I just found out that one of the few remaing local tracks is done after this year. I grew up with my dad taking me to watch circle track races all around the area. One by one they are all disappearing. Santa Fe Speedway, Raceway Park (est. 1938), Crown Point Speedway (as of this year) and now Illiana Motor Speedway. Illiana has been racing since the war ended, and before it was paved, they raced motorcycles there. Here's a link to a small article about the track closing. http://cranialcavity.net/fullthrottle/wp/index.php/category/speedway-mortuary/ I can remember meeting the late Henry Molenar as a little kid at the racetrack. (Henry built and ran the track until his p***ing) He took me up to the announcers booth and let me watch a race from up there. I thought that was the coolest thing. Anyhow, this isn't really a rant so much as I'm sad to see what I consider part of my childhood, and I'm sure many others, dying off in the name of so-called-progress. Here's a pic of Henry gettin' down way before my time.
Awsome photo, I just read where the new silver crown series will run there later this summer. I guess it will be their first and last time, that's too bad.
That ****s he sold that track to the guy that owns it because he was SURE that guy would keep the track going. Molenar also got screwed big time by Harley Davidson when he was still alive, he had a dealership going back to at least the 40's kept it open when no one wanted Harleys and they took it away from him so some guy could build a Harley Boutique store. Santa Fe was one of my favorite tracks up your way. Didn't they close Blue Island too?
raceway park was in blue island. the property became too valuable. is it more housing going up? i didn't read the link. every couple years there's talk of opening US30. it'll never happen. i remember talking to harry about the dealership(he remained open without the factory backing). he claims they wanted him to put down a checkerboard tiled floor, sell more clothing, it was sad. he told them he didn't need that to sell motorcycles. they wanted him to clean up the neighborhood. harry was a cool old man. i worked for the family hauling stuff out of the ba*****t for the estate sale. the memories that place held. the smells. that old oil stained wooden floor screamed bike shop. harley's new clients were afraid to even stop in that neighborhood. i liked it that way.
I loved going to Sante Fe,my first time there,walked in bought a big beer,walked over to the fence..splat! I chunk of dirt landed in my cup. I turned to my girl (wife now) and said "I love this place" And I remember leaving my 65 Mustang was covered in dust. And all the Monte Carlo's breaking axles.That was a fun place. Oh and the Loomis bros. racing.
Yeah, saddens me everytime I hear of one getting shut down. I ran mini stocks and an IMCA modified at Petaluma speedway in Petaluma, ca. Learned a lot and had a blast! I get the urge now and again to get back into it and rub some paint seeing as I still have a mini stock that I built sitting behind the house. But yeah anyways, it's a shame, it's a weekly staple that I think many people take for granted.
The Jalopy Journal
