OKLAHOMA STATE FAIRGROUNDS - OKLAHOMA CITY OK
This facility was built in 1954. The speedway became a sizable part of fair-goers activities for over 50 years. Over the years the track has seen such dirt track heros as AJ Foyt, Johnny Parsons, and Steve Kinser from various forms of racing. Not to mention the Cup stars that (officially) raced here on one occasion. In 1956, promotions and previews had forecast entry lists teeming with nearly 30 cars for the event, which each ended up drawing healthy crowds near 6,000 spectators. But travel for the competitors to the Great Plains proved difficult. The Oklahoma City opener started just 12 entries with seven cars running at the finish. Jim Paschal scored his only win of the season in the Friday night event, taking the lead
for keeps when Petty’s rear differential failed just seven laps from the finish. 1957 saw an unusual occurrence and Richard Petty played a prominent role. Speedy Thompson started from the pole for the second straight race, but conditions deteriorated shortly after the start. An overly dusty track combined with dim lighting made for hazardous racing, and five of the 13 starters retired in the first 30 laps. Moments later, according an Associated Press account of the race, Petty screeched to a halt near the start-finish line and quit on the spot. He exited his #42 Dodge and grabbed a flag to wave the other drivers off the track, ending the race with just 34 of a scheduled 200 laps complete. The event was suspended, never restarted and did not count toward the series’ statistics. Although record-keeping from the era is spotty, it’s believed to be the only instance of a race starting and ending before becoming official in series history. The
protest nearly touched off a riot by the spectators, who milled about until refunds were issued. In 1961 Late Model stock car racing was popular on the 1/2 mile oval. Many series raced at the track. The 2010 season was canceled after problems with faulty wiring was discovered, and safety concerns were raised. The grandstands weren't up to code either, so it decided rather than to spend a large sum of money to bring it up to code, it would be demolished.
All Photos copyright and are property of their respective owners