2/27/06
CLOSED/INACTIVE TRACKS HISTORY
This section will focus on area tracks that are no longer active or even exist. Champions, more information and other statistics will be added in the future if it's available. The "still exists" status term means that you can still view the track in some form as it hasn't been torn up or built over; it doesn't mean it's in racing condition when it was running and open.
Civic Stadium (Roesch Stadium, Jopp Stadium and War Memorial Stadium also with the "Rockpile" nickname)
1940-1959: Buffalo, NY downtown on Best St. and Jefferson Ave.
1/4 mile cinder oval on 5/30/40, then 1/4 mile paved flat oval running from 8/30/40- 7/30/42 and 8/30/45-9/19/59.
Over 5,000 people saw Bill Torrisi win the Stock feature, John Pennell grab the Jalopy feature and Irv "Flip" Johnson take the demolition derby at the final show.
STATUS: track torn up in 1959 with the stadium demolished in 1989 (some pillars were left actually) and a recreation field is now on its location.
Weekly shows in the 1950s were held on Tuesday and Saturday nights until a move to Sunday shows. Jim Reed of Peekskill, NY won both of the NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) 100 events held on June 2, 1956 and on July 19, 1958 with his Ford. A NASCAR Convertible Late Model event was held on July 7, 1956 with Joe Weatherly being victorious.
The Midgets raced there regularly through 1949 (had appearances in 1959 though), and then the stock cars ran from 6/20/49 in which Bob Sund won the first feature until the 1959 track closing. The football field was inside the track. It was the home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills starting in 1946; Rich Stadium was finished being built and opened in 1973 to become the new home of the Buffalo Bills. The 1984 baseball film "The Natural" starring Robert Redford and Glenn Close used the War Memorial Stadium for location shooting.
Champions:
1959: Bill Rafter #22 - Stock/Sportsman,
John Everett #94 - Jalopy
1958: Dick Hurd #117 - Stock/Sportsman,
? (probable) Tom Carter #_ ? Bob Parko #_ ? - Jalopy
1957: Bill Torrisi #33 - Stock/Sportsman,
? Lenny Justa #_ - Jalopy
1956: Roy Campbell #7NY - Stock/Sportsman
Jerry Gradl #34 - Jalopy
1955: Bill Rafter #22 - Stock/Sportsman
1954: Ted Jones (Bert Fleischman) #1 - Stock/Sportsman
1953: Bobby Sund #65 - Stock/Sportsman
1952: Bobby Sund #65 - Stock/Sportsman
1951: Lenny Justa #84 - Stock/Sportsman
1950: Hugh Darragh #35 ? - Stock/Sportsman
1949: Bill Rafter #19 - Stock/Sportsman,
"Bronco" Bill Schindler #2 - Midget
1948: "Bronco" Bill Schindler #2 - Midget
1947: "Bronco" Bill Schindler #2 - Midget
1946: Al Keller #_ - Midget
1945: Alfred "Pee Wee" Southcott #2,55 - Midget
1942: Larry Bloomer #_ - Midget
1941: Rosco "Pappy" Hough #78 ? - Midget
1940: Harry Sheeler #28 - Midget
? champions - Bobby Cameron #70, Frank Wagner ?
North Collins Speedway (Johnny's or Johnnie's Speedway also)
1958-1968: North Collins, NY on Brant Rd./Rt. 249
1/3 mile dirt oval
STATUS: it's farmland as it was graded over.
Art Clark ran the track in its last years before it closed in 1968 with the Late Model and Midget classes.
Champions:
1966: Art Clark #7 - Late Model
1965: _ - Late Model
1964: Roger Treichler #74 - Late Model
Akron Motor Speedway (New Akron Speedway name also)
1935-5/30/41 and 1946-1948: Akron, NY
1/2 mile dirt oval
It's due north of Akron on the northwest corner of Cedar St. and Martin Rd. They ran Big Cars in the '30s.
STATUS: track outline still exists in fair condition and it's located on private property. Vegetation is growing in the track's infield.
Lockport Fairgrounds
1930s-1940s & 1948-1955 ? : Lockport, NY on Transit Rd. about 3-4 miles north of Main St.
dirt oval
STATUS:
West Seneca Speedway (Gardenville Speedway also)
1949 ?-1960: West Seneca, NY on Seneca Creek Rd. off Union Rd. about 1 mile east
1/3 mile dirt oval
STATUS: some track parts can be made out with the track being located close to the road
There were no lights and daytime races were run on Sunday afternoons. It was owned by George Heusinger. He decided to stop racing at the track after several other local tracks opened up in the area; they considerably depleted his entrants and crowds which he decided was the end of racing there. It is now part of a farmer's field. Art Clark tried to resurrect the track in 1964, but the town turned it down.
Ebenezer Speedway (Legion Speedway also)
1935 ?-1939 ?: West Seneca, NY
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS: little remains of the track
There were Big Car races held there in the late '30s.
Albion Fairgrounds
193_ ?-1940s ?: Albion, NY
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS:
There were races held there in the late '30s.
Oak Orchard Speedway
193_ ?-1940s ?: Medina, NY
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS:
There were races held there in the late '30s.
Suicide Hill Speedway (also LeRoy)
193_ ?-1940s ?: LeRoy, NY
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Bill Rafter started his racing career there with a Midget in 1948.
Batavia Speedway
193_ ?-1950s ?: Batavia, NY
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS:
It's a different location than the present Genesee Speedway in Batavia. It was located where the Batavia Downs horse track was situated. Documented events were run in 1938, 1942, 1948 and 1952.
Brockport Speedway
1919 ?: Brockport, NY
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Angelica Raceway
? 1949-1965: Angelica, NY (located on Alleghany County Fairgrounds)
1/3 mile dirt oval
STATUS: nothing remains of the track
1964 was the last full season. A Late Model 100 lap race was the final ever show held in August, 1965 with a banner field of entries. Irv Hall in a brand-new Ford won the final event over Dick Flaig.
Champions:
? 1964: Pete Tingue #22 - Modern
Cuba Lake Speedway
1954-1959: Cuba, NY
1/4 mile dirt oval
STATUS: track outline can be seen
1957 was the last full season. The 4th Annual Cuba Lake Reunion was held in July, 2007 and included a visit to the track's location. A July 30, 2008 reunion is again scheduled near the track at Moonwinks Restaurant and Lounge.
Champions:
1957: ? Doc Hoctor #118 - Stock
1956: Bill Higman #86 - Stock
1955: ?
1954: Bill Rafter #22 ? - Stock
Sheridan (Van's) Speedway
late 1950s-1960 ?: Sheridan, NY (located on a hill)
1/3 ? mile dirt oval
STATUS:
The big (Stock class?) winner was a driver named Tommy Black.
Dunkirk Speedway
1950s-196_ ?: Dunkirk, NY (located on Chautauqua County Fairgrounds ?)
1/3 ? mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Dunkirk Dragway
1958-19 ?: Dunkirk, NY (located at Dunkirk Airport)
paved dragstrip
STATUS:
Erie County Fairgrounds
1930s-1997 ?: Hamburg, NY
1/2 mile dirt/crushed stone (cinder-type) oval
STATUS: still exists and used for horse racing.
NASCAR Grand National (Strictly Stock in 1949, now Sprint Cup) races were held in 1949 and 1950. The September 18, 1949 Hamburg 200 event (one of only eight events on the 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock schedule) was won by Lockport's Jack White in a Lincoln with the August 27, 1950 Hamburg 200 event having Dick Linder score the victory in an Oldsmobile after starting from the pole. Many other groups raced over the years there including the DIRT Modifieds, ARDC, ESS, URC and USAC. It's doubtful auto racing will ever be held there as buildings were built right next to the backstretch guardrail.
Hyde Park Stadium
1930s-1945/8 ?: Niagara Falls, NY on Hyde Park Blvd. and Niagara Falls Blvd.; Hyde Park is located about 2 miles from the famous Niagara Falls waterfalls
1/4 ? mile cinder oval track. Midget and possibly motorcycle events were held there.
STATUS: park itself is still there, but I don't have details about the track location or any other specifics.
Champions:
1945: _ - Midget
Niagara Falls Convention Center
1984-2002: Niagara Falls, NY
1/10 mile chemical based oval
STATUS: racing action stopped when the building was made into a casino.
The T.Q. Midgets and Go Karts raced inside in about 3-4 events each winter. Over 55 T.Q. Midget features were run during the 17 seasons series; I have an almost complete T.Q. Midget win list also.
Champions:
2001-2002: Greg Furlong #72 - T.Q. Midget
2000-2001: Mike Stahl #01 - T.Q. Midget
1999-2000: Mike Tidaback #43 - T.Q. Midget
1998-1999: Keith Dempster #5 - T.Q. Midget
1997-1998: Mark Sammut #78 - T.Q. Midget
1996-1997: Joey Payne #04 ? - T.Q. Midget
1995-1996: Keith Dempster #5 - T.Q. Midget
1994-1995: Dave McKnight #12 - T.Q. Midget
1993-1994: Dave McKnight #12 ? - T.Q. Midget
1992-1993: Dan May #03 - T.Q. Midget
1991-1992: Andy Mackereth #40 - T.Q. Midget
1990-1991: Joey Payne #20 - T.Q. Midget
1989-1990: Wayne Turnbull #31 ? - T.Q. Midget
1988-1989: Nick Fornoro, Jr. #18 - T.Q. Midget
1987-1988: Lenny Boyd #51 - T.Q. Midget
1986-1987: no races
1985-1986: Mike Osite #45 - T.Q. Midget
1984-1985: Bentley Warren #9 - T.Q. Midget
Niagara Raceway Park/International Raceway
1961-1974: Niagara Falls, NY at Lockport and Tuscarora Rds. on north side of Niagara Falls Airport
1/4 mile paved dragstrip
STATUS: still exists in fair condition
The N.H.R.A. (National Hot Rod Association) sanctioned races.
It was famous on the local radio stations for its memorable commercials containing "SSSSSSSUUUUUNNNNNNNDDDDAAAAAAYYYYY Niagara" in them. They ran Sunday shows with time trials at 11 am and races starting at 1:30 pm. "Big Daddy" Don Garlits and Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney made appearances there also.
Ransomville Speedway (ORIGINAL and #2)
1955-1957: Ransomville, NY
1/4 mile dirt oval
STATUS:
The first track location was behind Ed Ortiz' garage and ran into the neighbor's property. 1956's reconfigured and second version had the track entirely behind the garage property. The third Ransomville location and the current 1/2 mile dirt oval on Brailey Rd. opened in 1958; it was a 1/4 mile track at the beginning though.
Champions:
1957: Ed Ortiz #0 - Jalopy
1956: Don Reese #_ - Jalopy
1955: Ed Ortiz #0 - Jalopy
Penny Royal Speedway
1946-mid 1950s: Leon, NY (about 60 miles south of Buffalo)
1/2 mile dirt oval on Rt. 62
STATUS: little remains
It was built by the Leon Volunteer Fire Company on the site of an old horse racing track of the same name. 1950 NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) champion Bill Rexford of Conewango Valley and his 1950 teammate Lloyd Moore (finished 4th in 1950 NASCAR GN points) both started their racing careers at this track. Bill, who passed away in 1994, is still the youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup champion at age 23 (Jeff Gordon won his first title at age 24). A track reunion was held on October 1, 2005 at the Leon Fire Hall and included Lloyd Moore of Frewsburg who was the oldest surviving NASCAR Sprint Cup driver at age 95 when he passed away in May, 2008.
Hunt Speedway
19-1950s ?: , NY (south of Rochester)
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Naples Speedway
19-1950s ?: , NY (near Rochester)
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS: _
Southport Speedway
19-1950s ?: , NY (near Elmira)
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS: _
Jackie Soper was the 1958 champion.
Roll-O-Bowl Speedway
19-1950s ?: , NY (near Jamestown)
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS: _
It was a track that actually ran over a creek in two places.
Drum Raceway
19_-1972 ?: , NY: located 1/2 mile off of Rt. 17 between Wellsville and Allentown
1/ mile dirt oval
STATUS:
It ran on Saturdays in 1972 with the Late Model and Hooligan classes. Monroe Puffer was leading in the Late Model class and Ted Becker was leading the Hooligan class for points by mid-August of 1972.
Champions:
1972: - Late Model
- Hooligan
Hornell Raceway
1959-1965: Ashbaugh Hill, NY (south of Hornell)
1/3 mile dirt oval
STATUS:
It was owned by the Amidon family and ran on Sundays.
Champions:
1965:
1964:
1963:
1962:
1961:
1960:
1959:
Hemlock Fairgrounds
1947-1953: Hemlock, NY
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Champions:
1953: Dutch Hoag #96 - Sportsman
1952: Elmer Musclow #18 - Sportsman
Caledonia Speedway
5/30/36-1942, 12/44 event and 5/5/46-1949: Caledonia, NY located on Caledonia Fairgrounds
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Champion:
1949: Bobby Cameron #18 ? - Sportsman
Monroe County Fairgrounds
1949-1981: located in Henrietta, NY
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS: most of the track remains
Fair races were run starting in 1963. A Micro-Sprint event was held in 2005 on the grounds.
Champions:
1981: Will Cagle #24 - Modified
1969: Lou Lazzaro #4 - Modified
1968: Lou Lazzaro #4/Lee Osborne #18 - Modified
1967: Dutch Hoag #18 - Modified
1966: Sammy Reakes #_ - Modified
1965: Lou Lazzaro #4 - Modified
1964: Dutch Hoag #18 - Modified
1963: Ken Meahl #28 - Modified
Sammy Reakes #37 ? - Limited Sportsman
1962: CLOSED
1961: Bill Wimble #s33 - Modified
1960: Elmer Musclow #_ - Modified
1959: Bill Rafter #22 - Modified
1958: Elmer Musclow #_ - Modified
1957: Pepper Eastman #_ - Modified
1956: Lee Bliss #_ - Modified
1955: Dutch Hoag #96 - Modified
1954: Dutch Hoag #96 - Modified
1953: Dutch Hoag #96 - Modified
1952: Dutch Hoag #96 - Modified
1951: Don White #_ - Modified
1950: Pappy Hough #_ - Modified
1949: Kenny Meahl #14 - Modified (only 1 race)
Brighton Fairgrounds
Early 1930s and early 1950s: Rochester (Brighton), NY on Crittendon Blvd.
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS: nothing remains as a housing development is there
Champions:
193_:
Glen Aubrey Raceway
1950-1968: located on State Rt. 26 in Glen Aubrey, NY (northwest of Binghamton)
1/4 mile dirt oval
STATUS: A trailer park is on its location. A small piece of the frontretch wall is there (or was as of 2003).
Don Diffendorf was the only driver to be a track champion at the three original Triple Cities area tracks: Glen Aubrey (1960), Five Mile Point (1962) and Shangri-La (1967).
Champions:
1968: Dale Forkey #11 - Late Model
1967: ? Dale Forkey #11 or Don Benjamin #11 - Late Model
1966: ? Dale Forkey #11 or Don Benjamin #11 - Late Model
1965: Dale Forkey #11 - Late Model
1960: Don Diffendorf #23 - Modified
1959: DeForest Chalker #35 - Modified
1958: Joe Donahue #47 Jr. - Modified
1957: Joe Donahue #47 Jr. - Modified
1956: / - Modified
1955: Bucky Dew #60 - Modified
1954: Bucky Dew #60 - Modified
1953: Rolf Holtkamp #78 - Modified
1952: Bill Strosahl #84 - Modified
1951: Hank Clark #96 - Modified
1950: Monk Rauch #18 - Modified
Ithaca-Dryden Speedway
1950s-1970s: located on Rt. 13 between Ithaca and Dryden, NY
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Champions:
195_:
Maple Grove Speedway
1948-1977: located in Waterloo, NY
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Champions:
1977: Alan Johnson #14J - Modified
1976: Gary Iulg #56 - Modified
1972-1975: CLOSED
1971: Walt Mitchell #24 - Late Model
1970: Terry Edwards #20 - Modified, Bill Updike #151 - Late Model
1964: Larry Nye #150 ? - Modified
1958: Glenn Reniers #_ - Sportsman
1957: Glenn Reniers #_ - Sportsman
1955: Glenn Reniers #_ - Sportsman
1949:
1948:
Twin Valley Speedway
1970-1972: Chenango Forks, NY located off Rt. 12
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Champions:
1972: Don Beagell #170 - Modified
_ - Late Model
_ - Mini Stock
1971: Dave Kneisel #711 - Modified
George Hoffmier #93 - Late Model
Gene Thorpe #47 - Mini Stock
1970: Red Harrington #14/Pete Hulbert #23 - Modified
Two Modified features were run in 1970. It ran on Fridays and Sundays.
Midstate Speedway
196_ ? -197_: Morris, NY located
1/2 mile dirt oval that ran on Fridays
STATUS:
Champions:
1972: - Modified, - Late Model
1971: Mert "Socks" Hulbert #23 - Modified, Jerry Wisnoski #21 - Late Model
1970: Mert "Socks" Hulbert #23 - Modified, Jerry Wisnoski #21 - Late Model
Bath Speedway
1952-1954: Bath, NY (located north of Bath on what's now Rt. 415 across the road from the Knight Settlement Rd.)
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS: a livestock auction is located there.
The Cohocton Valley Racing Association (CVRA) operated the track.
Champion:
1954: Dutch Hoag #96 - Stock
1953: Dutch Hoag #96 - Stock
1952: Dutch Hoag #96 - Stock
Cairo Fairgrounds Speedway
1974-197_: , NY
1/2 mile dirt oval
STATUS:
Mert "Socks" Hulbert #8 won the Modified feature in August, 1974 when it opened. The Sportsman class was also in competition.
Champions:
1974: - Modified, - Sportsman
Islip Speedway
1949-1984: Islip, NY (Long Island)
1/5 mile oval
STATUS: a cookie factory is on the property. Bob Park won the last ever event in September, 1984 with his Modified #19.
Freeport Speedway/Stadium
1939-1983: Freeport, NY (Long Island)
1/5 mile oval
STATUS:
Weissglass Speedway
1953-1972: , NY (Staten Island)
1/5 mile oval
STATUS: little remains of the track. An industrial park is planned for the area.
Frankie Schneider was the first champion in 1953. The track was nicknamed "The Flying Saucer."
Westhampton Speedway
194_ ?-197_: , NY (Long Island)
1/ mile oval
STATUS:
Source: Mark Southcott/NYRaceZone.com PR;
Special thanks for additions:
Keith Herbst
Russ Fleetwood
Kenny Hangauer, Jr.
Lee Sexton
Gary Spaid
Ford Easton
Dan Hall
Greg Holland
Mike Monnat
Dave Sully
Ron Doster
Dwight Clock
Bob Miller
Motorsport Memorial site
Terry Lynch
George LeBlanc
Rick Mooney
West Seneca Historical Society
Art Clark
Howard Boundy
* anyone I forgot with sincere apologies
Posted: February 27, 2006; updated: July 4, 2008
