Sandusky Speedway
Encyclopedia
Sandusky Speedway is a half-mile automobile race track located south of the city of Sandusky
in Perkins Township
, Ohio
. The track features low banking in the turns and long straightaways. It has a layout similar to Martinsville Speedway
.
Plans for a half-mile dirt track in Sandusky were first drawn up in 1948 by Tommy Warren. In 1950 the Lake Erie Stock Coupe Racing Association (LESCRA) purchased the land and the first race was held on May 14 of that year. Richard Brickly of Willard, Ohio
won the race in a 1932 Ford coupe
and received $103 in prizemoney.
The track was paved over in 1955 and a steel grandstand (replacing the old wooden stands) was added on the front straightaway, increasing the seating capacity from 3,500 to 5,000. The track was resurfaced in 2003.
Sandusky Speedway closed at the end of the 1969 season when the Decker family, then the current owners, elected to shut down the facility. It lay dormant for all of 1970 until a lease agreement was reached allowing the facility to re-open the following year. It has operated continuously since.
The speedway has enjoyed two brief affiliations with NASCAR
in its history. Some NASCAR-sanctioned races were held at the track in 1952 and from 1987 to 1994, Sandusky Speedway ran events in what is now known as the Whelen All-American Series
.
Today, Sandusky Speedway hosts weekly competition in Spectator Stock (an entry level division with four- and six-cylinder passenger cars with automatic transmissions), Street Stock, Sportsman, Modified and Sprint Car
classes. It also serves as an important hub for Supermodified racing, hosting an annual round of the International Supermodified Association (ISMA) Nationals as well as three rounds each year of the Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) championship. The importance of this series is such that Oswego Speedway
in New York - considered the home of Supermodified racing - is closed when the MSA races come to Sandusky. In turn, Sandusky Speedway closes on the weekend of the annual Oswego Classic.
In 2008, the track will host the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series
for the first time.
Sandusky, Ohio
Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east....
in Perkins Township
Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio
Perkins Township is one of the nine townships of Erie County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Sandusky, Ohio metropolitan statistical area...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The track features low banking in the turns and long straightaways. It has a layout similar to Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
.
Plans for a half-mile dirt track in Sandusky were first drawn up in 1948 by Tommy Warren. In 1950 the Lake Erie Stock Coupe Racing Association (LESCRA) purchased the land and the first race was held on May 14 of that year. Richard Brickly of Willard, Ohio
Willard, Ohio
Willard is a city in Huron County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,806. Willard is served by the Willard Memorial Library.-Geography:Willard is located at ....
won the race in a 1932 Ford coupe
Ford Model B (1932)
The Model B was a Ford automobile with production starting with model year 1932 and ending with 1934. It was a much updated version of the Model A and was replaced by the 1935 Ford Model 48...
and received $103 in prizemoney.
The track was paved over in 1955 and a steel grandstand (replacing the old wooden stands) was added on the front straightaway, increasing the seating capacity from 3,500 to 5,000. The track was resurfaced in 2003.
Sandusky Speedway closed at the end of the 1969 season when the Decker family, then the current owners, elected to shut down the facility. It lay dormant for all of 1970 until a lease agreement was reached allowing the facility to re-open the following year. It has operated continuously since.
The speedway has enjoyed two brief affiliations with 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...
in its history. Some NASCAR-sanctioned races were held at the track in 1952 and from 1987 to 1994, Sandusky Speedway ran events in what is now known as the Whelen All-American Series
Whelen All-American Series
The Whelen All-American Series is a points championship for NASCAR sanctioned local racetracks around the United States and Canada....
.
Today, Sandusky Speedway hosts weekly competition in Spectator Stock (an entry level division with four- and six-cylinder passenger cars with automatic transmissions), Street Stock, Sportsman, Modified and Sprint Car
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....
classes. It also serves as an important hub for Supermodified racing, hosting an annual round of the International Supermodified Association (ISMA) Nationals as well as three rounds each year of the Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) championship. The importance of this series is such that Oswego Speedway
Oswego Speedway
The Oswego Speedway is a race track in Oswego, New York. It was built in 1951 and today is an asphalt race track. The track is the Labor Day Weekend home of the 200-lap, non-wing, big-block supermodified Budweiser Classic and Race of Champions...
in New York - considered the home of Supermodified racing - is closed when the MSA races come to Sandusky. In turn, Sandusky Speedway closes on the weekend of the annual Oswego Classic.
In 2008, the track will host the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series
ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series
The ARCA Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series which runs on numerous short tracks throughout the American Midwest, running mainly in Indiana and Ohio. It races Mid-size trucks with V-6 engines unlike the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series which run Full-size trucks with V-8 engines. Most of...
for the first time.