SPEEDWAY PARK - JACKSONVILLE FL
Speedway Park, sometimes referred to as Jacksonville Speedway, was a popular racing track in Jacksonville’s Westside. The track itself was a bit rickety. It was a dirt oval road that measured about a half a mile around and had only two turns. The stands were made of splintered wood and the track itself had many potholes and ruts. This often lent itself to several crashes and many necessary, and time consuming, mid-race repairs. Speedway Park was owned by Pat Patrick, who tried to put on racing shows every weekend for Jacksonville locals. Patrick also happened to own the burger joint, Pat’s Drive-In, around the corner from the speedway, and oftentimes race-goers would stop by there for a
bite to eat. The track officially opened in 1947, and over the years would become a spot for local box car races, the Duval County Exposition, and most notably, the NASCAR Grand National Series. The track was located at the intersection of Lenox Avenue and Plymouth Street in southwest Jacksonville. Jacksonville Speedway hosted its first major race in February 1948, and before long it drew the attention of NASCAR, which was officially formed that same year. NASCAR Grand Series races weren’t regularly scheduled at this track, but there would be several held in the1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1961, and the 1964 seasons. The first Cup race here at Speedway Park would come in 1951 and Herb Thomas would lead 199 of 200 laps to collect the win. Jack Smith and Tim Flock made up the top
three. In 1952, Marshall Teague would lead all 200 laps and beat Thomas and Frankie Schneider who both finished on the lead lap. Herb Thomas had shown his prowess for getting around the track the first two races; and in 1954 Thomas would beat second place finisher Fonty Flock by two laps. Lee Petty was third. When they returned the following year, Thomas, Petty and Dick Rathman waged a battle for the win. At the checkers, Petty got the win with Rathman close behind, and Thomas third; all on the lead lap. The Cup series didn't return until 1961. Tommy Irwin started third and would take the lead on lap 17. He'd lead for 116 laps and looked to on his way to his first win. But he experienced some sort of issue and Lee Petty would pass him with 18 laps to go. Petty went on to get the win and Irwin was second a lap behind. The Grand Series’ most
notable season was actually its last. The race took place on December 1st of that year. One major contender was Jimmy Lee Capps. Capps was a fairly experienced racer, who was strapped in to a car made by none other than Irwin “Speedy” Spiers. Spiers was a well-known car builder, who had built cars that won over 1,000 races. Spiers, now 83, actually still builds engines in a shop right here, on the Eastside of Jacksonville. Richard Petty, one of the most frequent winners in NASCAR, was also a participant. Jack Smith started on the pole with Richard Petty second on the grid. During the race, Smith led 20 laps; while Ned Jarrett led 52 laps before falling out with broken wheel bolts. Then, Petty, who had been leading for over 100 laps; everyone thought he had the win, easy, until his steering broke, likely due to the conditions of the track. He
Wendell Scott (center)
soldiered through to finish fifth nine laps behind. What makes this race so unique and important, though, is the other notable racer—Wendell Scott. Wendell took the lead with 25 laps remaining as Petty fell behind. He crossed the finished line in the lead after lap 200, but there was nobody waving the checkered flag. Two laps later, the flag was waved—for Buck Baker. After complaints, the race steward went back to realize two of Scott’s laps were missing. Baker’s title was taken, and Scott was given the title of winner, followed by Baker in second, and Jack Smith in third. Because Scott’s win was delayed, he never received the trophy. While he may have never been a trophy holder, Scott had won, making him the first African American man to win a NASCAR event. The track would hold one more event, a NASCAR Grand National East Series Race, before shutting down in 1973. Eventually, the 66 acres of land were sold for over $3 million to a Michigan-based residential company, who decided to erect a multifamily development on the site. Over the years many
issues would complicate the process, such as contamination from car waste. Completed in 2003, today, the Lenox Courts Apartments are the headstone to a dead and buried Jacksonville race track.
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