Heidelberg Raceway
Encyclopedia
Heidelberg Raceway was an American auto racing track which was built in Scott Township, Allegheny County
, approximately 15 miles (24.1 km) southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. It held weekly races and numerous special events between 1948 and 1973. It held four NASCAR
Strictly Stock/Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) and one NASCAR Convertible Division
race between the 1940s and 1960s. In 1960, Heidelberg became the first track to fall off NASCAR's tour. The land is now occupied by a shopping center called Raceway Plaza.
founder Art Rooney
. When horse racing was not legalized in Pennsylvania., the track was converted into a place for autos to compete. The original track was a 1/2 mile dirt track that eventually had a 1/4 mile track cut into its infield. The tracks shared part of a straightaway that existed in front of the main grandstands. Over the final years of the tracks existence, there was also a figure-8 course being used within the quarter-mile section of the track.
The first races happened at the track in May 1948. The first event was almost rained out, but track officials had drivers pilot their race cars around the course, using the heat buildup from the vehicle's tires to dry the track surface. Once the races began, the air became dusty from the cars racing around the track. The Observer-Reporter
interviewed fans after the track closed, and they reported that the air was so dusty that fans could rarely the race cars come down the straightaways. Thursday nights were selected because the Pittsburgh Pirates
Major League Baseball
team had only three Thursday night baseball games that season. Midget cars
were the first weekly series, featuring drivers Jimmy Bryan
, Bill Schindler
, Al Shaffer, and Billy Spear. They raced on the 1/4 mile inner track. Special events featured sprint cars
on the 1/2 mile track. From 1950 until 1953, the track began hosting coupe
racing under NASCAR sanction. In 1954, Ed Witzberger took over promotion of the track, and eventually formed the Pittsburgh Racing Association (PRA) which raced coupes up to five nights per week including Thursday nights at Heidelberg. Other tracks in the association included South Park Speedway, Monduke Speedway, and Clinton Speedway. Chris Economaki
, was the track announcer for special events in the 1950s. The track featured coupes until 1961, then late model
s became the track's main class.
Witzberger had both tracks paved before the 1967 season. At the end of the 1972 season, when track promoter Ed Witzberger and driver Tom Colella could not come to terms on a three year lease, an agreement was reached where Colella would lease the track, for one year, in 1973. The track was permanently closed at the end of the 1973 season. In an interview in 2007, Colella cited the 1973 oil crisis
and urban sprawl
as factors in the decision. Ed Howe won the last race on the track, a 250-lap special event, in 1973. Herb Scott had won more championships at Heidelberg than any other driver with a total of ten season championships.
Nick Garin decided to build a Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pennsylvania
and he purchased many of the components from Heidelberg. He used the bleachers and fence from around the track at the new speedway. The site formally known as Heidelberg Raceway is now "Raceway Plaza"; a shopping strip mall that includes a Walmart, and grocery store. (google maps for cite)
.
, father of NASCAR's winningest driver Richard Petty
, won his first NASCAR race at the track. Petty beat local driver Dick Linder
by five laps. Sara Christian
finished fifth in that first race, and that was the highest finish by a woman driver in the top level of the NASCAR racing until March 5, 2011, when Danica Patrick
finished 4th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
.
At the track's final NASCAR race in 1960, Lee Petty won with his son Richard Petty
finishing second. There would no father-son 1-2 finish until Bobby Allison
beat Davey Allison
at the 1988 Daytona 500
.
Scott Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Scott Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 17,024 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Scott Township is located at ....
, approximately 15 miles (24.1 km) southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. It held weekly races and numerous special events between 1948 and 1973. It held four NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Strictly Stock/Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) and one NASCAR Convertible Division
NASCAR Convertible Division
The NASCAR Convertible Division was a division of convertible cars early in NASCAR's history.-History:NASCAR purchased SAFE 's all-convertible Circuit of Champions “All Stars” circuit late in 1955. Most drivers did not make the transition to NASCAR's sanction. NASCAR ran the division from 1956...
race between the 1940s and 1960s. In 1960, Heidelberg became the first track to fall off NASCAR's tour. The land is now occupied by a shopping center called Raceway Plaza.
History
The track was the brainchild of the original Wrights Sea Food Inn owner, Ike Wright. It was originally constructed between 1947 and 1948 to be used as a horse racing establishment, with help and financial backing by Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
founder Art Rooney
Art Rooney
Arthur Joseph "Art" Rooney, Sr. , often referred to as "The Chief", was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers American football franchise in the National Football League.-Family history:...
. When horse racing was not legalized in Pennsylvania., the track was converted into a place for autos to compete. The original track was a 1/2 mile dirt track that eventually had a 1/4 mile track cut into its infield. The tracks shared part of a straightaway that existed in front of the main grandstands. Over the final years of the tracks existence, there was also a figure-8 course being used within the quarter-mile section of the track.
The first races happened at the track in May 1948. The first event was almost rained out, but track officials had drivers pilot their race cars around the course, using the heat buildup from the vehicle's tires to dry the track surface. Once the races began, the air became dusty from the cars racing around the track. The Observer-Reporter
Observer-Reporter
The Observer-Reporter is a daily newspaper covering Washington and Greene counties in Pennsylvania, with some overlap into the South Hills of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County. The newspaper is published by the Observer Publishing Company in Washington, Pennsylvania....
interviewed fans after the track closed, and they reported that the air was so dusty that fans could rarely the race cars come down the straightaways. Thursday nights were selected because the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team had only three Thursday night baseball games that season. Midget cars
Midget car racing
Midget cars, also Speedcars in Australia, are very small race cars with a very high power-to-weight ratio and typically use four-cylinder engines.-Cars:Typically, these cars have 300 to 400 horsepower and weigh...
were the first weekly series, featuring drivers Jimmy Bryan
Jimmy Bryan
James Ernest Bryan was an American racecar driver. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bryan died as a result of injuries sustained in a champ car race at Langhorne Speedway.-Career:...
, Bill Schindler
Bill Schindler
Bill Schindler was an American racecar driver.He began racing in 1931 in a sprint car. He was racing midget cars on the East Coast of the United States at their introduction in 1934...
, Al Shaffer, and Billy Spear. They raced on the 1/4 mile inner track. Special events featured sprint cars
Sprint car racing
Sprint cars are high-powered race cars designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa....
on the 1/2 mile track. From 1950 until 1953, the track began hosting coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
racing under NASCAR sanction. In 1954, Ed Witzberger took over promotion of the track, and eventually formed the Pittsburgh Racing Association (PRA) which raced coupes up to five nights per week including Thursday nights at Heidelberg. Other tracks in the association included South Park Speedway, Monduke Speedway, and Clinton Speedway. Chris Economaki
Chris Economaki
Christopher "Chris" Constantine Economaki is an American motorsports commentator, pit road reporter, and journalist. Chris Economaki has been given the title "The Dean of American Motorsports." Microsoft chose Economaki to author the auto racing history portion of its Encarta...
, was the track announcer for special events in the 1950s. The track featured coupes until 1961, then late model
Late model
A "late model car" is a car which has been recently designed or manufactured, often the latest model. The term is broadly used in car racing, and often appears in common use, as in "The officer was driving an unmarked, late model sedan."There is no precise...
s became the track's main class.
Witzberger had both tracks paved before the 1967 season. At the end of the 1972 season, when track promoter Ed Witzberger and driver Tom Colella could not come to terms on a three year lease, an agreement was reached where Colella would lease the track, for one year, in 1973. The track was permanently closed at the end of the 1973 season. In an interview in 2007, Colella cited the 1973 oil crisis
1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
and urban sprawl
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
as factors in the decision. Ed Howe won the last race on the track, a 250-lap special event, in 1973. Herb Scott had won more championships at Heidelberg than any other driver with a total of ten season championships.
Nick Garin decided to build a Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pennsylvania
Imperial, Pennsylvania
Imperial is a census-designated place in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,541 at the 2010 census.The CDP is located in North Fayette and Findlay townships.-Geography:Imperial is located at ....
and he purchased many of the components from Heidelberg. He used the bleachers and fence from around the track at the new speedway. The site formally known as Heidelberg Raceway is now "Raceway Plaza"; a shopping strip mall that includes a Walmart, and grocery store. (google maps for cite)
Other notable weekly drivers
- Dick LinderDick LinderRichard "Dick" Linder professional race car driver from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick raced in USAC open wheel division as well NASCAR stock cars. Between 1949 and 1956 he entered 28 NASCAR events, winning three with eight Top 10 finishes...
, NASCAR and USACUnited States Automobile ClubThe United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
driver - Joe Mihalic
- Norm Benning, Jr.Norm BenningNorm Benning, Jr. is a full-time owner/driver. He has competed in the three top touring series of NASCAR, and currently owns and drives the #57 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Camping World Truck Series. Benning is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a business...
, ARCA driver
Tri-State 150
The PRA began hosting the Tri-State 150 as a special event on the 1/2 mile track after the regular season was completed. Winners included Herb Scott (1958), Gus Linder (1959), Joe Mihalic (1963) and Norm Benning, Sr. (1964). Benning said that the race winner won around $3000. "Today that would be nothing," Benning said. "It was big back then. I remember one time we had 186 cars for a weekend race. Heidelberg brought in cars from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana weekly. It was the best track and it paid the most money."Gulf 250
The track later started hosting a second major special event in late October called the Pittsburger 200. When the track was paved, it became the Pittsburger 250. The 250 began attracting pavement drivers from around the United States, including NASCAR driver Bobby AllisonBobby Allison
Robert Arthur Allison is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. His two sons, Clifford Allison and Davey Allison followed him into racing, and both died within a year of each other....
.
NASCAR races
Heidelberg held the seventh event in the first season of NASCAR's Strictly Stock series (now Sprint Cup Series). Lee PettyLee Petty
Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
, father of NASCAR's winningest driver Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series...
, won his first NASCAR race at the track. Petty beat local driver Dick Linder
Dick Linder
Richard "Dick" Linder professional race car driver from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick raced in USAC open wheel division as well NASCAR stock cars. Between 1949 and 1956 he entered 28 NASCAR events, winning three with eight Top 10 finishes...
by five laps. Sara Christian
Sara Christian
Sara Christian was the first woman driver in NASCAR history. Her fifth place finish at Pittsburgh reigned as the highest female finish from 1949 until 2011, when Danica Patrick finished fourth.-1949:...
finished fifth in that first race, and that was the highest finish by a woman driver in the top level of the NASCAR racing until March 5, 2011, when Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, model and advertising spokeswoman. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, being the only woman to win in the IndyCar Series as well as holding the highest finish by a woman at the Indianapolis 500 of 3rd...
finished 4th in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
.
At the track's final NASCAR race in 1960, Lee Petty won with his son Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series...
finishing second. There would no father-son 1-2 finish until Bobby Allison
Bobby Allison
Robert Arthur Allison is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. His two sons, Clifford Allison and Davey Allison followed him into racing, and both died within a year of each other....
beat Davey Allison
Davey Allison
David Carl "Davey" Allison was a NASCAR driver. He was best known for driving the #28 Texaco-Havoline Ford for Robert Yates Racing in the Winston Cup Series. Born in Hollywood, Florida, he was the eldest of four children born to Bobby Allison and wife Judy...
at the 1988 Daytona 500
1988 Daytona 500
The 1988 Daytona 500 was held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader won the pole. The race is best remembered for Richard Petty's spectacular rollover crash in the tri-oval on lap 106, initiated when he was tagged from behind by Phil Barkdoll. Petty rolled over about eight...
.
Strictly Stock/Grand National
| Date | Surface | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| October 2, 1949 | 1/2 mile dirt Dirt track racing Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on oval tracks. It began in the United States before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and 30s. Two different types of racecars predominated—open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock cars in the South... |
Lee Petty Lee Petty Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:... |
| July 15, 1951 | 1/2 mile dirt | Herb Thomas Herb Thomas Herbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:... |
| July 21, 1959 | 1/4 mile dirt | Jim Reed Jim Reed (racer) Jim Reed is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver.-Summary:From 1951 to 1963, Reed has raced 16299 laps - the equivalent of . His total career earnings is $16,299 . Reed's biggest win came in the 1959 Southern 500 driving a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air... |
| July 10, 1960 | 1/2 mile dirt | Herb Thomas Herb Thomas Herbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:... |
NASCAR Convertible Division
| Date | Surface | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| August 19, 1956 | 1/2 mile dirt Dirt track racing Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on oval tracks. It began in the United States before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and 30s. Two different types of racecars predominated—open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock cars in the South... |
Joe Weatherly Joe Weatherly Joseph "Joe" Weatherly was a two-time NASCAR championship driver. Weatherly was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2009 after winning NASCAR's Grand National championships in 1962 and 1963, three A.M.A... |
Raceway Champions
- 1954 - Buddy O'Connor
- 1955 - Dick LinderDick LinderRichard "Dick" Linder professional race car driver from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick raced in USAC open wheel division as well NASCAR stock cars. Between 1949 and 1956 he entered 28 NASCAR events, winning three with eight Top 10 finishes...
- 1956 - Herb Scott
- 1957 - Herb Scott
- 1958 - Herb Scott
- 1959 - Herb Scott
- 1960 - Herb Scott
- 1961 - Don Luffy
- 1962 - Herb Scott
- 1963 - Herb Scott
- 1964 - Herb Scott
- 1965 - Herb Scott
- 1966 - Buddy O'Connor
- 1967 - Herb Scott
- 1968 - Harold Smith
- 1969 - Harold Smith
- 1970 - Jim Bickerstaff
- 1971 - Tom Colella
- 1972 - Ken Hemphill
See also
- Bedford SpeedwayBedford SpeedwayBedford Speedway is a 5/8 mile oval, semi-banked, clay, race track located in Bedford County, near Bedford, Pennsylvania. The track is also known as the historic Bedford Fairgrounds Speedway and is host to the Great Bedford County Fair...
- Eriez SpeedwayEriez SpeedwayEriez Speedway located in Erie, PA, USA is a 3/8 mile dirt oval race track. On July 22, 2007, Eriez Speedway held its first World of Outlaws Late Model Series event which was won by Josh Richards.-See also:* Bedford Speedway...
- Lake Erie SpeedwayLake Erie SpeedwayLake Erie Speedway is a 3/8 mile paved, banked oval race track which opened on June 21, 2002 in Erie County, south of North East, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a member of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Lake Erie Speedway runs six race divisions including Late Models, Modifieds,...
, Erie CountyErie County, PennsylvaniaErie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 280,566. Its county seat is the City of Erie.- Geography :...
, south of North East, PennsylvaniaNorth East, PennsylvaniaNorth East is a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania, northeast of Erie. Fruit growing was an early economic endeavor, and is still to this day, as this is a popular area for especially cherries and grapes. There is an annual Cherry Festival in the summer and an annual in the fall. It contains... - Nazareth SpeedwayNazareth SpeedwayNazareth Speedway was an auto racing track in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania which operated from 1910 to 2004. The track is often associated with local drivers Mario and Michael Andretti. It was associated with Frankie Schneider in its earlier dirt track history....
- Pocono RacewayPocono RacewayPocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...