Lawrenceburg History
 

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

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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.

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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.

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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 ----------

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

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

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

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

I don’t have any further info on the old Fairgrounds race track that was across the street. I have seen the old picture of the grandstands, and have heard that part of the concrete foundation is till there? I have never made it to the Dearborn County Library, but do know that they have some info & pictures in the old newspaper archives that they have. Chris McHenry would be the contact at the library/Historical Scociety, I believe she is the grandmother of L’Burg stock car racer Shane McHenry. Sounds like a great school project for a young race fan.
Rumor is, that if you look closely in the old 1913 grandstand picture, you will see a young Marv Fish seated under the "A"!;)

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

Im glad Marv don't get mad, He gets even. Your all the way in G before he's done with you :)

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

Chris is indeed my grandmother and would be a great resource for this project. I believe that she is at the Historical Society every afternoon.

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

Chuck, when I took over the track in 1980, there was nothing but the bare wooden posts stuck in the ground around turns 1 and 2. I bought some used guardrail from a friend and tied those posts together, with that guardrail, so that they wouldn't wind up inside the roll cage should a sprinter flip over into them. Those posts weren't very deep at all and served no purpose, that I could see, other than being an extreme hazard to a crashing sprint car.

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

Good moved Craig. I can also remember as a Kid (Early 70s) a LM or mod of the time comming thru the fence and hitting some people near the old concession, Not the one on the end of the stands but the Burger and dogs building. Just beyond where the old gate was that only opened two feet.

Anyone got any info on that? Dad just steered me around the injured to protect me I guess.

Re: Lawrenceburg History
 

You are all missing one of the best sources of information concerning the Lawrenceburg Speedway. The one and only Marvin Q. Fishburger. He has seen more action from Section A than most all race fans anywhere. Keith, I also looked at the picture from 1913 and I agree that has to be Marv right there in his normal seat. I think he also had what looks like a Pepsi in his hand.:19::14::15::5: