LaSalle Speedway
Encyclopedia
The LaSalle Speedway is a 1/4 mile dirt track racing speedway founded in 1947 and located in LaSalle, Illinois.
operated at the site. The final showing
was Herbie Rides Again
on November 13, 1973.
In December 1991, word spread of another dirt track speedway at the exact same site as the original. It was to be called the LaSalle Speedway and built by Izzo Construction, Inc., a local construction owned by Tom Izzo, the man who bought the land. LaSalle Speedway opened in summer 1992 with a soap box derby car race. Seating was expanded in 2005 from 250 to over 1,000.
, Sawyer Brown
, and Trick Pony
, have each made the speedway a temporary music venue. NASCAR
star Kasey Kahne
raced a 20 lap race against amateur racers in 2010.
History
In 1947, the LaSalle Speedway was founded as the Tri-City Speedway. It closed after only six races due to low interest. For two years, a cow milking center operated in the spot. Starting in 1951, a Drive-in theaterDrive-in theater
A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
operated at the site. The final showing
was Herbie Rides Again
Herbie Rides Again
Herbie Rides Again is a 1974 comedy film. It is the sequel to The Love Bug, released six years earlier, and the second in a series of movies made by Walt Disney Productions starring an anthropomorphic 1963 Volkswagen racing Beetle named Herbie...
on November 13, 1973.
In December 1991, word spread of another dirt track speedway at the exact same site as the original. It was to be called the LaSalle Speedway and built by Izzo Construction, Inc., a local construction owned by Tom Izzo, the man who bought the land. LaSalle Speedway opened in summer 1992 with a soap box derby car race. Seating was expanded in 2005 from 250 to over 1,000.
Famous races
LaSalle Speedway is the site of the Lucas Oil Road To Knoxville Spring Shootout, World of Outlaw Sprint Car races, AMA action (American Midgetcar Association), and ARCA Truck Racing.Celebrity appearances
Toby KeithToby Keith
Toby Keith Covel , best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. Keith released his first four studio albums — 1993's Toby Keith, 1994's Boomtown, 1996's Blue Moon and 1997's Dream Walkin, plus a Greatest Hits package for various divisions of...
, Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown is an American country music band founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by five members of country pop singer Don King's road band: Bobby Randall and Jim Scholten , both from Midland, Michigan; Joe Smyth , Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard , and Mark Miller...
, and Trick Pony
Trick Pony
Trick Pony was an American country music group. It was formed in 1996 by Keith Burns , Ira Dean , and Heidi Newfield . The group recorded three studio albums: Trick Pony, On a Mission and R.I.D.E., released in 2001, 2002 and 2005, respectively...
, have each made the speedway a temporary music venue. 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...
star Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kenneth Kahne is a NASCAR driver. He drives the #5 Farmers Insurance Group Chevrolet Impala for Hendrick Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series....
raced a 20 lap race against amateur racers in 2010.