While most people refer to the t

While most people refer to the track that was at the old fairgrounds above Northfield, VT as Dog River Speedway [it's first name and the
body of water that runs nearby], the venue was also - at various times - called simpy the Northfied Fairgrounds Track, Northfield Speedway, and
Central Vermont Raceway. The paper - clip - shaped horse track was most certainly not ideal for stock car racing, or for the brief time of open wheel racing that came before, it can most likely lay claim to staging the first actual stock car races in the state of Vermont.

The history of the venue includes the aformentioned original use as a fairground, but it also served as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Great Depression. Not wanting to get into mounds of detail, a group that included construction contractor Roloef "Ruie" Dubois obtained the property late in the 1940's with the intention of staging races there. Over the years, the track would go through phases. The very early years, including 1949, were dirt track times, first having open wheel race car - mostly from New York [with stock cars as an afterthought]. Later, the increasingly - popular stock cars would take over.
The track would remain dirt until sometime around the early '60's, not running continuously in between. Eventually, it would be paved and apparently ended up that way when the last promotion gave up around 1963. It had a brief time with what was called the Central Vermont Stock Car Association when it was informally partnered with the short - lived Central Vermont Speedway in East Montpelier. High points in the track's history include its big 1951 championship race and the distinction it enjoyed in the earlier years as one of the state's premier tracks. Low points included highly - publicized spectator injuries, lawsuits with local contractors, and frequent fires on the property.

The venue deserves more attention in the history of racing in the state that it generally receives.

DOG RIVER SPEEDWAY YEARS

From the Dubois Construction Site
The Dubois brothers - Bob, Bill, and Ruie [on the dozer]. They likely used this machine to work on the race track.

From Word Press.com The CCC camp on the site in the 1930's.	Source Unknown The old Northfield fairgrounds.	From Pennock Family Coll. via Dick Pennock Ray Therrien, shown here with the Elwin Pennock car at Granville, NY is mentioned as one of the pioneering stock car drivers at Northfield.	Peterson Collection South Burlington native Jack "Jackie" Peterson ran this car on Northfield in 1949. He would late win the big 1951 State Championship race there in '51 with a stock car.	Peterson Collection New York's Phil "Squeak" Soper ran against "Jackie" Peterson and others at Northfield in 1949.
Bob Mackey Photo via John Rock Art Prairie of Plattsburgh, NY raced "Jackie" Peterson on a number of tracks including Northfield.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert This happy bunch and their Dog River jalopy covers several names in very early Vermont stock car racing: Bucky Wlabridge, Henry LaPerle, Larry Granger, and Al Whitcomb. Whitcomb built motors; Granger was an early '60's track champion there.	Packard Family Collection Ellery "Skip" Packard was an early Northfield runner and patriarch of a racing family that includes Dale and 21st century female driving sensation Emily Packard.	From Bigelow Family Coll. via Bob Bigelow Lyndonville's Jerry Bigelow made a few trips to Northfield inthe early days. Another racing family partriarch.	Courtesy of Sandra Goodwin Fontana "Peanie" Goodwin and brother "Pop" would run some early races at Dog River. Their father ran a jalopy track in West Lebanon, NH at the time.
Courtesy of Steve Restelli This coupe #7 is visible in one of the aerial photos of Dog RIver. It might be the Burlington area car of Buddy Barnes.	Courtesy of VT Hist. Soc. This coupe #7 is visible here in this photo of Dog RIver around 1950.	From the Barre Daily Times This 1950 ad shows Jackie Peterson with one of his important wins at Northfield.	Courtesy of Steve Restelli This shot is most likely 1950. It includes the Beansie Dumas - owned 99, that was probably driven then by Norm Chaloux. He would be injured in that car at the track.	Courtesy of Steve Restelli This sedan is well - sponsored and still in one piece. The hood is tipped up like that because of the necessary radiator size.
Courtesy of Steve Restelli I don't know anything about this coupe #38A except this is 1950.	Courtesy of Steve Restelli I don't know anything about this sedan 76 except it has seen a fair bit of action.	Courtesy of Steve Restelli I don't know if Jackie was the girlfriend, the car, or maybe the driver.	Courtesy of Steve Restelli A 1950 pit shot in which you can make out Bob Doyle's ever - present Bardahl truck.	Courtesy of Steve Restelli A very grainy 1950 shot shows the judges' stand.
Barre Daily Times June 24,1949. This article almost certainly announces the race program in which the first stock car race was held in Vermont.	Barre Daily Times June 29,1949. This article [Part 1] almost certainly covers the race program in which the first stock car race was held in Vermont.	Barre Daily Times June 29,1949. This article [Part 2] almost certainly covers the race program in which the first stock car race was held in Vermont.	Burlington Free Press June 30,1949. This article covers that race program in which the first stock car race was held in Vermont.	Northfield News and Advertiser July,1949. The local paper comments on the race program in which the first stock car race was held in Vermont. Part 1
Northfield News and Advertiser July,1949. The local papercomments on the race program in which the first stock car race was held in Vermont. Part 1	Barre Daily Times September 24 1949. Next article on the track. Part 1	Barre Daily Times September 24 1949. Next article on the track. Part 1	Barre Daily Times This late September 1949 article is publicizing very early events in which stock cars raced in Vermont.	Barre Daily Times September, 1949. The track is now organized enough to put out ads.
Rutland Daily Herald September 28, 1949. Another paper announces "a new type of racing".	Burlington Free Press Oct. 6, 1949. It looks like Everett Ladd won the stock car portion.	Barre Daily Times October 1, 1949. The track puts out different ads to different papers.	Burlington Free Press October 1, 1949. The track puts out different ads to different papers.	Montpelier Evening Argus October 3, 1949. The track is starting to get some serious crowds. Part 1
Montpelier Evening Argus October 3, 1949. The track is starting to get some serious crowds. Part 2	Barre Daily Times October 3, 1949. The track is starting to get some serious crowds. But they don't look very well protected, do they ?	Barre Daily Times Oct.3,1949. More coverage of the 3,000 spectator event.	Northfield News and Advertiser Oct.6,1949. The local paper starts to pay more attention to that noisy annoyance up on the hill. Part 1	Northfield News and Advertiser Oct.6,1949. The local paper starts to pay more attention to that noisy annoyance up on the hill. Part 2
Barre Daily Times Sept,1949. Races slated. Big news from theTimes, but they have been running stockers for months already. Part 1	Barre Daily Times Sept,1949. Races slated. Big news from theTimes, but they have been running stockers for months already. Part 2	Barre Daily Times Sept,1949. Races slated. Big news from theTimes, but they have been running stockers for months already. Part 3	Barre Daily Times Oct.,1949. Another adv.	Barre Daily Times Oct.11,1949. Races slated. Track officers mentioned.
Northeastern Site Photo Courtesy of Scott Haskell A lineup by the tower.	Dubois Collection Courtesy of Jason Lahue A rather poor shot of the track in the 1950's.	Courtesy of Neal Davis Randolph's Frank Bradley, Said to be a Dog River car.	Courtesy of Neal Davis Randolph's Frank Bradley, Said to be a Dog River car. A young crewman is on board.	Northeastern Site Photo Courtesy of Scott Haskell A lineup by the tower.
		Northeastern Site Photo Courtesy of Scott Haskell The Northwest end of the pit area in the infield.	Northeastern Site Photo Courtesy of Scott Haskell Packing 'em into the infield.

Burlington Free Press
June 1950 - of and running again, still as Dog River Speedway.

Burlington Free Press May 24, 1950. New officers elected.	Barre Daily Times May 29, 1950. Race programs still include open wheel cars - mostly from NY. Part 1	Barre Daily Times May 29, 1950. Race programs still include open wheel cars - mostly from NY. Part 2	Burlington Free Press May 27, 1950 Free Press covering same story. Part 1	Burlington Free Press May 27, 1950 Free Press covering same story. Part 2
Burlington Free Press June 11, 1950 Opening stock car program. Part 1	Burlington Free Press June 11, 1950 Opening stock car program. Part 2 Useful listing of drivers and cars.	Barre Daily Times June 11, 1950 Opening stock car program. Same topic; different paper. Part 1	Barre Daily Times June 11, 1950 Opening stock car program. Same topic; different paper. Part 2	Barre Daily Times June 11, 1950 Opening stock car program. Same topic; different paper. Part 3
Barre Daily Times June, 1950 Adv.	Barre Daily Times June 22, 1950 Races set to go.	Burlington Free Press July 22, 1950 Races set to go. Good driver list.	Coverage of the track goes dark in all the papers until September. Burlington Free Press Sept. 7, 1950 Races set to go. [Again ?]	Barre Daily Times Sept. 28, 1950 adv. The track got a lot of mileage out of the racing grandmothers. Ma Begins was well known in Chittenden County.
Burlington Free Press Oct, 1950 This state championship race was a big deal back then. Jackie Peterson still spoke of it in the 2000's. Northfield had to run it against States Attorney DeShaw and his Blue laws ban.	Barre Daily Times Oct 20, 1950 The big championship race. Part 1	Barre Daily Times Oct 20, 1950 The big championship race. Part 2	From the Barre Daily Times This 1950 ad shows Jackie Peterson with one of his important wins at Northfield. Coverage of the win is otherwise very sparse.	Peterson Collection This 1950 photo Jackie Peterson with Eddie Reynolds [right] whose car he drove to the champinship.

CENTRAL VERMONT RACEWAY YEARS

From the Barre Daily Times
This 1952 ad shows drivers coming from the Burlington area, the Barre - Montpelier area, New Hampshire, and more.
The track is now operated by the Central Vermont Stock Car Association.

Note: There are so many photos from this period, I cannot possibly do them all in perfect
chronological order.

Montpelier Evening Argus 1951. Very thorough - two ads in one page.	Barre Daily Times Early 1951 aarticle heralds the new operating group.	Burlington Free Press This ad gives a good list of drivers for 1951. By Now, there were more tracks opening all over Vermont.	Barre Daily Times The battling grandma saga continues. Part 1	Barre Daily Times The battling grandma saga continues. Part 2
Barre Daily Times Jack Kennedy wins September race. [Right about the time he was also running for the Massachusetts Senate seat :) ] Part 1	Barre Daily Times Jack Kennedy wins September race. [Right about the time he was also running for the Massachusetts Senate seat :) ] Part 2	Burlington Free Press The usual crank asses in town kept up the fight against the track all summer. God bless 'em.	Montpelier Evening Argus Carl Trayah, a friend of Jackie Peterson, succeed Peterson as state champ in 1951. Part 1	Montpelier Evening Argus Carl Trayah, a friend of Jackie Peterson, succeed Peterson as state champ in 1951. Part 2
Montpelier Evening Argus Carl Trayah, a friend of Jackie Peterson, succeed Peterson as state champ in 1951. Part 3 The Daily Times reports were very similar.	Burlington Free Press The Powder Puffers were making a big hit. Part 1	Burlington Free Press The Powder Puffers were making a big hit. Part 2	Montpelier Evening Argus Still racin' in October. Part 1	Montpelier Evening Argus Still racin' in October. Part 2
White River Junction Landmark This 1951 ad shows the growing concern after a number of spectator accidents around the state.	Montpelier Evening Argus 1952 win for Norm Chaloux.	Burlington Free Press 1952 ad.	Montpelier Evening Argus 1952 ad in local paper.	Burlington Free Press 1952. Gordy Owen having a good month here.
Rutland Daily Herald July 1952 driver injury.	Barre Daily Times 1952 win for Herb Trayah, the less famous of the brothers.	Barre Daily Times 1952 win for Herb Trayah, the less famous of the brothers. Part 2	Montpelier Evening Argus Identical treatments of a July 1952 race from competing local papers. Must be the track issued press releases, even in those days.	Barre Daily Times Identical treatments of a July 1952 race from competing local papers. Must be the track issued press releases, even in those days.
Montpelier Evening Argus Still pushing the Grandma Folsom thing.	Montpelier Evening Argus Another season, another championship race. By now Chittenden County tracks were also running their own.	Burlington Daily News The B.D. News was a very anti - racing paper. It wouldn't publish results, only disastors and bad racing news. It MIGHT sell an ad though.	Barre Daily Times 1952 win for Bob Marinelli. Part 1	Barre Daily Times 1952 win for Bob Marinelli. Part 2
Montpelier Evening Argus Another big crowd on Sept 23. Chaloux wins. Part 1	Montpelier Evening Argus Another big crowd on Sept 23. Chaloux wins. Part 2 The Barre Daily Times coverage is identical.	Barre Daily Time Sept 30. Coolbeth wins. Part 1	Barre Daily Time Sept 30. Coolbeth wins. Part 2 M.E. Argus article the same.	Barre Daily Time 1953 opener. The ad was understated and so was their final 1950's season.
Caledonian Record Same opener. A little more palatable graphics.	Caledonian Record Seems to be the last hurrah for the Central VT group.	Caledonian Record The Record seems to be pay more attention to the track than the local papers..	Nothing shows up in a Vermont newspaper after these May ads. The track may have closed then. By 1954, I don't think a single track except maybe West Brattleboro and Stateline was running.

NORHFIELD SPEEDWAY YEARS

From the Barre - Montpelier Times Argus
This showy 1961 ad shows a little of everything, as the track went all out that year. It was trying to compete with the high - profile
Thunder Road and with the declining Northeastern Speedway. All tracks near Burlington were gone. I doubt the new track
near Vergennes affected it all.

Note: There are so many photos from this period, I cannot possibly do them all in perfect
chronological order.

USGS Terraserver Photo
A 1990's aerial photo of the site.

Historic Aerials.com Photo
A 2003 aerial.

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Barre Times Argus August, 1960. Opener.	Barre Times Argus June 1960. Cancellation. Good driver listing. Part 1 Never opened then.	Barre Times Argus June 1960. Cancellation. Good driver listing. Part 2	The track seemed snake bitten from its first opening int he 1960's. It would go through driver injuries, fires on the property, spectators hurt driving home, disputes with contractors, spectators hurt on the grounds, and much more. All this time, it was competing for the same cars and spectators as T Road and Northeastern. They gave it a brave try. And, in 1960, it seemed as though it was rained out almost all the time.	Barre Times Argus Aug. 6,1960. Starts right out with well - publicized driver injury.
Barre Times Argus August 6, 1960. Hopeful ad for Opener.	Barre Times Argus August 11, 1960. They started that year as a dirt track. The paving, in and of itself caused a lot of controversy as to the surface quality and whether the paver ever got paid.	Barre Times Argus August 13, 1960. They could have been the only dirt track in the area, but I guess they figured they couldn't get cars - if most of them ran on pavement.	Barre Times Argus August 19, 1960. Here we go !
Barre Times Argus August 11, 1960.	Barre Times Argus Sept. 3, 1960. Of course it was dust free - it was constantly raining out.	Barre Times Argus Sept. 7, 1960. They got in a race program, not to the benefit of poor Chet.	Barre Times Argus Sept. 11, 1960. Odd advertisement - it's a list of rules.	Barre Times Argus Sept 12, 1960. Here's an interesting little twist: Ed Magoon almost certainly bought the car of Chet Parker. It was run at Otter Creek and at CJ RIchards' big show at the 1962 Rutland Fair. See the next two photos.
Dubrul Collection Chet Parker's 49 is seen in the background here at T Road in 1960.	Norm Vadnais Photo The same car is seen in the front of a lineup at the big Rutland Fair show in September of 1962.	Barre Times Argus Sept. 19, 1960. Another rainout.	Barre Times Argus Sept. 26, 1960. Finally had races. Part 1	Barre Times Argus Sept. 26, 1960. Finally had races. Part 2
Barre Times Argus Sept. 26, 1960. Severance and Magoon injured. Severance had been high up in points.	Barre Times Argus Sept. 29, 1960. Severance out of hospital. Severance had been high up in points	Barre Times Argus Oct. 7, 1960. Adv for hardtop surface.	Barre Times Argus Oct. 14, 1960. Plans for big race.	Montpelier Daily Post Oct. 17, 1960. A young Ed Pelletier begins his career, that would go on to track titles as a car owner and active racing into the 1970's.
Montpelier Daily Post Oct. 17, 1960. A young Ed Pelletier begins his career, that would go on to track titles as a car owner and active racing into the 1970's.	Montpelier Daily Post Oct. 17, 1960. A young Ed Pelletier begins his career, that would go on to track titles as a car owner and active racing into the 1970's. Part 2	Montpelier Daily Post Oct. 17, 1960. A young Ed Pelletier begins his career, that would go on to track titles as a car owner and active racing into the 1970's. Part 3	Montpelier Daily Post Oct. 17, 1960. A young Ed Pelletier begins his career, that would go on to track titles as a car owner and active racing into the 1970's. Part 4	Montpelier Daily Post Oct. 17, 1960. The Post went all out on this race report. A photo of 2nd place finisher Hatch.
Montpelier Daily Post Oct. 17, 1960. The Post went all out on this race report. A photo of 3rd place finisher Stygles	Barre Times Argus Oct 21, 1960. A championship race for B class stock cars.	Barre Times Argus August, 1960. Asphalt track completed. An ad the following year sounds like they paved it again.	Montpelier Daily Post Nov.1, 1960. A photo of three winners at the track: Ed Pelletier, Ralph Hatch, and Ray Stygles.	Barre Times Argus Nov 4, 1960. Adv. for November racing. The track got such a late start in 1960, and missed so many shows, they wanted to extend it as far as they could.

. Barre Times Argus Nov 4, 1960. Adv. for November racing. The season finale.	Barre Times Argus May 15, 1961. Opener. Someone named Shorty Morrison wins. Part 1	Barre Times Argus May 15, 1961. Opener. Someone named Shorty Morrison wins. Part 2	Burlington Free Press May 31, 1961. Ralph Hatch winner.	Barre Times Argus June 2, 1961. Bigger purse. This had to be straining the track budget. They still had Thunder Road to compete with for cars.
Barre Times Argus June 5, 1961. A popular win for a local driver. Part 1	Barre Times Argus June 5, 1961. A popular win for a local driver. Part 2	Barre Times Argus June 6, 1961. Advertisement.	Hardwick Gazette June 28, 1961. Advertisement from a different paper than usual.	Northfield News and Advertiser June 29, 1961. The s--- starts hitting the fan. One of three fires on the grounds that year. Thw News & Advertiser would take any opportunity to knock the track by this point.
Northfield News and Advertiser June 29, 1961. More s--- hitting the fan. Drinking ? Ever heard of Bud Hill fella ?	Barre Times Argus July 3, 1961. Hopeful ad to compete with a probable T Road program on same day.	Barre Times Argus July 10, 1961. Ray Stygles carries the day. Part 1	Barre Times Argus July 10, 1961. Ray Stygles carries the day. Part 1 Wayne Chandler's presence signals that there were no more tracks left in Colchester by then.	Barre Times Argus July 24, 1961. Northeastern Speedway ace Bobby Waugh wins.
Barre Times Argus Aug 4 , 1961. New track ? They just paved it last August.	Barre Times Argus Aug 14, 1961. More and worse s--- hitting the fan. Highly - publicized spectator injuries. Part 1	Barre Times Argus Aug 14, 1961. More and worse s--- hitting the fan. Highly - publicized spectator injuries. Part 2	Barre Times Argus Aug 14, 1961. More and worse s--- hitting the fan. Highly - publicized spectator injuries. Part 3 & 4	Barre Times Argus Aug 14, 1961. They even published photos of the victims, as if the track didn't already have enough headaches.
Barre Times Argus Aug 26, 1961. Back to the business of actually racing - Bruce Pierson wins. Part 1	Barre Times Argus Aug 26, 1961. Back to the business of actually racing - Bruce Pierson wins. Part 2 By the way, that's Red WIlford, not Red Welfare.	Barre Times Argus Aug 31, 1961. Lloyd Severance again. This track may have been the high point for the Bridgewater fur trapper.	Barre Times Argus Aug 31, 1961. Lloyd Severance again. Part 2.	Barre Times Argus Sep 9, 1961. Adv.
Barre Times Argus Sep 11, 1961. Future track champ Larry Granger wins. Part 1.	Barre Times Argus Sep 11, 1961. Future track champ Larry Granger wins. Part 12	Barre Times Argus Sep 15, 1961. Miss Northfield Speedway contest opens.	Barre Times Argus Sep 15, 1961. Big title race also announced.	Barre Times Argus Sep 16, 1961. Adv. Part of a big Northfield Speedway ad blitz.
Barre Times Argus Sep 16, 1961. More blitz.	Barre Times Argus Sep 18, 1961. Larry Granger wins twice. Part 1	Barre Times Argus Sep 18, 1961. Larry Granger wins twice. Part 2	Barre Times Argus Sep 18, 1961. Larry Granger wins twice. Part 3	Barre Times Argus Sep 18, 1961. Beede crash photo.
Barre Times Argus Sep 20, 1961. Injured girl back to school.	Barre Times Argus Sep 22, 1961. Huge championship race adv. Entire shot.	Barre Times Argus Sep 22, 1961. Huge championship race adv. Photo 1.	Barre Times Argus Sep 22, 1961. Huge championship race adv. Photo 2.	Barre Times Argus Sep 22, 1961. Huge championship race adv. Photo 3.
Barre Times Argus Sep 22, 1961. Huge championship race adv. Photo 4.	Barre Times Argus Sep 22, 1961. Huge championship race adv. Photo 5.	Barre Times Argus Sep 23, 1961. More championship race adv.	Burlington Free Press Sep 23, 1961. Huge championship race adv. Different paper.	Barre Times Argus Sep 22, 1961. Huge championship race adv. Parade.
Barre Times Argus Sep 25, 1961. Now Barber and Forsythe to race at Northfield. I bet this was starting to get on Thunder Road's nerves. Part 1.	Barre Times Argus Sep 25, 1961. Now Barber and Forsythe to race at Northfield. Part 2.	Barre Times Argus Sep 25, 1961. Granger wins championship race article. Part 1.	Barre Times Argus Sep 25, 1961. Granger wins championship race article. Part 2.	Barre Times Argus Sep 25, 1961. Granger wins championship race article. Familiar photo.
Barre Times Argus June 8, 1962. Looks like they were starting another season. Adv.	Barre Times Argus June 29, 1962. News from T Road that would benefit Northfield. Part 1	Barre Times Argus June 29, 1962. News from T Road that would benefit Northfield. Part 2	Barre Times Argus June 30, 1962. Looks like they were starting another season. Part 1.	Barre Times Argus June 30, 1962. Looks like they were starting another season. Part 2.
Barre Times Argus June 30, 1962. Looks like they were starting another season. Advertisement.	There do not appear to be any more news articles or ads from Northfield after the June material. Rumors and local lore hold that Cooley Construction bought a sand pit whose location controlled the entry to Northfield Speedway. That was that.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Probably the 1961 season. Northfield's own Dale Gilbert hauling into the track.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Probably the 1961 season. Track champion Larry Granger's car with owner LIbero Buzzi seen in white coveralls at left.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Probably the 1961 season. An unidentified car.
Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Probably the 1961 season. The Winooski - based Jim LaFreniere 8 Ball at the track.	Courtesy of Phil Chastenay Lloyd Severance.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Probably the 1961 season. Champion Larry Granger with car owner Libero Buzzi, left.	Courtesy of Cho Lee This car 6 seen on the track at Northeastern was also seen in an ad for Northfield in Sept. of '61.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Probably the 1961 season. Hardwick's George Hay fielded this car probably for Al Corey.
Courtesy of Dick Bradley Ray Stygles [right] shown here at Northfield with Herb Corse.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Probably the 1961 season. Ed Ryan the track.	Ladabouche Photo New Hampshire's Rosie Rosendahl was injured at the track. This shot is from Fair Haven.	Courtesy of Dan Newhall David Newhall's U2, driven often by Meriden Nelson.	Courtesy of Dan Newhall David Newhall's U2, driven often by Meriden Nelson.
Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Ed Pelletier talks to white - suited starter Archie Blackadar at Northfield in 1961. Ed had come a way from that football helmeted young winner there in 1960.	Courtesy of Cho Lee The Andy Cote team that was outlawed at T Road in 1962. They were to run Northfield before the track's unexpected demise in '62.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert Probably the 1961 season. Kids check out the George Barber 46, driven by Pappy Forsythe. The car had not raced there unitl Sept. of 1961.	Courtesy of Cho Lee The Ed Pelletier 51, beside a local car 55 at Northfield.	Courtesy of Mike Gilbert 1961 champ Larry Granger looks at his trophy in the midst of his fans at Northfield.