Speedway Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LocationJacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Coordinates30°18′05″N 81°44′42″W / 30.301316°N 81.745083°W / 30.301316; -81.745083
Capacity~5,000
Opened1947
Speedway Park
Aerial photograph of Speedway Park (1952)
LocationJacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Coordinates30°18′05″N 81°44′42″W / 30.301316°N 81.745083°W / 30.301316; -81.745083
Capacity~5,000
Opened1947
Closed1973
Major eventsNone (defunct)
Dirt oval track
Length0.500 miles (0.805 km)

Speedway Park was a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt, oval, auto racing track, located in Jacksonville, Florida. [1]

It was built in 1946 by Eddie Bland on land belonging to the family farm and later came to be known as Jacksonville Speedway after it was sold in 1954. [2]

Opened in 1947, the track was located at the intersection of Lenox Avenue and Plymouth Street in southwest Jacksonville.[3] NASCAR Grand National Series races were held at the track during the 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1961 and 1964 seasons.[4] The final Grand National Series race at the track was won by Wendell Scott, the first African-American to win in NASCAR's top series.[5]

In addition to auto racing, the track hosted the Duval County Exposition.[6] The NASCAR Grand American Series also competed there.[7] After a final NASCAR Grand National East Series race in 1972 won by David Pearson,[4] the track was closed in 1973; a housing development now stands at the site.[8]

References

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