Lawrenceburg History

Lawrenceburger · 4/30/09, 10:07 PM

My son is doing a term paper in school about the history of the Lawrenceburg Speedway. One of the questions he asked me was how the track came to be. I really don't know and I was born and raised in Lawrenceburg. I had heard along time ago that there was a track at the location where Argosy is now. We used to call that area "the bottoms." Anyone with any info or help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if there's someone he could talk to, that would be great too. He's got some of the paper done already, but he is also really interested in the tracks origin. Any racers from years past with their input would be great for him and me too. lol

Superduke, did you race there in your day? Any good stories or some history maybe?

Thanks

Charles Nungester · 4/30/09, 10:15 PM

I posted a link to some history of the track, As for the original track, I believe it was on the other side of the Dyke. The former Half then quarter I was led to believe was the idea of Dizz Wilson as was Bloomington.

Correct me if Im wrong.
Chuck

Sandy Lowe · 4/30/09, 10:16 PM

Hopefully Keith Wendel sees this thread and can help you out. His username is itsanonwingthing.
He also has a website http://www.queencitymotorsports.com/

Lawrenceburger · 4/30/09, 10:28 PM

Chuck, that sounds right to me. When I was kid, 70's, you could see what looked like the foundation and some steel framing built right on the side of the levy. I asked my mom or dad why that was there and they told me that it was what was left of the old grandstands from the original track, if my memory serves correct. That had to have been a really long time ago.

TheLip2 · 4/30/09, 10:29 PM

Most of the property and location of the current Argosy Casino resides on what was formerly a log mill. (sp. Pierson Howell) It was not the bottoms because it was on the "protected" side of the levee. Never heard of any racing there.

Also, the following link from the Lawrenceburg Speedway website is interesting: http://www.lawrenceburgspeedway.com/track_history.php

Charles Nungester · 4/30/09, 10:33 PM

I believe the old turn one/two guardrail was the original guardrail for the half mile previous as it was mostly a flat track. Watched Staab back a late model (During the Stenger Ford Trial days) into it and the whole turns guardrail fell down. Basically bolted into old burried telephone pole pieces.

Dave Rudisell · 4/30/09, 10:43 PM

Lawrenceburger, I am excited to hear your son is interested in the history of Lawrenceburg Speedway. I like many don't have alot of information of the early days, Keith Wendell has alot of info, and i am sure there are others that will have some imput. If there is anything i can do to help please ask. Thanks, Dave

---------- Post added at 10:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester

I believe the old turn one/two guardrail was the original guardrail for the half mile previous as it was mostly a flat track. Watched Staab back a late model (During the Stenger Ford Trial days) into it and the whole turns guardrail fell down. Basically bolted into old burried telephone pole pieces.

Chuck, I believe there is still part of a catch fence in the back of the pits for the half mile. I may be wrong, but thats what it looks like. Maybe someone can clarify for me.
Thanks, Dave

4/30/09, 10:46 PM

The original track as a part of the fairgrounds dates back to 1910 but racing on the half mile began in June (26th)) 1946 through 5.14 50 and resumed on the half in 1957-59 - The 1/4 mile was built in 1946 and according to Allan Brown weekly racing began on the quarter mile in 1950

Kim Rudisell · 4/30/09, 10:52 PM

The Dearborn County Historical Society has a few pictures around. Also, in one of their Dearborn County History books there is an old picture from 1913 of the front stretch with a packed grand stand. I believe the caption stated that the track used be located almost right across the street....
...anyway...There is a woman named Chris there that is a Dearborn County Historian, and rumored to be a race fan, so if I'm able to track her down contact info, I will let you know!

Kim

Charles Nungester · 4/30/09, 11:04 PM

http://home.fuse.net/kewendel/QCM_TV..._Speedway.html
There is a pic on this page from Keith Wendels site of the old half mile which apears to be in front of the old fairgrounds grandstands 1946-2000. There is also what apears to be a much smaller track inside. We all know that in later years that the quarter morphed into a quarter super speedway. Slightly corrected by Dave and Mel in 2007

4/30/09, 10:15 PM	#2 Re: Lawrenceburg History
Charles Nungester Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Race Count Last Year: 14 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 22,033	I posted a link to some history of the track, As for the original track, I believe it was on the other side of the Dyke. The former Half then quarter I was led to believe was the idea of Dizz Wilson as was Bloomington. Correct me if Im wrong. Chuck __________________ Charles Nungester

4/30/09, 10:33 PM	#6 Re: Lawrenceburg History
Charles Nungester Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Race Count Last Year: 14 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 22,033	I believe the old turn one/two guardrail was the original guardrail for the half mile previous as it was mostly a flat track. Watched Staab back a late model (During the Stenger Ford Trial days) into it and the whole turns guardrail fell down. Basically bolted into old burried telephone pole pieces. __________________ Charles Nungester

4/30/09, 11:04 PM	#10 Re: Lawrenceburg History
Charles Nungester Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Race Count Last Year: 14 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 22,033	http://home.fuse.net/kewendel/QCM_TV..._Speedway.html There is a pic on this page from Keith Wendels site of the old half mile which apears to be in front of the old fairgrounds grandstands 1946-2000. There is also what apears to be a much smaller track inside. We all know that in later years that the quarter morphed into a quarter super speedway. Slightly corrected by Dave and Mel in 2007 __________________ Charles Nungester

4/30/09, 10:07 PM	#1 Lawrenceburg History
Lawrenceburger Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 29	My son is doing a term paper in school about the history of the Lawrenceburg Speedway. One of the questions he asked me was how the track came to be. I really don't know and I was born and raised in Lawrenceburg. I had heard along time ago that there was a track at the location where Argosy is now. We used to call that area "the bottoms." Anyone with any info or help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if there's someone he could talk to, that would be great too. He's got some of the paper done already, but he is also really interested in the tracks origin. Any racers from years past with their input would be great for him and me too. lol Superduke, did you race there in your day? Any good stories or some history maybe? Thanks

4/30/09, 10:16 PM	#3 Re: Lawrenceburg History
Sandy Lowe Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,715	Hopefully Keith Wendel sees this thread and can help you out. His username is itsanonwingthing. He also has a website http://www.queencitymotorsports.com/

4/30/09, 10:28 PM	#4 Re: Lawrenceburg History
Lawrenceburger Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 29	Chuck, that sounds right to me. When I was kid, 70's, you could see what looked like the foundation and some steel framing built right on the side of the levy. I asked my mom or dad why that was there and they told me that it was what was left of the old grandstands from the original track, if my memory serves correct. That had to have been a really long time ago.

4/30/09, 10:46 PM	#8 Re: Lawrenceburg History
psullivan Posts: n/a	The original track as a part of the fairgrounds dates back to 1910 but racing on the half mile began in June (26th)) 1946 through 5.14 50 and resumed on the half in 1957-59 - The 1/4 mile was built in 1946 and according to Allan Brown weekly racing began on the quarter mile in 1950

4/30/09, 10:52 PM	#9 Re: Lawrenceburg History
Kim Rudisell Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 104	The Dearborn County Historical Society has a few pictures around. Also, in one of their Dearborn County History books there is an old picture from 1913 of the front stretch with a packed grand stand. I believe the caption stated that the track used be located almost right across the street.... ...anyway...There is a woman named Chris there that is a Dearborn County Historian, and rumored to be a race fan, so if I'm able to track her down contact info, I will let you know! Kim