Cleveland was arrested in June 1951 and again in September that year for violating New York's Sunday Blue Law. The law, which dated back to 1788, allowed specific sports and recreational activities on Sundays, but not stock car racing. Cleveland intended to protest the law by using his arrests as a legal test case, but was found not guilty by jury in both instances.[4][5]
In a separate proceeding in New York State Supreme Court, Cleveland sought an injunction prohibiting police from enforcing the blue law. Although the court denied the injunction, Cleveland's efforts prompted the New York State legislature to lift the ban on Sunday stock car racing, as well as circuses, hunting and golf.[6][7] Specifically, the law empowered local communities to authorize additional Sunday activities.[8]
The Town of Naples considered such an ordinance in the spring of 1952, but refused to allow Cleveland to continue speedway operations.[3][9]