all.
Courtesy of NYMRN
Come one, come all !
I have some pretty good materials on Sharon Raceway. The quarter mile dirt oval ran from 1952 through 1957. I can't find any trace of it on my aerials site. It was said to be on Stone House Road.
Source Unknown They grabbed the Frida slot. Apparently the track had lights. |
Courtesy of David Kilmartin This classic, much - discussed photo shows Bill Brundschmitt rolling over the rookie Lou Lazzaro. Obviously , Louie didn't discourage easily. |
Courtesy of Rick Parry A nice shot of Sharon action. DObn Wayman [50] and Joe Ondreak [63a] are mentioned. |
Courtesy of Rick Parry It doesn't say which year this was. |
Courtesy of Rick Parry A Sharon Raceway stock certificate. Many early stock car tracks did this. |
Courtesy of Rick Parry A Sharon Raceway ticket stub. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody Sharon Raceway action. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody Sharon Raceway action. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody Sharon Raceway action from the infield view. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody Sharon Raceway action from the infield view. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody Looks like a tow truck in the infield. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody Same race as the tow truck photo. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody Car 4 smoking it up on the pole. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody The Sharon Raceway flagger in action. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody The Sharon Raceway flagger in action, one second earlier than the photo at left. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Dan Ody Don Wayman in car 50. He would go on to be one of New York's best known drivers for hire. |
8MM Frame Courtesy of Noninvideao Possibly an early Trinkhaus car in action. |
Courtesy of Midstate Club Tom Wilson Dr. in Vic Lane. |
Courtesy of Midstate Club This indicates that Brookfield and Sharon once cooperated, at least for a while, in 1953. Note they didn't bother to get the Sharon RACEWAY part correct. |
Courtesy of Midstate Club A lineup on the track at Sharon. |
SMYRNA RACEWAY
Smyrna
From Dirt Track Digest Site
The remains of the Smyrna Raceway. Date
Uncertain.
Thus far, this track is one of the most difficult on which to dredge up information. Scant info says it was a quarter mile dirt oval that last ran in 1956. No luck finding out much else. Another source says it was a little longer [3/8 mi.] and began in 1948. The location is said to be on Hank Dexter's farm on State Rte. 80.
Source Unknown Likely Rick Parry or Ken Gypson The typical 50's poster. |
Source: NYMRN A newspaper ad. Source: Half Fast Video Action in the turn. |
Source: Sam Barlow Said to be a Smyrna mixup. Source: Half Fast Video Photo of Smyrna, apparently when under construction. |
Source: Half Fast Video Aerial view of Smyrna, apparently when still in operation. Source: Half Fast Video A view of Smyrna's bleachers. |
Source:
Half
Fast Video An apparent view of Smyrna's pit area. |
Source: Half Fast Video More of Smyrna's pit area. |
Source: Half Fast Video More of Smyrna's pit area. |
Source: Midstate Club Since he hailed from one of the towns Smyrna Raceway was located near, it would stand to reason that Dave McCredy's earlier S33 would have appeared there. This is Grayson Smith aboard. |
WEST PERTH SPEEDWAY
WILLETTE'S SPEEDWAY
FULTON_MONTGOMERY SPEEDWAY
West Perth
Courtesy of Dan Ody
The first track, on the
Willette farm - a few years after it had ceased operations. There are at least
three aerials that claim to be one of the track associated
with this racing group. This one is claimed to be the first one.
Thanks to the work of people like Jay Mooney, Bob Miller, and Dan Ody, this track has some pretty good information available here.My additional comments will be in this font. Mooney wrote, on another website: " Location: located behind Willitte’s Garage on the Johnstown-Perth road, three miles west of Perth, approximately two miles west of Perth Center. Years in Operation: Fall 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952 and 1953. Track Size: Half-mile flat track of oiled dirt. Up to 1,000 gallons of oil was applied to the track surface each week. A three foot crashwall on the front straightaway protected spectators. A 12-foot dirt bank was erected at each of the turns to help keep the cars on the track. In 1951, it was advertised as a "3/10 of a mile hard-surface consisting of asphalt dried out with sand
The track’s owner, Francis Willitte was arrested by State Police on 9/23/1951 when he switched to Sundays, violating New York State’s “blue laws”) Ran hot rod roadsters 1948. Before the season began in 1951, Hot Rods (Roadsters) were allowed to compete with stock cars. If enough hot rods showed up a separate program was held just for them. Track changed to all stock cars beginning 7/28/51 due to shortage of Hot Rods in the county and small crowds (only 7 hot rods showed for the race on 7/14/1951). In 1953 the track re-opened as Perth Speedway but closed before July due to a "family illness".
Drivers who raced there
include: Bob Whitbeck, Joe Putman, Herb Roth, Herb Roots, Otis Quakenbush,
Jim Mihal, Mark Tallon, Willy Parker, Bill Blair, Cy Parks, Grant Denton,
Jerry Emden, Will “King” Cole, Tex Henrigile, Red Hewit, Jerry Bradt, Stan
Bellinger, E. Lance, Bill Courtney, Ray Conover.
Jeep Herbert, Ken
Delong, Reg Lanphear, and Carl Taber were among those who raced stock cars
in with the roadster in later years.
Racing programs consisted of heat races which were 8 to 10 laps and a main
event which was 25 laps. The purse was determined by box office receipts,
with winners of various events sharing in 40 percent of the profits. Racing
was sanctioned by the Tri-County Racing Association for a season or two. The
track’s known promoters were: Jerry Emden and Eric Duemler (1949) and
Francis Willitte (1951).
Courtesy of Jay Mooney Roadsters including Bob Whitbeck's #7 [left] take to the track at West Perth. |
Leader Herald Photo via Dan Ody Roadsters battle it out at West Perth. |
Courtesy of Andy Fusco Roadsters parade by the starter in 1949. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family One of the roadsters left over from the 1940's is worked on at West Perth in 1953. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family The sedan of Ken "Pappy" Delong is worked on at West Perth in 1953. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family Stock cars line up at West Perth in 1953. 3 could be an early Bob Mott entry; Ken Delong is on the inside poole; and Jeep Herbert is in the center. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family Another of the roadsters left over from the 1940's is seen on the track at West Perth in 1953. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family An early car for Carl "Leadfoot" Taber is seen at West Perth in 1953. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family Jeep Herbert's earliest car [451] at West Perth in 1953. The 75 is said to be Reg Lanphear. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family A sedan off the track on at West Perth in 1953. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family A man who looks like Pete Corey wanders through the pits at West Perth in 1953. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family Another view of the pits at West Perth in 1953. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family One of the stock cars came to a bitter end here during a 1953 program. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family This car 8 is very similar to one that ran at Hudson River Speedway in Schuylerville. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family A crewman adds water to car 8. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family This car 10, seen in several photos, plies the West Perth corners. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family Reg Lanphear had a pretty slick - looking car for that time and place. |
Courtesy of The Starin Family Apparently West Perth had no bleachers. |
Historic Aerials.com
This is very likely the second track - The Fulton
and
Montgomery Speedway. Note how the turns are more
symmetrical than the aerial shown above.
WEISSGLASS SPEEDWAY
WEISSGLASS STADIUM
Port Richmond, Staten Island
Historic Aerials.com
A 1954 aerial of the
stadium. Apparently, the race track is not in place yet.
This stadium is supposedly an old Depression era project of the WPA. Besides the obvious uses like baseball, etc., there was - for a period of time - a fifth mile paved race track as well. My friend Curt Giventer remembers racing there. He says that - due to the limited space - the pits were mostly for support classes, while the lead division pitted on the grounds of the adjoining car dealership. The promoter was Gabe Rispoli and the track operated from 1953 through 1972. For more info, check out George LeBlanc's excellent site www.weissglassspeedway.com. Because of his extensive materials, I will not try to do too many entries here.
Pinterest [I can't make out the caption] The entrance to Wiessglass, with a sign referencing the dairy that supported it. |
Pinterest [I can't make out the caption] This sign also calls it Wiessglass Stadium. |
Photoslive.com This sign [with a slightly different beverage] calls the track Weissglass Speedway. |
Courtesy of Edward B. Brown III A Wiessglass special race poster. |
Curt Giventer Collection One of Curt Giventer's cars, with Curt at the wheel. |
Chas. Zulla Photo via Ken Edsell Buddy Laureno [16] looks to avoid a rolling car 180. This shot shows how the track was wedged into a heavy urban setting. |
Chas. Zulla Photo via Cliff Bessett All - time featuree wins record holder George Kaufman. |
Pat
Milano Collection The very popular Tony Milano. |
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