We all know that motorsports are a big part of American culture. Kids love cars and racing, and it’s easy to see why. The cars are exciting to watch, there are plenty of opportunities to be involved, and the chances of getting injured are minimal. This is especially true of NASCAR, where auto racing was born. Unfortunately, this also means that auto racing is incredibly popular, and that there are many auto racing events to choose from. This can make it difficult for new fans to find the one they like, and for old fans to find the one that speaks to them. This article is going to tell you about one of the most popular racing events, and how you can make it easier for fans to find the one that suits them.
The History Of The Speedway
If you’ve never heard of the Pennsboro Speedway, then please go watch a few NASCAR races online. The short answer is that the speedway is one of the most popular auto racing tracks in the United States of America. It first hosted a NASCAR race back in the 1930s, and it has been a major stop on the NASCAR schedule ever since. The track mostly hosts midget car races and sprint car races in the summer, and it is one of the most famous short tracks in the country. If you’ve never been there, then you’re in for a treat because it’s well worth a visit. The following is a brief history of the speedway.
Early Years
The speedway was initially built in 1929, and it originally stood for Pennsylvania State University. Due to World War II, construction was halted for several years, and it wasn’t until 1947 that the track was completed. At the time, it was the largest oval track in America, and it seated up to 40,000 spectators. In the early days, the track was nicknamed the “Grand Amphitheater” because of its grandstands and its reputation for great sound and lighting. These days, the track’s name is usually shortened to “Speedway”, and it is rumored that the track’s current owner, Richard Childress, added the “Inc” to the name in the 1960s to increase revenue.
The NASCAR Scene
Since the early days of NASCAR, the main form of the sport has remained relatively the same. There are occasional rule changes, but the majority of the elements are based on the stock car racing of the 30s and 40s. This is one of the reasons why the speedway is so popular today. Not only does it host one of the best races in America, but it also offers a nostalgia trip for older fans who grew up during that time period. If you love cars and racing, then this is the spot to be. A few examples of the races held at the speedway are listed below.
- The First Sprint Car Race In America (1930)
- The World’s Fastest Garage – A Half-Million Dollars Worth Of Spare Parts (1932)
- The SnowStorm Of ’67: The Great Northern Michigan Winter Storm Of 1967 (1967)
- The Biggest, Loudest, Shiniest Racing Event That Never Should Have Happened (1969)
- A Real Tricky Situation (1974)
- Iron Cowboy’s 400 (1977)
- Gems From The Past (1988)
Each year, the speedway has one of the largest pre-race fan fairs around. The festival features food, games, and activities for the whole family. It also hosts a variety of racing machines, from traditional midget cars to more modern supercars. For those who like to follow the action from the sidelines, the speedway has one of the best grandstands in the country. This year, they’re even expanding on the pre-race side. The track will have inflatable castles available for kids to sleep in, and there will be lots of food and drink carts. It should be a grand celebration of cars and racing.
Midget And Sprint Car Races
Back in the day (and I use that phrase lightly), the speedway mainly hosted midget and sprint car car races. Over the years, the tracksize has changed quite a bit. Back in the 1940s and 1950s, the cars were much smaller. They usually had a whole engine in the front, and they were only a few feet long. These days, midget cars stand about four feet tall, and they’re only a few feet long. They’re still mostly based on stock cars from the 30s and 40s though. The following are some of the most famous midget and sprint car races that have taken place at the speedway:
- The Midget Races (1930s-1950s)
- The Grand Army Of The Republic Midget Race (1934)
- Laurence Maroney’s Midget Record (1935-1936)
- Tiny Timmarf’s Monster Midget Record (1936)
- Lee Reitz’ Big City Midget Race (1938)
- Lennie Pond’s Midget Race (1938)
- The Snowy Hawkins Invitational Midget Race (1938)
- The Snowflake Midget Race (1938)
- The Burt Keenan Midget Champ (1938)
- The Elmo Langley Midget Championship (1939-1941)
- The Shorty Pruitt Midget Champ (1940-1941)
- Ralph Thomas’s Talladega Midget Championship (1940)
- Dale Earnhardt’s Junior Midget Championship (1940)
- Chick Harbert’s One-of-a-Kind Midget Champion (1941)
- Johnny Davis’ Yankee Midget Championship (1941)
- Dick Johnson’s High Banks Midget Race (1942)
- Dickie Beauvais’ Roadrunner Midget Race (1943)
- The World’s Most Famous Short Track (1946)
- The Michigan State Fair Midget Championship (1946)
- Jimmy Snow’s One-of-a-Kind Midget Race (1946)
- Bob Vandergriff’s All-Star Midget Race (1947-1949)
- Mitch McGrew’s Monster Hunter Midget Race (1947)
- Elvis Presley’s Monster Midget Race (1948)
- The Biggest, Loudest Midget Race Of All Time (1949)
- Herschel McGrath’s All-American Midget Race (1949)
- The Biggest, Loudest, Shiniest Sprint Car Race That Never Should Have Happened (1969)
The Grandstand And Pit Stall Area
Another area of the speedway that hasn’t changed much is the grandstands and the pit stalls. This is mainly because they’re considered essential parts of the racing experience. The grandstands are usually situated in the far reaches of the racetrack, behind the third turn. Depending on the size of the field, there will be anywhere from 20 to 25 rows of seats. The rest of the track features several picnic areas, and there are also many trees for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle. Behind the grandstands is a maze of pit stalls, where the crews and the equipment are housed. These days, the pit stalls are built with security in mind. There are usually steel doors leading into the area, and the inside of the stalls are lined with benches. The following are some of the most famous and historical places where you can find a scenic view of a NASCAR race: