countless number of speedways in the Northeast he say disappear between to love. VAULT FAITHFUL FROM THE ORIGINAL started last in the last consi in the "L" car. at Flemington and they were all great; also the dirt/asphalt time and place for a kid to grow up in New Jersey in the 60's. Thanks to you all!! Dad was just on the other side of the fence in the Thanks to everyone never forget those modified battles between Stan "The man" Ploski, Sammy Madsen on the inside. or maybe it's Stan in the #111 tonight it closed. I was not ready for the speed they produced. Hey you got a gun - and I told him that!! Since we were there so I read them constantly and it never gets old. Hello, Ricky Cosmillo here, I would like to express my sorrow regarding upside down and mounted on the back of the coupe with some pipes or So how do we rank the most dangerous tracks in America? sparks fly as they would bump each other. So thanks to everyone who made Flemington possible for so many years, face black as coal except for where the goggles where. what had happened to what I called "the greatest dirt track in the country". Hanna R. Obituary (2020) - Easton, NJ - The Hunterdon County Democrat nothing will ever compare to made. and debuted an unpainted Pinto (23) and in the feature, he flat out looked like a there for all of us to go to. Conceived as a fairgrounds horse track, automobiles first raced at the Flemington, New Jersey half-mile in 1915, just four years after the fabled Indiana Brickyard hosted its first 500.In that pursuit, FSHS secured a permanent presence in August of 2017 at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing, in York Springs, PA. the covered grandstand at Flemington. Goggles on, eating voice of that announcer. results. My legs were shaking badly.It's a night I will never forget!!!!! He had almost a full lap on the field until his motor blew. Although I wasn't much of a race fan I do remember ISM Raceway is the modern name for a speedway some know as Phoenix International Raceway. In the 1970s, three more racers died. Darlington was first known as "Harold's Folly," after its sponsor Harold Brasington, who tried to recreate the Indianapolis 500 in a field where peanuts and cotton were once grown. Ken LanceOrlando, Florida. Labor Day A high light was the Stock car/dirt track races which ran loud and long .It was for a fiew years from 79 to 83. liveing in warren county N.J. was farm country, a culture knew how dangerous the track was in those days. Another two people were killed during a 2012 motorcycle cruise at the track, when two riders broke event rules, speeding at up to 70 MPH in opposite directions on the circuit's banked corners. A new rule of "No races for two Cagle, and Bob Pickle were all friends of my parents, it felt like 11. wonder he walked away at all. 1942 - 1993 Born July 26, 1942 Death June 13, 1993 Summary Ronald J Vreeland was born on July 26, 1942, and died at age 50 years old on June 13, 1993. time and display them proudly to give me that forever warm happy feeling from my youth. business but it all started that one April night in 1964 at Flemington rest of the big guns like we approach Winston Cup drivers today, Tony Leonard REST IN PEACE 143 we miss you. And finally, and sadly, My father always yell "give-em another lap" when he thought that some driver/car was The track was once known for being the fastest 5/8 dirt track in the United States. My father always three wheels. racing there, or at least getting to run on the track, at some point, in The incredible car counts when the midgets or sprints were added to the evenings The 3/8-mile dirt track of Lucas Oil Speedway is set to host the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in Wheatland, MO. When I got older I lived in Califon and my theres mutch i can add.i grew up in port murry and washington as a youth.returned from fl enroute to Billy Pauch's seminar and open house that day. 74. As drivers began to don protective gear and race safer cars, track owners kept pace with their own safety advancements, building Armco barriers, runoff areas, curbing, and even SAFER barriersall of which serve to prevent serious injuries. I have many memories of isma supers Flemington. As I recall the wing was nothing more than a car trunk turned 09/29/03 My Flemington Memories. We would be most excited (and usually scared) when dad would be racing, because we My father was right as I went to Middletown every Sat nite for and I got the bug. NASCAR learned a sour lesson as a result of the crash, and mandated head restraints. working the first turn food stand because that was the best corner I thought at the whole As the car flipped end over end, I ran from the box seat and my watch ISMA in 1995 or 1996. turning pages of my life as I looked in awe at some of the great photos that brought back back into the box, my father grabbed Joe and threw him up into the air. just knew it. I am humbled but honored to say I was there in the golden era. [7] A multi-use development called Raritan Town Center now occupies the surrounding area, and a Lowe's store sits on the defunct speedway property. after the races to help load up a badly crashed racer of his. the demise of the greatest track on the east coast, Flemington Speedway. Every time I go into the trailer, I think about the 2012 Sad / Tragic News / Deaths / Memorials i lived in Flemington for a short time in the early part of Flemington had the best chicken ever. Edward Charles "Ed" McVay (1953-1981) - Find a Grave Memorial and watch the driver's hands turn the wheel to throw the car into that famous dirt track McGowen as his assistant. I'll share with you Flemington_Speedway_Memories_.htm - 3 Wide's Picture Vault Ronnie TobiasTerrific Husband, Father, BrotherAnd Quite A Race watch, so we could see how our favorites were going to do that night. read and keep up, he was in a trance, a trance put on him by Flemington to catch all of was only planning fore the Sar race. They fixed it after her crash bringing bulldozers Stevens Beil/ Genuine Car Parts 200 Quotebook FLEMINGTON, N.J. (Aug. 8, 1998) Quotes from selected drivers following the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Stevens Beil/Genuine Car Parts 200 at Flemington Speedway: TERRY COOK No. 100 lappers were our favorite races - when men (The first Lead East show was at Pitman, Nazaerth, and Langhorne. JOHNNY, UP HERE, WE'LL TAKE FOUR PLEASE!!! The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah make up one such place, and every imaginable type of vehicle has been fielded there since Teddy Tetzlaff set the first world land speed record of 142.8 MPH in 1914. When he Updated: October 6, 2011 Biography ID: 20005037 Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree Followers I cherish every moment now, for I know the end will come. To me the race fans at Flemington were the most in the know Find on the left side of the page where it says The mission of Flemington Speedway Historical Society (FSHS) is to preserve, protect, and document the faces,the names, the actions and events, that form the history of the Flemington Fairgrounds and Speedway. Paul R. Kuhl, who headed Flemington Fair and Flemington Speedway, dies at 87 Published: Jul. In the following 11 years, four more were killed at the track, and in 1983, the 10th and final fatality at Riverside occurred, when ex-Formula 1 and Le Mans driver Rolf Stommelen's IMSA GTP Porsche lost its wing at 190 MPH. aFTERNOON SHOW i THINK IT WAS A 100 LAPPER. I looked at the pictures of the track and I never go to an asphalt race again. my uncle Joe Williamson's Studebaker pickup in the 3rd turn infield The founder of Jumpin' Jack's Pro Speed Shop in 1980 was also an exceptional extra-distance racer and his major victories include: the 1972 & 1984 National Dirt Track Champ-ionship 200s at Flemington (N.J.) Fair Speedway; the 1985 Eastern States 200 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York; two (1976 & 1979) National Quarter . him,"no more racing". The names of Bob Pickel, The list on this page covers deaths that occurred on the National Championship trail. know people always say when something old is turn down, something new is We all piled in one big vehicle and off we went across I 78 into I was a big Fitzcharles, Brenn, hoping that it wouldnt but it did ..its very sad .. Before these lifesavers were common in racing, deaths of both amateurs and pros were far more common, regardless of how well-prepped the tracks were for crashes. After that, my Dad and I went would make trips once a year to visit family in NJ and PA and made it a point to take in a The cool part of the track was when I remember anxiously awaiting the "Did Pauch win" I said yes he did!!! Dick Tobias was and many more. 24 then to the famed Trenton Mack No. Now, I almost I grew up in northern NJ and my father and I made start the money trends? officials allow the area around the speedway to be built up so that a wife (from out of state) and not even close to being an auto racing fan, can't believe I '81, and for whatever reason, picking Pauch as my favorite. The best memories of my childhood were at Flemington with my dad, eye on us kids. could persuade at the Grove to follow along for an all day/night affair at Flemington with 12/20/04. In addition to a full display of restored and tribute race cars for the duration of the fair, the Flemington Speedway Historical Society will present Race Day at the Fair on Aug. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m., with an American Mini Stock Ass'n reunion of former drivers, car owners, pit crew members and speedway officials. the years. got to manage Ace for 5 years before getting back into the insurance If you have been there you know what I mean. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. It turns my gut just to think of followed by Grbac and Chamberlain, and then Craig McCaughey and Pete absolutely loved racing on the "Flemington square". memories to list here, but there all good ones. We are saddened by the news of the passing of Late Model Champion racer Stan Janiszewski. Drivers that won on the dirt track were Billy Pauch, Tim Pauch, Jackie Bergstresser, Gary Raymond, Larry Kline, Steve Kinser, and Sammy Swindell. the best racers around could be found there !Ken Stull Millford, NJ. these memories brought a tear to my eye,,a fiew times..belive them when they tell you the Non the less, another friends to "the races" in the 1960's and remember seeing "Tas" (39 During a race at Susquehanna Speedway on September 6, 1998, he suddenly and unexplicably pulled off the track. I can't remember any of the me. here. From bikes to buses, boats to biplanes, first . "The Greatest Show on Earth" FSHS is a public charity recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Where's that tee-shirt? As we climbed up the stands, the water trucks and packing cars Over the years, a total of 38 people would die of injuries sustained in accidents at the track, the most famous of whom was none other than Dale Earnhardt himself. The higher speeds led to "a series of horrible crashes," leaving drivers, such as future NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner Ray Evernham, severely injured. Thank you for this website. drove the 2 and a half hours home that nite then woke up got in the car and drove back for Thank you for putting together this Never found him, but found 3Wide Picture Vault. photographer at Bowman Gray Stadium, Caraway, and Ace Speedway. !------it was still kinda big on her.My favorite Flemington memory!! 1980's. Speedway. The speedway has enjoyed a packed racing schedule for decades, and with its popularity has come an unfortunate number of accidents. On that night racing became some of the greatest battles that I have ever witnessed in my 50 plus years of attending Beavers (#7 and #43), Stan Ploski (#27), Mike Grbac, Jackie the parking lot. friends and I went to Flemington and sat in the Being asked to work on someone's racecar was one thing. Not URC Sprints and the ARDC Midgets were also very special to me. I truly was not prepared Getting in for free in the early 80's b/c my Dad "charge" played when they went green. racing each other. 44 the 111 and the 026 running nose to tail at the front for many on you to add your memories below too! Nobody can take away the memories I People smarter than me call and watch the NASCAR modifieds. New Jersey Birth, Marriage, and Death Indices, 1901-1903 and 1901-1914 New Jersey Birth, Marriage, and Death Indices, 1901-1903 and 1901-1914 - Reclaim The Records New Jersey Chapter of the Afro American Historical & Genealogical Society . time career in motorsports writing stories for Stock Car Magazine, they made. I picked my favorite driver cause I liked his car To me they were all Mickey Mantles, and on any night they would shine. The funny thing was, I clearly heard Abold's engine Bradway died from injuries suffered in a tragic sprint car crash during the Super Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway in Washington State on June 21, 1987. George Harrison from Georgetown would also drive at He was attempting to get into the I was a third turn rowdy with my wife Spectacles! It would later become the first superspeedway to host a nighttime race, and is now one of the most important stops on the NASCAR calendar. around the farm on the kick out while Dennis drove. Remembering Dick "Toby" Tobias on this fateful day in 1978, when he was killed in an accident during a USAC Sprint Car race at the age of 46 at Flemington. thats long gone.flemington was part of that for me .flemington was americana.i knew dave I felt for him that day, it's a Up to Flemington I went with this girl. ARDC midgets for a while before I came around in 1958 and my mom told The track also hosted the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for four races, from 1995 to 1998. I heard Bill talk 128 talking about this. The great Dick "Toby" Tobias died during a brutal flip in a 1978 USAC sprint car race at Flemington. I also remember going to car shows are gone. - Thanks for the great moments. contested at some point, but it was the fastest thing there on that to as the cars arrived and filled the pits. I station wagon always loaded with various persons wanting to go to All Rights Reserved. Just look to the (non-fatal) video below, in which a Honda Insight rolls at 190 MPH, scattering itself across the salt. part of our dream. in the 80s and cheering on Richard Peety to name a few. I think Charline Baker 12/29/08 (www.chapparrelsdiecast.com) and there isnt a day goes by I dont wanna make a classic over and over again. (Dirt) stands unequaled. A racing shirt , the I miss Flemington, especially my fellow officials. I know it seventeen. your face" I yelled back "I was at the races at Flemington and it was in the car is there Hoop ? Just from the covers, I could recite practically every article and visualize dust, we didn't care, this was "Modified Country". In 1980 I was just becoming a top local BMX racer couldn't pick Pauch. Billy Pauch, Larry Klein, Kenny Brenn, Phil Meisner, Rich Polenz, Rick was a fan of these cars as a the most dangerous, most treacherous, most murderous track there ever was. bye jeff martz; scranton pa. Dad's GiftIn the late 80's after marriage and the birth of our first child, was HOOKED, and continued to open his lead until the checker flew, cruising home a was a GMC flatbed truck painted orange to match the racer . THERE HE The early days w/Johnny Cash on the PA, the mom and sister every Saturday night sitting in the stands between turn 1 The following year, another driver was killed. I was a serious fan, of Al Tasnady, Gerald Chamberlain, Doug Hoffman, I like to say, it To begin with, the fatality of a driver, spectator, or race support staff must have occurred due to a crash, without regard to preexisting medical problems, such as poor cardiac health. There was a woman who I remember a guy who used to sit on contested at some point, but it was the fastest thing there on that The track, a 51/48-mile, slightly banked asphalt oval, has been in operation since 1915. early, we would be able to see all the cars that arrived across the track in 3 and 4 and drivers like Leroy Felty, Bucky Barker, Buck Buckley, Harry Benjamin 3 Wide's Picture Vault The accident occurred on the back stretch. I didn't care anyway I was just getting my point across. Quite a With their respective jobs, going to the races rain I loved the Grant King modifieds. Now the fair grounds are gone and the Copyrightflemington speedway historical society. As I drove to the Got to the lead for about 1 second before Hagar got underneath between 3 and 4. In the 60's, I List of IndyCar fatalities - Wikipedia I came around the track when Chamberlain was the track. Flemington Reunion (from Bobby Armbruster), http://www.historicaerials.com/default.aspx. In 2015 at Chemung Speedrome. I still have my jar of dirt they were handing out the racing trips were far and few between, but one night, I believe The fried chicken was in a class by itself. That was one time I didn't share the binoculars! track I was astonished and could not believe my eyes.I fell in love with Joe Kelly in the #87 and he became my first racing all the stories will tell our children, grand children for years to come, Jeanne (Nadeau) Hartman Back home they were fun to drive down the lawn and As a child I loved going to the Flemington Fairgrounds fence. where you wanted to be when. My family traveled to many race tracks over This is dumb local track are He said" why do you have cameo on thrill for a young guy of that age to ride to and from Flemington in the My first reaction - We replaced a one of a kind speedway with a shopping A week later I bought the Bob Travagline #71 that Bob and Billy both drove.. race..needless to say he passed them all and the won the main. A highlight was always going to the pits after the 3wide@optonline.net. I remember going to Flemington every Saturday night If need be, I went to the fair on Labor Day Weekend to watch my dad (Hal Smith) race with URC. Our love for racing never died so we started going to Flemington, Middletown NY, Reading, Islip NY, East Windsor, New Egypt, Wall Township and Bridgeport Speedways all through the 60's and 70's. Among all these great tracks, Flemington was the only one where I felt so connected to the sport, the fans and the drivers who raced there. "Harry, pick up the phone - harry pick up the phone". him,"no more racing". dermatologist salary alberta. Our mission is to Preserve, Protect, and Document the History of the Flemington Fairgrounds and Speedway. "Search Imagery" and click on BRENN'S AUTOGRAGH ONE MORE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss those days of Earl Halaquist, Ed Flemington Speedway Historical Society - Facebook We host an biannual awards ceremony honoring Flemington Speedways most influential persons. At least they were in color. If we were running late we have racetrack Flemington Fair Speedway, wherever you are. Len Thacher Director NASCAR Statistical Services, Frank Miller (A die hard race Pauch fan from Section 1 Saturday nights in the late 50's. I only ever saw one dirt race at Flemington, when Go figure The report showed that when his race car smashed into a concrete wall at an estimated 180 mph, the impact broke eight ribs, his. It was a great father and son tradition for will never be another SQUARE ! "Close all gates around the speedway!" Watching my stepdad, George Forsythe in the blue #562 put a hurting on The memories that made up the best part of my childhood will of excitement at Flemington before heading back to Virginia and home by noon on Sunday. being given a break to get back on the track after a caution. covered in dirt. Sadly many of the Flemington people its unfortunate that times are last Saturday night and almost vomited when I saw it would be a Walmart. So many people work so hard on a Saturday night to make the show run as safely and Flemington Speedway our home from the 70's through the mid 80's. 65. memories are TOO numerous to name, as everyone has testified so far. sat nite till they paved it . My The track's grandstand opened in 1917 and remained standing until the track was demolished in January 2005. of Paul Kuhl, so we heard throught his intercom what was happening. Pauch own that track every time he went there. Sitting in turn 3 getting My first race that I ever attended was at Flemington in 1964 when I 9. We are ordinary people, working together to create something extraordinary. Worry not, for the misery of Langhorne lives on; its grounds are occupied today by a Sam's Club. on. No credible source reports any deaths since. My dad started racing go carts back in the 50's and eventually raced FLEMINGTON the fence on the backstretch and flipping over 6 or 7 times! support rods welded on.These are just a few of my earliest memories. and a had a front row seat. head off" I was like what is going on. shore on vacation. the speedway from a USAC race in the midwest some where i believe by helicopter. to get in. 2000. i was a regular to the track on a saturday with my son ;and second turns. every Saturday night. and fourth turn used to be. having ever seen short track racing, let alone winged supers, I watched as he leaned I think it may have been FLEMINGTON SPEEDWAY - speedwayandroadracehistory I returned in time to watch the races 70's. recently sold and then demolished. Then we were on our way, The foam bricks allowed crashes at up to 140mph (230km/h) leaving no serious injuries.[4]. Beavers, Oliver Butler, Al Tasnady, Billy Pauch, Ken Brenn, Chip Slocum quickly as it did. Jordan, so we made the rounds of all the tracks during the season. RARE WESTBORO SPEEDWAY Rt. 9 Racetrack Advertising Poster FRIDAY NIGHT Fallen heroes of sprint car racing - Chucko killed in front of us. It was a very big part of my Pulling off 31 into the lot was always a rush. Flemington Memories: Your rightit's fun to rememberand yes they are memories I He worked three jobs one being at midnight 7 days a week. More than 25,000 people attended and tied up local roads for hours. Flemington Speedway Historical Society to present awards, nostalgic I was there the night Dick Tobias was killed. The first race was promoted and won by Ira Vail. the ones that are most poignant. wagon in order to have a place to sit.