SENECA FALLS SPEEDWAY

Tracks From the Finger Lakes Area of New York

GoogleMaps
The Finger Lakes area encompassed Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Penn Yan, Ovid, Ithaca, Bath, Hornell, and other early track locations. Naples. NY
is just off the map to the southwest under Canadaigua Lake. Oleaan is just out of sight.This is clearly not my region of expertise, but teams from here did affect tracks
in my area. Besides, it was a significant hotbed of stock car racing. Some tracks have plenty of coverage on other sites, like the Midstate Antique
Club, so I may not deal with them here. I am trying to give some of my readers a chance to sample venues they would otherwise have not been exposed to.

Click on the speedway name to go to that section.

Seneca Falls Speedway	South Seneca Speedway	Naples Speedway	Maple Grove Speedway	Hornell Raceway
Olean Raceway		Other Speedways

SENECA FALLS SPEEDWAY : A ROADSTER TRACK
Seneca Falls, NY

Courtesy of David Delange
A car serves as probably one of the few publicity mechanisms available to the track.

Courtesy of David Delange Somebody's 1940 Ford bears one of those 1950's wire - on bumper signs for the track.	Courtesy of David Delange Preparing the winning car for the big race. This may be A young Ken Meahl, from Lockport, NY.
Courtesy of David Delange Lining the field up on the front stretch.	Courtesy of David Delange This photo, taken over the starter's flag stand, shows the field getting the green.
Courtesy of David Delange A curious crowd mills around the winning roadster entry. One other shot showed a young man staring at the dust - covered winner like he had seen some sort of alien.	Courtesy of David Delange The curious spectator doesn't seem to dare get near the daring young winner, who has the word "Lockport" on his back. It is likely a young Ken Meahl.

Courtesy of Half Fast Video
This is likely the site of the old Seneca Falls Speedway, as seen in the 1990's.

|
Courtesy of Jay Mooney
Roaring roadsters !

Courtesy of Dan Ody
Dust proof ? My Foot !

SOUTH SENECA SPEEDWAY
Ovid, NY

South Seneca Historical Society

Left - Howard Boyce Collection Right - Bob Miller Photo
These two photos show how the South Seneca Speedway was built on the Boyce family farm.

Courtesy of Howard Boyce Collection
The Turn One crowd waits patiently for more racing.

H. Boyce Collection
Action in Turn 4
Courtesy of Timeline Photos
The track crew struggles to control the dust. In the Sunday afternoon, sun, they
never did.
H. Boyce Collection
Looking across infield to
the bleachers.
H. Boyce Collection
Famous modified driver
Ron Narducci [5N on the track] got his start here.
H. Boyce Collection
Turn 4 view towards
the farm.
H. Boyce Collection
An unknown winner.
at right is Howard Boyce;
at left is Doc Snediker,
well - known in area
racing circles.

B. Schroth Collection
Billy Schroth [lft] and
team mate Hudson
Smith.
B. Schroth Collection
Billy Schroth lined up
on the frontstretch. That's
his little sister in the
foreground.

B. Schroth Collection
Cars lining up.
B. Schroth Collection
Cars ready for feature.
B. Schroth Collection
More cars ready for feature.
B. Schroth Collection
Field forms up in turn 2
for feature start.

Timeline Photos
This driver is named
Williamson. Could be
Speedy Williamson.
H. Boyce Collection
The feature rolls off.
5N Narducci is in the
back of the pack.
B. Schroth Collection
Don Beech with the
129.
Timeline Photos
Bucky Dew won this -
his only heat win. Then he
was told he was a professional and could not race there any more.

B. Schroth Collection
Future USAC sprinter
star Billy Schroth on the
track in car 34.
Timeline Photos
Teddy Quillen

Timeline Photos
Cecil Keister,
Horseheads, NY
Timeline Photos
Cecil Keister,
Horseheads, NY
B. Schroth Collection
Billy Schroth would go on to be USAC's sprint car champ
in the next decade.

B. Schroth Collection
Billy Schroth's first
South Seneca win.
Timeline Photos
Gene Baldwin, whose son
was a star at the track,
in the pits. In the background
is the Graber -owned 129
of Don Beecher.
Timeline Photos
Glen Reiners,
So. Seneca victory.

H. Boyce Collection
Gordy Boyce, "Officials'
race" winner.
H. Boyce Collection
Gordy Boyce's car at
the farm, as yet
unlettered,
Timeline Photos
Glen Reiners, with
Howard Boyce's
homemade checkered
flag.

H. Boyce Collection
Gordy Boyce's car at
the farm, with tow bar
attached. Hell, they could
have driven to the track.
H. Boyce Collection
Gordy Boyce, Charles
Boyce, Jerry Brewer, and
Howard Boyce - lined up
with their cars.

H. Boyce Collection
One of Howard Boyce's
cars at the farm.

H. Boyce Collection
Howard Boyce's car at
the track, with other
entries.
H. Boyce Collection
Howard poses with
his's car at the track.
H. Boyce Collection
Howard Boyce's car lining
up for the "officials' race".
Timeline Photos
Hudson Smith, here as
track flagger, sometimes
drove as well.

Timeline Photos
Hungry Hank Clark
with the former Dutch
Hoag Penn Yan Express
Timeline Photos
More Hank Clark

Timeline Photos
Jim Joslyn's car
at home - still fine.
Timeline Photos
Jim Joslyn, at speed
on South Seneca.
The 13 is John Wilson.
Timeline Photos
Jim Joslyn, in mid
rollover. Apparently
not his 52.

Timeline Photos
Jim Joslyn, near the
end of the rollovers.
Timeline Photos
Jim Joslyn, at rest
after the rollovers.
Timeline Photos
Jim Joslyn, out and
looking at the damage.

Timeline Photos
Lester Buck with
Tony Viti's 99.

Timeline Photos
Lucky Cornish,
Ithaca, NY

Timeline Photos
Lucky wins one.
Timeline Photos
Popeye Vincent takes one
in a pretty advanced - looking
car.
Timeline Photos
Rolf Holtcamp
Car looks like a
5 Mile Point car.
Timeline Photos
Rollie Velte

H. Boyce Collection
South Seneca turn 1.

B. Schroth Collection
Billy Schroth's 1953
membership card.
H. Boyce Collection
South Seneca pit area,
just off the nearby
local road.
Bob Miller Photo
South Seneca vestiges:
a surviving fence post.
Bob Miller Photo
South Seneca vestiges:
bleacher foundations.

Bob Miller Photo
South Seneca vestiges: Embankment protecting spectator area.

Hiastoric Aerials Photo
South Seneca vestiges: 1969 aerial view.

NAPLES SPEEDWAY
Naples NY

Courtesy of Bob Miller

Courtesy of Dean Wright
Naples Speedway is synonymous with this fiery crash because photos of that crash are ab out all we have.

Bob Miller Collection
This race begins harmlessly.
They sure like sedans at
that track.
Bob Miller Collection
Car 12A is still
somewhat untouched-
but not for long.
Bob Miller Collection
The wreck has already
happened, seconds ago.
Car 12A is engulfed.
Bob Miller Collection
Down the line, there
are numerous other
fires. Oh, if only"for
fuel cells. The men at
right are either tending
to a driver or trying to keep
the fire off the infield.

Bob Miller Collection
There are two unburned
cars in evidence - No 2 and the crunched one by the
rail. Great protective
barriers !
Bob Miller Collection
This shaken driver needs
a smoke as his car burns
up with the others.

Bob Miller Collection
It appears they have either extinguished the fire or let it burn out here.

Bob Miller Collection
A man gingerly tries to
hitch one of the cars
to a winch cable.
Bob Miller Collection
Crowds on both sides watch
as an ancient wrecker hooks
onto one of the wrecks.
Bob Miller Collection
The Bill Rodges 192
is prepped for
removal.
Starin Family Collection
A pass to Naples.
I'm Guessing BobMiller
Apologies if it Isn't
A turn in the woods.

Lew Boyd Collection
The late Jim Rigney,
posing with Dad's car,
at Naples.
I'm Guessing BobMiller
Apologies if it Isn't
Poles from their wondeful
protective "barriers".

I'm Guessing BobMiller
Apologies if it Isn't
More poles from their wonderful
protective "barriers".
Peter Hurtubise Collection
Action shot

Source Unknown
The article on that fire. Area flagger, Whitey Gorusch is mentioned. Maybe that inspired him to get out of those cars.

Historic Aerials.Com Photo
An aerial shot of the location from 1970.

Half Fast Video

MAPLE GROVE SPEEDWAY
Waterloo, NY

Courtesy of Midstate Club

Courtesy of Midstate Club
Bob Cain and "Flying Bathtub" typify what made Maple Grove tick in the 1960's.

Courtesy of Midstate Club Chuck Stillwell	Courtesy of Midstate Club Arnie Spore	Courtesy of Midstate Club Bill Roese, Central Bridge, NY	Courtesy of Midstate Club Bob Chick enters the grounds.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Bob Chick	Courtesy of Midstate Club Dick Benedict
Courtesy of Midstate Club Dick Emerson enters the grounds with one of his beautiful cars.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Dick Emerson	Courtesy of Mark Hobbs Dutch Hoag	Courtesy of Midstate Club Johnny "Fireball" Roberts enters the grounds	Courtesy of Midstate Club Larry Nye with a sedan.	Gater Photot Courtesy of Midstate Club Larry Nye leaves the grounds.
Courtesy of Midstate Club The great Cliff Kotary, Rome, NY Got enough motor there, Cliff ?	Courtesy of Midstate Club Cliff in Victory Lane with the winning driver. Anyone know who ?	Courtesy of Midstate Club Gail McArdell, supposedly winning 1st Maple Grove feature.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Gail McArdell enters the grounds with the Palmiteer 100.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Gail McArdell with the Palmiteer 100.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Gail McArdell wins in as car 00.
Courtesy of Midstate Club Gary Trauman's car 88.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Gordy Wood	Courtesy of Midstate Club Jerry Townley with the Pop Wilcox 32.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Jim Sperry enters the grounds.	Courtesy of Midstate Club John McArdell enters the grounds with the Tantalo "Leanin' 11".	Courtesy of Midstate Club John McArdell [11]and Lloyd Holt in 1978.
Courtesy of Midstate Club JohnMcArdell wins one.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Larry Nye	Courtesy of Midstate Club Screamin' Sammy Reakes	Courtesy of Midstate Club Sammy Reakes enters the grounds with the familiar 111.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Sammy Reakes with the 451, a legendary number in those parts.	Courtesy of Midstate Club Wally Cox
Courtesy of Midstate Club Willy Beardsley	Courtesy of Midstate Club Maybe Cliff Kotary's car owner or mechanic.	Courtesy of Midstate Club 1966 Waterloo points.	Courtesy of Midstate Club The grader crew.	Courtesy of Timeline Photos Art Lynch, Ray Pariah, and Gerald Brewer with a Waterloo entry.	Courtesy of Timeline Photos Gordy Boyce wins one.
Courtesy of Number Nine Video Car 3R, having just wrecked.	Courtesy of Number Nine Video Car 2 at speed.	Courtesy of Number Nine Video Car 4 towing in.	Courtesy of Number Nine Video Lining one up.	Courtesy of Number Nine Video Car 16 under yellow.	Courtesy of Number Nine Video Rollie Velte wins one.
Courtesy of Number Nine Video Wee Willie Allen.	Courtesy of Timeline Photos Red Beardsley	Courtesy of Timeline Photos Rollie Velte	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Bob Cain and Johnny Roberts [513] have at it.	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Jeff King [16], Sam Crista, and Les Buck [99].

Half Fast Video
Waterloo vestiges

Hornell Raceway
Hornell, NY

HornellHome.Com
This shot of Eddy Anchor is the most seen photo connected with Hornell Raceway.

Courtesy of Gorusch Collection Whitey Gorusch was OK at Hornell but got hit at Olean.	Courtesy of Gorsuch Collection Floyd Green and Whitey Gorusch at Hornell.	Courtesy of Dee Wallace Bill Layfield and Whitey Gorusch at Hornell.	Courtesy of Dan Hall Don Wood at Hornell.	Courtesy of Dee Wallace Basil Schutt and Whitey Gorusch at Hornell.	Courtesy of Dee Wallace Basil Schutt at Hornell.
Courtesy of Dan Hall Red Towner at Hornell.	\| Courtesy of Star Gazette Bud Perkins wins.	Courtesy of Star Gazette Unknown winner in good - looking car.	Courtesy of Star Gazette Unknown winner in a car similar to a New England cutdown.	Courtesy of Star Gazette Trophy presentation.	Courtesy of Star Gazette Famed Jackie Soper doubtless, ran Hornell at least some.

Half Fast Video
Vestiges of Hornell Raceway

Courtesy of Black Jack Racing
Whitey flags off a support class race.

Olean Raceway
Olean, NY

Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com
If only it was still $2 to get into the pits !

Courtesy of Vincent Marra Sr. Early Olean lienup.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Big ad for Olean.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Al Skiver and Al, Jr.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Bill Brock and flagger Whitey Gorusch.	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Billy Schroth in a wreck [before he moved to USAC].	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing More Schroth wreck.
Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Bob Bigley with an older support class car.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Bruce Scalfaro with Whitey.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Bud Johnson with a win in a later car.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Bud Johnson with a win in an earlier car.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Bud Phearsdorf's Olean - style modified. Looks like a New England cutdown.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Chet Smith and Whitey.
Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com More Chet Smith.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Not such good luck for Chet here.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Dan Adams with a win.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Dick Ferraro.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Dick Lute in Victory Lane.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Dick Thomas in an older modified photo.
Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Dutch Strang in Victory Lane.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Ed Stayer in Victory Lane.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Frank McClure.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com A Frank Wilmot collage.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Harold Dake celebrates a win.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Harry Gayton in Victory Lane.
Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Irv Hall.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Jim Given and crewman.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Jim Hakes.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Jim Hakes with a later car.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Local boy Joe Tomes of Olean.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Joe Tomes and Whitey Gorusch.
Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com A track official keeps his eye on turn 1 action.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com A Phil Mott collage.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Rob Given.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Rob Given, id'd here as the 1969 Olean Hooligan Champion.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Ron Brosius and brother.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Tink Mealy
Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Tiny Tim successfully tiptoed thru the tulips.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Tom Irvin.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Wally Dietz.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com An early flip.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Frontstretch Hooligans tangle.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Turn four action.
Courtesy of Bill Schroth Collection Fran Pezzimiti chases Billy Schroth.	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Fred Brink.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Another early pit pass.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Welcome race fans.	Courtesy of Bill Schroth Collection Gordy Blanchard [3B] leads Gill Fladd as Doc Hoctor [118] falters.	Courtesy of Olean Computers.Com Ray Jordan's late models.

Courtesy of Olean
Computers.Com
Postcard touting big race in 1959.

Found on Dirt Track Digest - Probably by Bob Miller
Vestiges of the Olean Raceway. Recent aerials find it nearly impossible to see.

Other Early Speedways in the Area

Courtesy of Jay Mooney 1965 Ad.	Jimmie's Old Time Racing Ithaca - Dryden vestiges	Courtesy of Half Fast Videos Ithaca Speedway 1954 Never actually ran	Courtesy of Half Fast Videos Ithaca Speedway 1935 Not sure what that is.	Historic Aerials.Com This track was on the Bath Rd. outside of Penn Yan.	Courtesy of Half Fast Videos This is said to be vestiges of a track in West Seneca.
Courtesy of Half Fast Videos This is supposedly Frank Wagner winning at a Speedway in West Seneca.	Historic Aerials.Com West Seneca Speedway 1958. Still running then ?	Star Gazette Drivers from Airport Speedway, Big Flats, NY.	Star Gazette Poster from Airport Speedway, Big Flats, NY.	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Airport Speedway, Big Flats, NY	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Airport Speedway, vestiges.
Historic Aerials.Com Southport or Gklider City Speedway, Southport, NY	Star Gazette G. Buchanon, at Southport	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Bath Speedway, Bath, NY	Courtesy of Raceny.com Airport Speedway, Big Flats, NY	Courtesy of Black Jack Racing Supposedly Ithaca - Dryden

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H. Boyce Collection Action in Turn 4	Courtesy of Timeline Photos The track crew struggles to control the dust. In the Sunday afternoon, sun, they never did.	H. Boyce Collection Looking across infield to the bleachers.	H. Boyce Collection Famous modified driver Ron Narducci [5N on the track] got his start here.	H. Boyce Collection Turn 4 view towards the farm.	H. Boyce Collection An unknown winner. at right is Howard Boyce; at left is Doc Snediker, well - known in area racing circles.
B. Schroth Collection Billy Schroth [lft] and team mate Hudson Smith.	B. Schroth Collection Billy Schroth lined up on the frontstretch. That's his little sister in the foreground.	B. Schroth Collection Cars lining up.	B. Schroth Collection Cars ready for feature.	B. Schroth Collection More cars ready for feature.	B. Schroth Collection Field forms up in turn 2 for feature start.
Timeline Photos This driver is named Williamson. Could be Speedy Williamson.	H. Boyce Collection The feature rolls off. 5N Narducci is in the back of the pack.	B. Schroth Collection Don Beech with the 129.	Timeline Photos Bucky Dew won this - his only heat win. Then he was told he was a professional and could not race there any more.	B. Schroth Collection Future USAC sprinter star Billy Schroth on the track in car 34.	Timeline Photos Teddy Quillen
Timeline Photos Cecil Keister, Horseheads, NY	Timeline Photos Cecil Keister, Horseheads, NY	B. Schroth Collection Billy Schroth would go on to be USAC's sprint car champ in the next decade.	B. Schroth Collection Billy Schroth's first South Seneca win.	Timeline Photos Gene Baldwin, whose son was a star at the track, in the pits. In the background is the Graber -owned 129 of Don Beecher.	Timeline Photos Glen Reiners, So. Seneca victory.
H. Boyce Collection Gordy Boyce, "Officials' race" winner.	H. Boyce Collection Gordy Boyce's car at the farm, as yet unlettered,	Timeline Photos Glen Reiners, with Howard Boyce's homemade checkered flag.	H. Boyce Collection Gordy Boyce's car at the farm, with tow bar attached. Hell, they could have driven to the track.	H. Boyce Collection Gordy Boyce, Charles Boyce, Jerry Brewer, and Howard Boyce - lined up with their cars.	H. Boyce Collection One of Howard Boyce's cars at the farm.
H. Boyce Collection Howard Boyce's car at the track, with other entries.	H. Boyce Collection Howard poses with his's car at the track.	H. Boyce Collection Howard Boyce's car lining up for the "officials' race".	Timeline Photos Hudson Smith, here as track flagger, sometimes drove as well.	Timeline Photos Hungry Hank Clark with the former Dutch Hoag Penn Yan Express	Timeline Photos More Hank Clark
Timeline Photos Jim Joslyn's car at home - still fine.	Timeline Photos Jim Joslyn, at speed on South Seneca. The 13 is John Wilson.	Timeline Photos Jim Joslyn, in mid rollover. Apparently not his 52.	Timeline Photos Jim Joslyn, near the end of the rollovers.	Timeline Photos Jim Joslyn, at rest after the rollovers.	Timeline Photos Jim Joslyn, out and looking at the damage.
Timeline Photos Lester Buck with Tony Viti's 99.	Timeline Photos Lucky Cornish, Ithaca, NY	Timeline Photos Lucky wins one.	Timeline Photos Popeye Vincent takes one in a pretty advanced - looking car.	Timeline Photos Rolf Holtcamp Car looks like a 5 Mile Point car.	Timeline Photos Rollie Velte
H. Boyce Collection South Seneca turn 1.	B. Schroth Collection Billy Schroth's 1953 membership card.	H. Boyce Collection South Seneca pit area, just off the nearby local road.	Bob Miller Photo South Seneca vestiges: a surviving fence post.	Bob Miller Photo South Seneca vestiges: bleacher foundations.

Bob Miller Collection This race begins harmlessly. They sure like sedans at that track.	Bob Miller Collection Car 12A is still somewhat untouched- but not for long.	Bob Miller Collection The wreck has already happened, seconds ago. Car 12A is engulfed.	Bob Miller Collection Down the line, there are numerous other fires. Oh, if only"for fuel cells. The men at right are either tending to a driver or trying to keep the fire off the infield.	Bob Miller Collection There are two unburned cars in evidence - No 2 and the crunched one by the rail. Great protective barriers !	Bob Miller Collection This shaken driver needs a smoke as his car burns up with the others.
Bob Miller Collection It appears they have either extinguished the fire or let it burn out here.	Bob Miller Collection A man gingerly tries to hitch one of the cars to a winch cable.	Bob Miller Collection Crowds on both sides watch as an ancient wrecker hooks onto one of the wrecks.	Bob Miller Collection The Bill Rodges 192 is prepped for removal.	Starin Family Collection A pass to Naples.	I'm Guessing BobMiller Apologies if it Isn't A turn in the woods.
Lew Boyd Collection The late Jim Rigney, posing with Dad's car, at Naples.		I'm Guessing BobMiller Apologies if it Isn't Poles from their wondeful protective "barriers".	I'm Guessing BobMiller Apologies if it Isn't More poles from their wonderful protective "barriers".		Peter Hurtubise Collection Action shot