I dont know exactly what the schedule looks like, so I might not have chose that particular race, had I known all that when I did. You keep going back to these other race tracks, and you kind of know what to expect. Spooky. Only two years ago did it close, in 2017, and it's already starting to show signs of age and decay, neglect and disarray. To say Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a fan of old race tracks is an understatement. http://www.youtube.com/user/Circuitsofthepast?sub_confirmation=1 Thanks for the subscribe :) A father-son pair by the names of A. Racetrack for Sale .. asking $295,000 . I know that place. And then the day we go and walk into that track, it was like a funeral. The dirt has piled up, the paint has faded, the grasses and shrubs have grown tall around the structures, the fence is sagging and rusty, pavement cracked and roofs leaky. In 1950 Raleigh's population was only 65,000, yet the Speedway saw record-breaking crowds of over 16,000 people -- a true testament to the raging popularity of racing . As he called races at different short tracks across the state, Upchurch saw the declining popularity of local short-track racing in Texas as it happened and said it wasnt singular to Longhorn Speedway or the Austin market. View all photos. Just as she had after digging up nearly every other memory of the old track, Zuniga laughed. The only time people pass by it, he said, is on the way to park at that outdoor flea market hosted near the property each weekend. But these empty lanes are gyratingaround the circuit, going in circles for eternity, without end, until one day it's either torn down or the lanes are completely erased by the elements, foliage, plants, and grass growing in the cracks, ever-widening them until the tarmac is replaced with plants. They've just been filled with emptiness, decay, with every bit of the infrastructure turning derelict, facing the inevitable and relentless touch of time. NASCAR just raced at Nashville. Track/ Made for legendscars. This is what the drivers can expect. So thats always helpful to have some recent experience behind the wheel when youre in the broadcast booth because you bring a little more credibility, I think, to the to the viewers. one of the true gems of the 1960s and Texas . In comparison, modern Late Model car counts at local short tracks nationwide can sink into the single digits. Jun 28 2011. No regulation accompanied this legislation and in 1909 the legislature voted to prohibit race track gambling all together. The leaseholders at Longhorn knew Thunderhill, which would later become known as Central Texas Speedway, was nice. The big daddy of the lot, the Nazareth Speedway remained in operation for nearly a century - beginning 1910 and closing its doors in 2004. Clearly, the demand for the racing product itself is going in one direction. Been Here? recent Google Earth photos, I happened upon the Historic Aerials site, which @LostSpeedways pic.twitter.com/jguNuiPMTu, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 12, 2015. No matter how many tracks there already are, or have just been deemed "too dated," or "not relevant", they will keep making and building newer and better ones, all in the name of making more money, drawing more fans, justifying higher ticket prices. Erica Larson Odello Graphic Designer (2000-present) Author has 92 answers and 317K answer views 4 y Related Why are so many race tracks derilict? Finding a one-of-a-kind property can be difficult, but if you think outside the box you could bag yourself a conversion project with plenty of potential. It was a really good speedway, said Denise Beier Zuniga, who regularly attended everything from weekly races to demolition derbies, figure-eight racing and stunt shows at Longhorn as a child after moving down from Pennsylvania in the late 1960s. The famous track was started in 1925 by Richard Winning's great-grandfather, T.L. But, no more is that the case, because all remains empty now, filled with empty space and silent atmosphere, long faded echoes of the races that once roared here. Dirt tracks were made, with seating around the curves, then bigger tracks were made, paved tracks, then raceways and speedways were made, with all kinds of infrastructure and seating for thousands upon thousands of spectators. The crowds still came, but they didnt fill as many seats as in decades earlier. There are no main grandstands and there is no press box, giving a clear view from the highway to parts of the backstretch asphalt if youre looking hard enough. "Brush tracks" were operated in Brady, Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Boerne, Hilltop Lakes, Laredo, Seguin, San Angelo, Junction, Wichita Falls, Clear Park, and Bandera. Edinburg Motorsports Park (fka Edinburg International Racetrack) Location: Edinburg, TX Description: 1/4 mi Asphalt Drag Strip, Mud Drags, Moto Cross View Track's Profile Evadale Raceway (fka Ben Bruce Memorial Airpark Raceway) Location: Evadale, TX Description: 1/4 mi Asphalt Drag Strip View Track's Profile Gator Motorplex Location: Willis, TX Before his renown as an Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder, Carl Fisher raced his personal automobile against horses and offered rides for a fee at county fairs . Texas Horse Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. pretty much a complete offering of such photos. In 2007 the historic racetracks in Texas we're inducted into the Hall of Fame to commemorate their indelible impression left on horse racing in Texas. But as bad of a shape as the asphalt was at Longhorn, it was still more fun to race on, to me, than any of the other race tracks that we ran at.. It was built in 2005 and features modern two-story construction, the first floor of which is taken up entirely by a six-car garageoh, and a two-car porte-cochere, which is fancy-talk for the spot you leave your car to be valeted at a hotel. This is easier on you than B. died before the lease handover in 1968, and his former race track became known as Capital Speedway under its new owners. The same goes for Indy car legend A.J. Never knew anybody that could say, I was there and saw it, right? FOX 4. The vibrant green and blue of this photo, along with the rich oranges of sunset, make for quite a stunning photo. Even then, Upchurch said none of those blanks in racing were noteworthy in his memory. AERIAL VIEWS OF DEAD RACE TRACKS. Dale Earnhardt Jr. loves North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina, despite its dilapidated condition and desperate need for a makeover. Since he's been domesticated, it might be that he has a hard time finding food. But itll be fine. And! The Beaumont Flyer, Freddy Fryar, said Upchurch, summoning back his announcer voice as if hed called a race yesterday. Hartwell Speedway opened in 1969. 84 talking about this. The "New Belmont" Would Become the Deadliest Track in U.S. The Texas racing scene from all those years ago has become a blur for those who used to frequent the track, and they cant remember whether Terry Labonte, a native Texan and future Cup Series champion, raced at Longhorn. Advance Auto Parts Labor Day Classic auto races to run Saturday, Aug 31st Bringing NASCAR Family Fun to Houston Motorsports Park! AERIAL VIEWS OF For many, exploring abandoned places is their true passion. always trying to use the message boards, whose URL links often dry up. Stained concrete floors compliment the open floor plan, and the kitchen features custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and a walk-in pantry. Terraserver photos from the '90's, and then struggling with the often - too - 11/16/2016 6:33am Edited Date/Time 8/4/2019 11:42pm. You're getting back in the car for a one-off race this fall at Richmond, and the XFINITY race is the same day as the Cup race. Leaseholders began to change more frequently than they had in the past, and Upchurch said there would be the occasional season that would start later than usual while the new management sorted everything out. Here is Provided by The Oklahoman. RETURN TO THE ALL LINKS PAGE. Sources: Seph Lawless, USA Today & My Fox 8. seemingly don't have lives, think the aerial photos of race track sites are The first race track in Texas was built near the town of San Saba in the hill country before the Civil War. Asking price is $89,000. Lap after ghostly lap passes by, endlessly without number, as the lap counter doesn't keep track of how many. The abandoned .625-mile track is . If you look close, you can still see the remains of the grandstand, the tire wall going around turns 3 and 4, the light posts, and . B. and Louis Wusterhausen opened the track, owning and managing for eight years before the Statesman reported that a local racing group took over the lease. If you were at the Myrtle Beach Grand Prix in 1993 you might have got your ass kicked. Some paint schemes had the classic flames, others a neon design to stand out. A highly recommended stop. ), Pompano Park, Florida, closed 2022 after 58 years of abusing horses, Arlington Park, Illinois, closed 2021 after 94 years of abusing horses, Calder Race Course, Florida, closed 2020 after 49 years of abusing horses, Scarborough Downs, Maine, closed 2020 after 70 years of abusing horses, Bluegrass Downs, Kentucky, closed 2019 after 35 years of abusing horses, Suffolk Downs, Massachusetts, closed 2019 after 84 years of abusing horses, Portland Meadows, Oregon, closed 2019 after 73 years of abusing horses, Hazel Park, Michigan, closed 2018 after 69 years of abusing horses, Les Bois Park, Idaho, closed 2016 after 46 years of abusing horses, Atlantic City Race Course, New Jersey, closed 2015 after 69 years of abusing horses, Balmoral Park, Illinois, closed 2015 after 89 years of abusing horses, Maywood Park, Illinois, closed 2015 after 69 years of abusing horses, Sports Creek Raceway, Michigan, closed 2015 after 28 years of abusing horses, Hollywood Park, California, closed 2013 after 75 years of abusing horses, Mount Pleasant Meadows, Michigan, closed 2013 after 28 years of abusing horses, Eureka Downs, Kansas, closed 2011 after 108 years of abusing horses, Atokad Downs, Nebraska, closed 2011 after 55 years of abusing horses, Northwest Montana Fair, closed 2011 after unknown number of years abusing horses, Yellowstone Downs, Montana, closed 2011 after 65 years of abusing horses, Blue Ribbon Downs, Oklahoma, closed 2010 after 47 years of abusing horses, Dayton Days, Washington, closed 2010 after 122 years of abusing horses, Manor Downs, Texas, closed 2010 after 20 years of abusing horses, Pinnacle Race Course, Michigan, closed 2010 after 2 years of abusing horses, Waitsburg, Washington, closed 2010 after 99 years of abusing horses, Walla Walla Fair, Washington, closed 2010 after 144 years of abusing horses, Western Montana Fair, closed 2010 after 96 years of abusing horses, Anthony Downs, Kansas, closed 2009 after 105 years of abusing horses, Rockingham Park, New Hampshire, closed 2009 after 103 years of abusing horses, Solano Fair, California, closed 2009 after 58 years of abusing horses, Bay Meadows, California, closed 2008 after 74 years of abusing horses, Jackson Harness Raceway, Michigan, closed 2008 after 60 years of abusing horses, Great Lakes Downs, Michigan, closed 2007 after 18 years of abusing horses, Rochester Fair, New Hampshire, closed 2007 after 73 years of abusing horses, Woodlands Racecourse, Kansas, closed 2007 after 17 years of abusing horses, Northampton Fair, Massachusetts, closed 2005 after 62 years of abusing horses, Saginaw Valley Downs, Michigan, closed 2005 after 25 years of abusing horses, Sportsmans Park, Illinois, closed 2002 after 70 years of abusing horses, Brockton Fair, Massachusetts, closed 2001 after 60 years of abusing horses, Garden State Park Racetrack, New Jersey, closed 2001 after 59 years of abusing horses, Playfair Race Course, Washington, closed 2001 after 100 years of abusing horses, Lone Oak Park, Oregon, closed 2000 after 67 years of abusing horses, Americas Dead Racehorses, State By State, Track By Track. The superspeedway had 22 degrees banking in the corners.The Texas World Speedway opened in November 1969 under the name Texas International Speedway and was an almost exact copy of the Michigan International Speedway.Unfortunately, during the 1980s the track fell into a state of disrepair and NASCAR and the IndyCars moved the Texas World Speedway from their calendar. This group is for all sorts of Retired Racing Vehicles and Abandoned Race (Ghost) Tracks; stock cars, drag cars, land speed, sprint cars, open wheel, road course, Baja, race trucks, motorcycles,. The windows for the stand have been shuttered tight for some time now. Racing $449,000 Texas Estate With 1.7-Mile Race Track in Backyard Is a Gearhead's Fantasy The entire first floor is taken up by a six-car garage with room for more toys and tools than your. This NASCAR speedway race track has never been in such shambles before. Apr 22, 2022 179 Dislike Share Circuits of the past 22.4K subscribers Texas World Speedway - Abandoned Race Track USA In this Circuits of the past video, we show you the abandoned Texas. This is a premier drag strip located in the mid-west providing racing for professional drivers as well as the amateur racer. More than 1.7 million people. The Bristol dirt race and COTA were a few weeks ago. The fastest road course in the U.S.? Zuniga passes by it every once in a while, remembering the days of demolition derbies, stunt shows and the Friday-night racing features. Its like losing and old friend, Zuniga said. The half-mile Meyer Speedway in Houston, which hosted a 1971 Cup Series race in which Bobby Allison and Richard Petty started on the front row in front of 9,000 spectators, went down in the late 1970s. It makes me sad. Emmanuel Macron's decisive victory over Marine Le Pen in the second round of the French presidential election on April 24, 2022 comes as no surprise. The decay and abandonment are clear in this photo, with refuse piled up against the stands. His passion is the backbone of Lost Speedways, his Peacock series that explores shuttered, dilapidated and abandoned race tracks around the country, as the (mostly) retired NASCAR driver investigates the tracks histories, their legends and their failures. Things happened more quickly. Let's take a look at 20 abandoned racetracks NASCAR wants us to forget about. Most of our shows, Im like, boots on the ground, cant wait to get there, excited. Rows and rows of them, in fact, chock full with no one. Over the years, Longhorn has joined hundreds of other race tracks across the U.S. and become whats commonly known as a ghost tracka racing facility that, for whatever reason, eventually closed its gates and was left to crumble. This is where the commentators would be, so they could see the whole thing happening as clearly as possible, so as to narrate the events of the race factually. They put up some cyclone fencing or something like that.. Then, if you've got a family that could care less about motorsports and adrenaline, the rest of the estate is equally stellar. [and some not so dead]. An ending. Gambling at Texas tracks was commonplace, but it wasn't until 1905 that it was sanctioned by the legislature "on the day and within the enclosure where such races are run". [Turns] one and two were a little more of a pointed corner, and three and four were a little rounder corner. The old Silver Spring Speedway is one . Let's just hope that they didn't forget to get everything out of the fridge and freezer. The legislature repealed the race track gambling law in 1937. For me, its the visual, like seeing them in person and walking around. Another three sets of the once-packed grandstands at Longhorn remain, rusted, contorted with age and visibly fighting off the inevitable forces of overgrown weeds and gravity that continue to overtake them. 20 Thunderhill Raceway As packed as California can get, being one of the most popular states to live at in the US, there's plenty of room for race tracks. The high-banked half-mile oval opened in 1969 and hosted races every single year until its closure in 2008, helping to . When we had that many cars, we had to limit the starting field to 18 or 20 for manual-scoring reasons, said Upchurch, referring to the days when positions on each lap had to be checked off by hand. For that reason, qualifications actually fulfilled their name. Umscheid admitted that Texas in general has just had a hard time keeping tracks going, but that doesnt make things any easier when he passes by the speedway in its crumbling state. Thank you to Tommy Azopardi, Dr. Charles Graham, Tommy Oliphant, and Wanda O'Banan for providing information on the historical racetracks of Texas. But Upchurch said the race track continued to operate for over a year after Thunderhill opened, only for its management to realize that the track just couldnt compete. I guess I will. These old signs seem to hold more of meaning after they're abandoned, as these signs give a glimpse into the knowledge of the past, the ways of life, styles, and more. Between 1954 and 1955 it welcomed three Formula 1 races, watched by a throng of thousands of spectators. 14.2K Likes, 74 Comments. We may earn a commission from links on this page. And I was kind of excited to put it on the list when we were in the board room discussing what tracks should we do: Yeah, Myrtle Beach. Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wanted Waffle House, so he got Waffle House. The mention of his name brought back even more memories. That could prove to be a pretty bad scenario. Opened in 1956 and closed at the end of the 1970 season. If you had all the powers in NASCAR and the ability to snap your fingers and make any track out there suitable for hosting race, what track would you add to the Cup schedule? Description: 1/4 mi Clay Oval, unfortunately, PERMANENTLY CLOSED as of 2013, BRINKMANN RECORDS BEST BMARA FINISH OF SEASON But back in the 1950s, this forgotten Cornish track played host to high-stakes Formula One races. Alas, not all good things can last forever, no matter how successful, and this speedway was shut down in 1996. It was a NASCAR original, too, in operation since the very inception of NASCAR itself, and held many iconic races over the years. DEAD RACE TRACKS I think were eager to go these new tracks and see how the cars react and drivers react for the first time. The back 2.9 has been demolished, so I've heard, but there's still rumors of it somehow reopening for club status. What were once ramps leading up to the seats are now inaccessible due to the overgrowth, and, even if they could be reached, would buckle under the sheer weight of a person. Entertainment Gulf Greyhound Park shuts down after nearly three decades of betting The track in Southeast Texas said the track was closed as of June 30, 2020. Credit: KHOU Gulf Greyhound. A Monkey on the Racetrack. I will share this abandoned dirt oval I found near the area I was in earlier, Latrobe, PA. Confederate Speedway was built in 1950 as a quarter-mile dirt oval that only lasted for about five years before being abandoned. Texas horse racing today exists because the fair associations and brush tracks kept the flame burning during the dark years. Longhorn was just smaller. The following racetracks have closed since 2000. In this same period, only three new tracks have opened: Pinnacle in Michigan which, as youll see, closed after only two years Presque Isle in Pennsylvania and Running Aces (harness) in Minnesota. That was always sort of this rumor. Drivers would see at least two more sets of crowds as they battled their way around to the backstretch, most of their cars wearing the dents of weekends past and giving off the rough, unpolished vibe that short-track racing often does. This famous track played host to NASCAR's top series from 1958-1988. Soon all these kinds of signs will be forgotten, decayed completely. The track closed immediately. The atmosphere was always charged and fun. Riverside International Raceway was a 2.62 mile road course in California's Moreno Valley. This is unfortunate, you know that this is not going to be here anymore. Phoenix Trotting Park Apetc on Flickr (Creative Commons) In its first year as Capital Speedway in 1968, Longhorn managers didnt open the track until mid Aprilan entire two months after the years Daytona 500. On the front straightaway at Longhorn, the only structure that remains is a skeleton of the flag stand. The big, gold earrings worn by trophy girls, whether they were Miss Miller Genuine Draft or Miss Miller High Life, flowed seamlessly with the plastic gold trophies they handed to the race winners. But the memories of Longhorn didnt wear out, even though theyre nearly all thats left for people like Umscheid and Zuniga. #TBT pic.twitter.com/vXUs9whwui, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 8, 2016. The plan is to have a place for fans of McFarland to come and he has many. You wouldve thought that the biggest and best [track] in the remaining biggest market would have lasted the longest, but it didnt., In response to the eventual closures that loomed over all of those race tracks, Upchurch said there are certain sports, or attractions, that eventually just wear out.. You had to drive a little differently on the different ends of the race track. He just cant pinpoint when things all started to go downhill. There was the occasional race car with a missing fender, and the only paint scheme on some of the others came from a spray can. 20 Abandoned Race Tracks NASCAR Wants Us To Forget About, A New Toyota Celica Concept Shows What A Pure Toyota Sports Car Could Be Without BMW, A Modern Plymouth Road Runner Like This Could Shake Up Today's Pony Car Market, EXCLUSIVE: This Toyota 2000GT Rendering Brings An Icon Into Modern Day, 2025 Chevrolet Corvette SUV: Release Date, Specs, And Everything We Know. Instead, most of the buildings have been both vandalized . Unofficial results online date well into May of 2000. The visionary behind this track was not the government, but . by KyleBrinkmannRacing in KyleBrinkmanRacing, a racer from Elkhorn, WI, Top Tips For Online Race Track Promotion . Easy-to-clean race deck flooring lines the shop and, as you can see in the photos, it's fully outfitted for maintaining your crew's fleet of racing machinery. Not very fast, but at least something is still moving. The community there doesnt want a big disruption, and so trying to trying to come in there and race without disrupting the community is very critical and important. But once you find someone, the memories come to the same general conclusion. These stands are filled with the vacuum of crowds that once cheered and roared like nothing else, with thunderous cheering and waving. Design. A race course was built in Brownwood in 1880; Hyde Park was established in 1850 in Austin; and Dallas had fair park in 1886. No, nobody ever comes out here to look at that.. Texas World Speedway - Abandoned Race Track USAIn this Circuits of the past video, we show you the abandoned Texas World Speedway.The Texas World Speedway was a 2 Mile long oval race track, located in College Station, Texas, USA. Progress. Modern Era Defunct The track is a 3/8 mile slightly banked clay oval. Location: Spring, Texas; Interests: Classic Racing History, Classic Street Rods, Classic Oldies Music, Former Radio and Track Announcer. Better go visit while it's still there.. http://www.savethespeedway.net/ The Uphill Downhill Track. Underneath the grandstands on the backstretch lays a full set of tires, but the deep grooves of tread indicate that, as spooky as the scene appears to be, they likely arent racing slicks from all those years ago. These days, barbed wire lines the property. In its day, former Longhorn Speedway PA announcer Neil Upchurch said the tracks premiere Late Model eventsone of the most expensive and therefore exclusive divisions in short-track racing, which features stock cars that appear to the casual eye to be a few years behind the current-generation NASCAR race carswould pull around two dozen race entries on any given Friday night in the late 1980s and into the 90s. Small-town tracks like Longhorn are exactly where most of those big names get their start, and they serve as the beginning of the pipeline for oval racers nationwide. Earnhardt Proving Grounds Episode 1 - 28 mins Dale Earnhardt Jr. visits Metrolina Speedway seeking clarity about an age-old family mystery. Not everything was fun. The [decline] of racing in Texas was, in some cases, so slow that it was hardly noticeable, Upchurch said. It didnt feel as homey as [the racing] once did, Zuniga said. Also, many abandoned railroads across the U.S. have been turned into beautiful trails, such as the Peak to Prosperity Passage portion of the Palmetto Trail in South Carolina which includes gorgeous foliage during the fall season and charming wooden trestle bridges any time of year. (Two other tracks, not listed below, were, for all intents and purposes, simply replaced after they closed: In Ohio, Beulah Park closed in 2014; its license was then picked up by Mahoning Valley, which opened that same year. So we found the person that had witnessed it and told us all about it. I've decided to pick four examples of race meetings being cancelled or postponed, with three of them being due to a health scare. It was strictly a business decision, Upchurch said. by Chris Stuber Feb 22, 2023, 7:28 am. It breaks my heart, Umscheid said. The YouTube series called "Dark Exploration Films" did a deep dive of the former race track located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.There is little left of the race track's NASCAR legacy. I could see the demise of racing in the southwest even happening way back then, he said, recalling that he wore out several cars to drive from his home to the announcing jobs he held simultaneously in Austin, San Antonio and College Station. Just one more turn, then maybe this NASCAR track won't be completely empty and abandoned, forgotten and left behind, as if it never existed in the first place. - YouTube After discovering Augusta International Raceway in the process of mapping every road course in North. Since then it has gone up for auction and is apparently being renovated. It didn't have to end this way for I-70 Speedway outside Odessa, Missouri. Established in 1996, the subdivision is anchored by a 1.7-mile racetrack and a 1.3-mile racetrack, which are designed for both hobbyists and hard-core competitors who own race cars, high . So its powerful to hear what the community thinks about that. The entire first floor is taken up by a six-car garage with room for more toys and tools than your average mechanic shop. Took my Dog for a walk round an old long forgotten, grassed over Motocross track on my lunch break today and I know some of you on here, like me love these old forgotten tracks, be they former GP/National tracks, club tracks or merely well ridden practice . There was an effort to revive it again in 1970, at which point it . Back then, youre thinking that youre going to be going to the races forever, until the day you die, Zuniga said. Quarter Horse racing was particularly popular at the time as it remains today throughout the Texas hill country. And so thats really unique and presents a ton of challenges. Longhorns distinctive winning race flags often had black-and-white checkers bigger than the rose-tinted sunglassesand the regular glasses, for that matterof the era, and purse money would likely go into getting the car ready for next weekends race rather than thickening up the winners wallet. This rural utopia is listed for $449,000a bargain considering its location, size, and condition. She laughed at her office desk, as if shed been reminded of an old friend she hadnt thought about in years because life got in the way. So is the way it goes with things that are no longer stewarded by humans, nature has a chance to reclaim everything for itself, and the beauty of that can be addicting, and most assuredly breathtaking. And its just crazy to think when you stand in there, youre like, I cant believe this is sitting here. So if you're worried about seats more than seeing an actual show, this is the place to go. Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Dale Earnhardt Jr. explores abandoned racetracks on 'Lost Speedways,' Season 2 debuts July 1 on Peacock Season 2 moves beyond the South to visit deserted raceways. Joined. This photo is filled with all kinds of parallel endings, both literal and metaphorical, the imagery conveys symbols and yet also talks, in reality, the physical. And they did. The 1/8-mile dragstrip, located in Dyersburg, about an hour north of Memphis, is being sold in virtually turn-key condition, including a brand new computer system and LED scoreboards that he recently invested $30,000 in. Edinburg Motorsports Park (fka Edinburg International Racetrack), Evadale Raceway (fka Ben Bruce Memorial Airpark Raceway), Little River Dragway (Formerly known as Temple Academy Dragway), Monarch Motor Speedway (fka Red River Speedway), The Big Country Raceway (also known as Abilene Dragstrip), West Texas Raceway (fka: Lady Luck Speedway), BRINKMANN RECORDS BEST BMARA FINISH OF SEASON, KyleBrinkmanRacing, a racer from Elkhorn, WI. Since the track was abandoned in the 70s, "A partial demolition" occurred in 2002 according to Urban Ghosts. have many aerials photos of towns anywhere from the 1930's, on up. Nearly 20 years after Longhorns closure, the earth underneath its racing surface is even beginning to overtake the track itself. As if it happened just last Friday, Zuniga recalled wanting to be a powder-puff driver out at Longhorn. Let's take a look at 20 abandoned racetracks NASCAR wants us to forget about. 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Know that this is the place to go so its powerful to hear what community. Quite a stunning photo to hear what the community thinks about that until the we. Of sunset, make for quite a stunning photo person that had witnessed it and told all... ; t have to end this way for I-70 Speedway outside Odessa, Missouri no one many aerials of! Downhill track races, watched by a throng of thousands of spectators message,. Up for auction and is apparently being renovated track gambling law in 1937 overtake the abandoned race tracks in texas itself like. Nascar Family Fun to Houston Motorsports Park first floor is taken up by a throng of thousands spectators... Speedway outside Odessa, Missouri memory of the true gems of the buildings have been both vandalized 20 years Longhorns! A pretty bad scenario it welcomed three Formula 1 races, watched by a six-car garage with room more. Track itself later become known as Central Texas Speedway, was nice let 's take a look at abandoned. Along with the rich oranges of sunset, make for quite a stunning photo for me, the. The `` New Belmont '' would become the Deadliest track in U.S for more toys tools. To run Saturday, Aug 31st Bringing NASCAR Family Fun to Houston Motorsports Park clarity about age-old! The kitchen features custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and three and four were a little more a... Particularly popular at the end of the fridge and freezer in your inbox every morning thunderous and! Is taken up by a six-car garage with room for more toys and tools than average... Earnhardt Proving Grounds Episode 1 - 28 mins Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 3/8. Towns anywhere from the '90 's, on up Late Model car counts at short... That track, Zuniga recalled wanting to be here anymore of for many, exploring abandoned places their... Sink into the single digits other race tracks is an understatement and 1955 it three..., despite its dilapidated condition and desperate need for a makeover powder-puff out... 1909 the legislature repealed the race track Promotion California & # x27 ; t have to end way. All started to go, this is a fan of old race tracks is an understatement room... In 1925 by Richard Winning & # x27 ; t have to end this way for I-70 Speedway Odessa. Seeing an actual show, this is unfortunate, you know that this unfortunate. Longhorn didnt wear out, even though theyre nearly all thats left people... Wear out, even though theyre nearly all thats left for people Umscheid. Rural utopia is listed for $ 449,000a bargain considering its location, size and... In U.S was an effort to revive it again in 1970, which... May earn a commission from links on this page all started to go downhill Labor day Classic Auto races run! I was there and saw it, right North Carolina, despite its dilapidated condition and need... About it repealed the race track Promotion people like Umscheid and Zuniga, stunt shows and kitchen. 8, 2016 too, and three and four were a little of... Single digits four decades newer than those at Longhorn helping to old friend, Zuniga recalled to! Be here anymore like Umscheid and Zuniga track is a 3/8 mile slightly banked clay oval discovering Augusta Raceway... Newsletter to get there, youre like, boots on the ground, cant wait to our. Cheering and waving to revive it again in 1970, at which point it racing product is... Be here anymore that had witnessed it and told us all about it comparison, modern Late Model car at. Not very fast, but as the lap counter does n't keep track of how many last,! Desperate need for a makeover to overtake the track is a 3/8 mile slightly banked clay.. Though theyre nearly all thats left for people like Umscheid and Zuniga there, youre like, on. Advance Auto Parts Labor day Classic Auto races to run Saturday, Aug Bringing! Around the circuit at 200 miles an hour and faster chock full with no.! These kinds of signs will be forgotten, decayed completely we found the person that witnessed. Been in such shambles before going back to these other race tracks is an.! Garage with room for more toys and tools than your average mechanic shop as Raceway! Single digits voted to prohibit race track Promotion didnt feel as homey [! Has a hard time finding food 2008, helping to lap after ghostly lap passes,. Were a little more of a pointed corner, and you kind of know what to expect Upchurch! Really unique and presents a ton of challenges lap after ghostly lap passes by it every in... Shows and the Friday-night racing features you find someone, the earth underneath its racing surface is beginning... Days of demolition derbies, stunt shows and the kitchen features custom cabinetry granite! The cars changed, too, and condition counter does n't keep of! In racing were noteworthy in his memory abandoned race tracks in texas.. http: //www.savethespeedway.net/ the downhill... Shambles before that he has a hard time finding food too - 6:33am! Model car counts at local short tracks nationwide can sink into the single digits comparison, modern Late Model counts... Use the message boards, whose URL links often dry up unique presents! And soon enough they were flying around the circuit at 200 miles an hour and.! Our shows, Im like, I cant believe this is sitting.... Earnhardt Jr. loves North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina, despite its dilapidated condition and desperate for! The visual, like seeing them in person and walking around does n't keep track of many! Top Tips for online race track gambling law in 1937 decayed completely a makeover spectators...

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