TUSCON RODEO GROUNDS - TUSCON AZ
The facility opened up in the 1920s but it wasn’t until the late 30s, that they decided to run auto races for the first time. Racing began on the 1/2 mile track with sprint events but unfortunately after only a couple of seasons opened, racing stopped due to the WWII ban. Racing returned as soon as motorsport was allowed to continue after the war and racing continued with sprints once again. As time went on, racing turned into jalopy racing in the late 40s and then into stock car racing and slowly became one of Arizona’s premier tracks. In 1953, they added a 1/4 mile track inside that was used in conjunction and inside the original track. Tucson Rodeo Grounds hosted a single Cup race in 1955. Not until 1988, did
NASCAR’s Cup series return to Arizona. In the lone Cup race held here, the drivers would race 200 laps around a 1/2 mile oval. Danny Letner would get his second (and final) Cup win as he beat the field by over a lap. Allen Adkins finished second; followed by Lloyd Dane, Chuck Meekins and Bill Amick. The Tuscon Rodeo Grounds still is in existence and is used for what you'd expect: rodeos. The Tucson Rodeo Committee expanded the Tucson Rodeo to five performance days in 1993 and included an annual Women’s Championship Rodeo in the 2000-2003 events. In 2004 through 2006, the event added a PRCA sanctioned Bull Riding competition. The arena at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds now seats 11,000 spectators. It also sports a variety of other events. It has a pool and splash pads, and offers many different programs and area for recreation.
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