Re: Evansville Speedrome
 

I'll ask my dad on Thanksgiving about Pride and the Speedrome. We lived 4 miles north of the track on Green River Rd. and my dad took my brother and myself to the track a few times. I mainly remember wheels always flying off of the jalopies. I was born in 1954 so I was pretty young when we went. I remember a totally wooden covered grandstand with it's back to Green River and you entered the parking lot off of Green River. Arnie Knepper would run his midget there and dad was a big fan of his. I'll hopefully have more info tomorrow. Fifth mile sounds right. Some guys on here would know about St. Joe Speedway on St. Joe Ave. north of Diamond Ave. That was before my time.

Re: Evansville Speedrome
 

Yes, Ron Gerhardt's dad did own part of it and ran it. He would be the one to ask for the details.

Re: Evansville Speedrome
 

My dad always talks about the old ST Joseph Speedway that was on N ST Joseph Ave in north/ west side of Evansville in the county. He has some old 8mm film and pictures from there.

Re: Evansville Speedrome
 

I've been researching the history of auto racing in Evansville and the Tri State area for about the last year and a half. We have compiled a ton of info, stats, results and other info from tracks in Evansville and the Tri-State from 1900-1946 so far. We hope to put all of the info in book form when we finish, but we would love to add pictures of the tracks and cars. Pictures prior to 1950 are pretty scarce, but we do have some. If anybody would like to donate scans of pictures, please don't hesitate to contact me. We are trying to preserve racing history in this area before its lost forever.

Re: Evansville Speedrome
 

Originally Posted by ivanjerome88:
I've been researching the history of auto racing in Evansville and the Tri State area for about the last year and a half. We have compiled a ton of info, stats, results and other info from tracks in Evansville and the Tri-State from 1900-1946 so far. We hope to put all of the info in book form when we finish, but we would love to add pictures of the tracks and cars. Pictures prior to 1950 are pretty scarce, but we do have some. If anybody would like to donate scans of pictures, please don't hesitate to contact me. We are trying to preserve racing history in this area before its lost forever.

Are you the Ivan Jerome of TSS Late Model Fame from back in the day?

My uncle, Herb Claridge, owned a car that raced there.They called it diamond 4,I believe Don Jackson drove it but it was before my time (just barely)

Re: Evansville Speedrome
 

Yes I am. I ran out of cubic dollars and researching the history is cheaper, lol

Re: Evansville Speedrome
 

There were a ton of race tracks just in Evansville alone before WWII (7), plus all of the other tracks in the Tri State area. Some only lasted one race, others lasted a bit longer. We've found sound wild stories of shaddy promoters skipping town with the gate money right after the races started, drivers stealing the gate money after the races, and even a sheriff hell bent on shutting down all of the racing in Evansville.

I'll buy a copy when your done Ivan.

I live on N st Joe ave about 5 miles north of diamond.... If any of you have pics or video of the old St Zjoe speedway, please post! I grew up a block off St Joe and had no idea till this thread!