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
Th
is 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.

S
ource: Brookfield Memories Facebk Page
 A recent photo of the facility. 
 
S
ource: 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 w
as 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
T
urns 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
A
ttend, 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
A
nother 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.

 


S
ource: 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
S
haron Springs

 


Courtesy of Midstate Club
This aerial newspaper photo and caption pretty much say it all.


Courtesy of NYMRN
Come one, come all !

 


S
ource 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
C
ar 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
S
myrna


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
Th
e 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.


S
ource: 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

 

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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