Excitement on Various Racetracks: Ready for Racing or Transformed Beyond Recognition
In February, we reached out for assistance in locating race tracks that have been forgotten over time. The response was overwhelming – our email inboxes were inundated with suggestions shortly after. We now have 10 additional tracks to reveal, each with a fascinating backstory.
Our most recent discoveries include extensive road circuits, local oval tracks on Saturday nights in small towns, and a massive superspeedway that was captured by Google satellites before and during its demolition. This is among the most fascinating (and possibly melancholy) race track images on Google Earth to date.
Numerous tracks are still out there waiting to be uncovered, so please continue sending us your suggestions! Whether you’re in the USA, Canada, or any other part of the globe, we are eager to receive input from you. With that being said, let’s kick off our third virtual road tour of Google racetracks.
Dennis, a reader of Motor1, shared with us this interesting piece of information about an old racetrack. Located in south-central Iowa, this 3.0-mile, 16-turn road course might seem like it could still be in use today. However, according to Racingcircuts.info, it was operational from 1963 to 1967, and its secluded location played a role in its eventual closure. Low spectator turnout and maintenance issues also contributed to its downfall. Nowadays, the site is repurposed for heavy equipment training. Nevertheless, Greenwood Roadway lives on in the virtual world through games such as rFactor and Assetto Corsa.
Motordrome 70 Speedway is located in Smithton, Pennsylvania at coordinates 40°10’30″N 79°43’30″W.
Originally a dirt track, this half-mile oval was established in 1972 before earning NASCAR sanctioning in 1989. Speedway and Road Race History notes that the track was paved at that time. A reader named Tom, who shared this information with Motor1, mentioned that attendance from spectators declined after the pavement was completed. Google Maps images reveal that the track remains in reasonable condition, and upon entering street view, one can see that the entrance is still prominently labeled. Despite this appearance, Tom informed us that the track has been inactive for multiple years and is now utilized by a company specializing in sound barriers.
Just a short drive of 35 miles from Chicago lies the remnants of Illiana Motor Speedway, a track that was in operation for close to seven decades as both a dirt and paved oval. A reader named John from Motor1 recounted his time at the track as a race car driver, participating in races during the 1970s and 1980s. John’s son also raced at Illiana, however, it ceased operations in 2016. The town of Schererville acquired the track with intentions to demolish it and develop the land; by 2021, structures and grandstands had been taken down but the asphalt track remained. Discussions regarding the future utilization of the land were ongoing in 2023, yet the present condition of the track remains unclear.
The site where a golf course now stands used to be the lively Bridgehampton Race Circuit, a 2.8-mile track with 12 turns. Inaugurated in 1957, it held various races including Can-Am, the World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR events. A dedicated website recounts how Mario Andretti once took Paul Newman for thrilling laps in a Mustang. After closing in 1999, the golf course was built, retaining some elements of the original track layout. Thanks to Michael for sharing this fascinating glimpse into racing history.
Is it accurate to describe a track as abandoned if it was never officially completed? This is the situation with Bluegrass Motorsports Park, which started construction in 2008. Despite the fact that the road course, designed by renowned Formula 1 driver Derek Daly, still has an active Facebook page, it never reached the stage of final paving. A video created by GraySpeed Productions indicates that the track stretches over 2.5 miles and, while it appears impressive from satellite imagery on Google Maps, it was left incomplete. The timing of the project coincided with the onset of the major recession in 2009-2010, causing a loss of funding. According to an informant named Dave, the track is currently under private ownership and is not open to the public for use.
Roseburg Speedway is located in Green, Oregon at coordinates 43°09’34″N 123°21’41″W.
Even a small oval track spanning a quarter-mile, which was operational for a short period, deserves recognition. This is the case with Roseburg Speedway, located in the midst of the forests in southwest Oregon. The existence of this racetrack was brought to our attention by Hans, who reminisces about attending races there as a child. According to him, safety precautions were lacking at the venue, and there was an incident where a car veered into the stands. Although Hans recalls this happening in the late 1960s, a Facebook page indicates that the track operated only from 1963 to 1964. Regardless of its brief duration, remnants of the track are still visible in the form of ghostly outlines of trees that once surrounded it.
Dayton Speedway, located in Dayton, Ohio at coordinates 39°43’19″N 84°15’14″W, is the track where all the action takes place.
Finding information about this 0.5-mile oval was a bit challenging. Doug provided us with a general idea of its whereabouts, and an article from the Dayton Daily News completed the picture. Established in 1934, the track was actually slightly longer than half a mile (5/8) and was known for its high speeds. Renowned drivers like Richard Petty and A.J. Foyt raced on this track, but it experienced periods of closure during the 1970s before permanently shutting down in 1982. Unfortunately, it was later transformed into a landfill; however, remnants of the old track can still be seen from above.
If you resided in a housing development that was once a 2.5-mile, 13-turn racing circuit, would you be able to resist the temptation to step on the accelerator near all the houses? Lynndale Farms is a charming neighborhood with streets that trace a significant section of the former track. If you observe closely at the upper right corner of the picture, remnants of that old tarmac can still be seen. Barcboys.com reports that it was operational for only a brief period from 1963 to 1967 before shutting down due to a mix of inclement weather in Wisconsin and complaints about noise from local residents. Big thank you to John for sharing this interesting snippet about the track.
A visit to Wisconsin may be necessary in order to explore the historical tracks that once thrived there. Near Wilmot Mountain ski resort lies a compact 1-mile road circuit that was active during the 1950s and 1960s. According to Barcboys, it was a popular location for various events such as driver schools and SCCA racing. Although it ceased operations in 1967, Motor1 reader Joe mentions that the track has remained largely untouched since then, with even the original buildings still standing.
The remnants of Texas World Speedway are unmistakable when viewed from above. Stretching two miles, it was a significant superspeedway where NASCAR, IMSA, and various other major racing series used to hold events. Additionally, there was a 2.9-mile road course on the site; however, RacingCircuits notes that activities at the track were frequently impeded by inclement weather. Over time, the facility fell into neglect, leading NASCAR to remove it from the schedule in the 1980s, although teams would occasionally utilize the track for testing. Tipster Michael brought to our attention that the track permanently closed in 2017.
The area is being transformed for residential purposes, and by 2024, Texas World Speedway has ceased to exist. Nevertheless, a striking picture from Google Earth depicts the racetrack from two distinct eras, revealing the remnants of the former asphalt blended with mounds of soil from the redevelopment. It’s a melancholy conclusion for one of the scarce superspeedways ever constructed.
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