The Story of Trenton Speedway-DESTINATION ANYWHERE
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2024
- On this episode of Destination Anywhere, we're going to travel back in time to examine the rise and fall of the Trenton Speedway, once located in Mercer County, New Jersey.
Originally the grounds for local livestock trading, a horse track was added around the turn of the century. By the 1950s, the fairgrounds would see a boom in auto racing as the best in the world would come to Trenton to compete on a yearly basis. In 1969, the track was repaved and expanded to a mile and half with the addition of a dog-leg right turn. While thousands would come to the area every year to attend the state fair and auto races, attendance would eventually decline and by the 1980s the property was auctioned off and the track and its grandstands were demolished. Now, there is a Walmart, sculpture park and UPS facility on the old grounds.
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Archival footage used in this historical piece by fair use from the George Estock Archives by way of Trenton Speedway DVD produced by Motorsport Video Production, Mike O'Brien.
Photo Credits:
1:56-Aerial Shot-Hardifer Collection/Hagley
2:03-Race track-Hardifer Collection
2:11-Wright Brothers-James Hamid Jr.
2:25-George Hamid-James Hamid, Jr
2:52-George Hamid-James Hamid, Jr
3:02-Racers-Hardifer Collection
3:18-Dirt Track-Trentonia Department, Trenton Free Public Library
3:23-Wally Campbell-Hardifer Collection
3:40-Paving-Lengenfelder Collection
6:24-George Jr-James Hamid, Jr
6:33-Track photo-Steve Mervish-Lengenfelder Collection
7:04-7:29-Track demo-Lengenfelder Collection
8:44-Individuals on roof-Lengenfelder Collection
Has a kid I can remember going to the last race. I attended the fairgrounds a few times.
If I remember about ten years ago. I did an album on Facebook about Trenton Speedway So after the track finally closed. My friends and I would sneak in and ride our bikes around the whole track. It was super cool and long lol. It was also mid summer so super hot. That we were jumping in the pond. People said that race cars ended up in the pond. It was awesome times and proud of the Trenton History. Thank you!!
Thanks for sharing your story, Rey! Those sound like some good old times. I think someone told me some dead circus animals were in that pond as well but then again I have heard a few different stories about it. I also heard some of the dirt was mined to help build Rt. 295. Either way, thanks for watching and following!
I GREW UP ON THAT PROPERTY, MY DADS AUTO BODY SHOP WAS LOCATED BEHIND THE MAIN GRANDSTANDS, MY GRANDFATHER'S ONLY JOB HE HAD HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS THE HEAD OF BUILDING AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AT THE SPEEDWAY AND THERE HOUSE WAS RIGHT OFF THE BACK STRAIGHTAWAY! YOU NAME IT WE DID IT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS OR IN THE FIELDS AND PITS THAT SURROUNDED IT, GREAT TIMES, COOL STORY!
Awesome memories! Thanks for watching!
That was a great video!
I was born in 71 and my mother had a friend who lived on one of the side roads off of Klockner Rd. on the east side of the track. Of course it was a dead end road as the track was right there at the end of the street. I vaguely remember being at my mom's friends during certain events and of course all I ever wanted to do is make my way through the two big fences/barricades just so that I could get a good view of the track. I succeed a couple of times, but would always get in trouble with my parents. I always tell friends of mine about the track that live in other parts of NJ and they have no idea of the history. Today I even drive my wife by there and tell her as we drive into what is a development of homes and townhouses that this is where the dead end started and back so many years we would actually be driving in the track if it still existed. I can remember hanging out one time during an event and there was a big opening in one of the fences where someone got through and into the track. They ran to the other side and came ran back. It was so cool! I also remember going to that track on a elementary school trip to see the circus one day. As a kid I had always wanted to see a full race, but unfortunately never did, but living in Hamilton I can remember always hearing the roar of the engines from a distance. Always fascinated by this track and as much as I do not know this video confirms that what I did know and tell my friends was true. Now I have this video to share with them.
Hi Mark, I'm so happy to have helped trigger so many great memories for you. Thanks for sharing your stories, I love hearing these. Also, thanks for checking out the video!
This was so awesome at 8:43 - 8:47 that was me other family members and friends on the roof of the house. The home was by brother-in-laws parents house. Many a time watched races from that rooftop. Thanks so much for this,
John, I'm so happy to hear this! When I was putting this together, I went back and forth about whether to use that photo or not an ultimately decided I needed to. I'm so happy you were able to recognize it and I hope it brought back some awesome memories!
@@TheMickeyShuffle hi Mickey. Hi , we also have some movies of the old Roadsters at Trenton racing,wish you could see them,old & in color.
That's awesome. Wish I would have known before! Thanks for watching!
After they closed Langhorne speedway in Pennsylvania, the season ending Race of Champions modified event was moved to Trenton Speedway in 1972. As I was too young, I didn't attend, but my parents did. My mother returned with a funny story. The night before the race, they were camping in our venerable old VW campmobile and there was a knock at the door. It was Geoff Bodine, an upstate NY modified driver we used to see race at the time at Spencer Speedway outside of Rochester. He wanted to borrow some toilet paper. My parents obliged, and he went on to win the prestigious event the next day!
Hahahaha that's an excellent story about another racing legend! Those truly were the good old days.
First lived on Magowan Ave right next to the track and watched many races there. My father was with Enterprise Fire Company and always worked all the races. This brings back so many memories of growing up in that area. We moved to Morgan Ave where I lived till I got married but I did still live there till 1998 when I moved to another area in NJ. Thank you for bringing back so many fond memories.
Hi Linda,
I'm, so glad I could help bring back some good memories for you. Thanks for watching:)
This made me cry. I spent most of my young life there, lived across the field by Klockner Rd on Christine Avenue. Too many memories to list. Thank you for putting this together and sharing.
Hi Mo, I'm really glad you enjoyed it and happy to bring back some fond memories for you! Thanks for watching!
I lived on Cannon Drive moved out 1970 I was 10.My father only took me a couple of times down one of the dead end roads stood on a crate and watched the race remember debri flying everywhere from the cars blowing by.
Lol I remeber the parties at your house. and. your brothers band i think ir was and das staged on the pool deck in the backyard
I saw every USAC Indy car race at Trenton between 1965 to 1978. I ran into Wally who lived in East Brunswick at the time. I lived near his home and use to talk with him about racing. Well at Trenton the first or second year Wally took my Father, Grandfather, and myself to meet A.J. Foyt, Mario, Bobby and Al Unser. Listening to these legends talk about racing made my day considering I was only 6 or 7 when this happened. I believe the pits were only open to people of a certain age or older. Security did not say anything when they saw Wally escorting us in.
Hi Donald, thanks for sharing! My family lived in Jamesburg at the time (I wasn't born yet) and my grandfather was friends with Wally...I believe my father even babysat Wally jr. once or twice. It's amazing how accessible these guys were back then and just regular guys. Much different than the way celebrities and athletes are today. Maybe nobody quite realized what legends they ultimately would become. Thanks for watching!
Grew up around Trenton Speedway. Was there everyday watching the reconstruction from 1-mile to 1.5-miles in late 1968 to early 1969. Saw my very first race there as a kid and saw Jimmy Clark race there, if I recall in 1965. Became an instant racing fan. Funny story - was standing on a drum outside of Turn 4 in 1977 to take photos when Mario Andretti was there testing. The police came and "yelled at me to get the hell down, you can't stand there." The officer then proceeded to take me in the infield and I spent the day with the team and with Mario. Got some great photos and memories of a lifetime. I was sad when Roger Penske decided to not buy Trenton Speedway, and instead built Nazareth Speedway. Both are gone now.
Wow, that is an amazing story. That was clearly a different time than today! Thank you for sharing those awesome memories!
The Hamid who was in charge when Roger was in the process of buying the fairgrounds screwed him when he sold off the main entrance to raise money to pay the electric bill at the Steel Pier. When Roger found out, he killed the deal and actually had to pay Hamid to get out. The Trenton Speedway was probably the best "superspeedway" ever in that everything from Indy Cars and full-size NASCAR "Cup" cars to Saturday night short-track Modifieds could race there and be competitive.
I grew up in the 1940s, about one mile from the fairgrounds. Also, I can remember towards the end of WWII when they trained soldiers there. Plus, the inside of the track was our swimming hole. I was born in 1934 and my memories only covered the dirt track days. One standout was a big barn fire, and us kids were allowed to gape at the dead horses. Before I went in the service, I had Joey Chitwood's autograph, but sadly my grandmother in a fit of cleaning, through it out. Before I close there was a monument going up to the fairground dedicated to a famous trotter, Goldsmith Maid. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for sharing your story and memories, Thomas! Also, thank you for your service. It is very much appreciated!
I can remember my grandfather and father taking me there as a youngster , wonderful memories for sure
Absolutely loved this. I am 73 and can remember going to races and state fairs with my father. As I grew up I continued going. Fondly remember the Race of Champions that later moved to Pocono raceway. Still attend grounds of sculpture a couple of times a year.
Thanks so much for watching! Sounds like it brought back some great memories for you!
went to the Race of ChampionS for asphalt modidieds great memories!
When I was a teenager my older cousin (an avid race fan) and I would set-up step ladders with a 2x12 plank in an alley on the backstretch at 6AM on race day. When the race started, we had front row seats literally 4 feet from the track. We saw all the big name Indy drivers twice a year... once in late April and another in September during the state fair. Years later we watched the NASCAR boys come to town.
We wore no ear protection and sitting just feet from the track we had ringing in our ears for several days after the race. I have so many great memories of Trenton Speedway and the old Fairgrounds. We saw AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby & Al Unser, Johnny Rutherford, Wally Dallenbach, Parnelli Jones and Gordon Johncock race each other wheel-to-wheell. Years later the NASCAR boys of Richard Petty, David Pearson, Wendel Scott, Bobby Issac, Junior Johnson, etc. came to Trenton to race. That was 58 years ago... and I still reside in Hamilton Township. Thank you so much for putting this video together... such great memories!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Marty. That sounds like some amazing memories and I'm definitely a bit jealous. Glad you are still in the area and happy I could help revive some of the good ol' days for you!
My Aunt lived on the other side of the track; we’d go to the end of the street and either climb the fence or sit on the roof to watch the race. We also went to the fair all the time and attended some of the races while we were there
This video was awesome
Thanks so much for watching! I hope it brought back some great memories:)
I grew up a few blocks away in the 70’s and 80’s. We used to ride dirt bikes and go carts in the “Orange Hole” at the south east corner of the property and of course, snuck on to the track a few times. Actually got to meet Roger Penske when he was walking around the track, looking to buy it. Great memories!
That sounds like some good times there! I really wonder what could have been had Penske bought it.
I LOVED going to Trenton Speedway with my Dad. Boy, do I wish it was still there!
I was there for a number of years with my parents on the backstretch. We went there because it was cheaper than the grandstands. Money was tight in my family. Saw many great races, though, both in and out of the grandstands. Great track and wonderful fair. One bad thing I still remember was during one fair, someone was shot in the grandstands during a race by a bullet fired at a concession stand behind the stands. The bullet went between two planks in the backboard of the stand, and into the grandstands. I don't think they were seriously hurt, but they moved the shooting stand for the next day.
Wow, that's a crazy story, thanks for sharing! Awesome to hear the memories.
I realize this is an older video (by YT standards)- but I had no idea Trenton ever had a track. As a Jersey Native (of only 54 yrs), I'm genuinely surprised. I like decorating my scale model track room to reflect NJ based racing memorabilia and photos whenever I can. I knew about Wall Tnshp (still open), Ho-Ho-Kus, and even Morristown, and personally visited Pine Brook Stadium as a little kid. Thank you VERY much for highlighting a track I never even knew about- now I'm on a mission to obtain some cool photos etc. VERY COOL!
That sounds like an awesome project! Thanks for watching and good luck with your track room!
@@TheMickeyShuffle Thanks! Since posting I found a few more videos n pics! Thx again!
Over the years, New Jersey has had dozens of tracks: Ovals (dirt and paved), drag strips, and (various types of) road courses. Sadly, it's down to three ovals . . . paved Wall Stadium, formerly paved and now dirt New Egypt, and always dirt but recently reconfigured Bridgeport. There are three remaining drag strips . . . Island, Atco, and Raceway Park but RP suspended drag racing some five years ago but still has drifting and (maybe) motocross. (Note: There are still some indoor midget races during the Winter months in both Atlantic City and Trenton.) But, if you refer to Allan Brown's "The History of American Speedways" . . . you'll see the surprisingly large number of motorsports venues that once existed in the Garden State. When I was younger, there was actually a four-night weekly NASCAR (paved) Modified circuit with New Egypt on Thursday nights, Vineland Fridays, Wall Saturday, and Old Bridge on Sundays. And, the sort-of square dirt track at Flemington was also NASCAR sanctioned for many years. It is truly sad that it has dwindled down to just what's left.
Oh yeah did I grew up a half a mile away from the place
I attended auto racing there in the 1970s. And also annually the NJ State Fair until that was relocated in 1981. A lot of history on the tract of land and back in the 1880s it held harness races with trotters not auto races. I am a harness trainer today and work with standardbred horses. 🐴🐴
Sounds like some great memories Janelle! Thanks for sharing!
Sound like i should know you
I lived in Hamilton until the late 60s. I have fond memories of getting out of school for a day to “go to the fair”. Never saw a car race, though. And, My mother was a waitress at Cedar Gardens for a short while in the 50s and my family often ate there. I love your videos....brings a little nostalgia to my life.
I'm so glad you like the videos Cheryl and thanks for sharing!
My dad told me stories of visiting the speedway when he was a young man. I vaguely remember seeing it during its downfall. So sad, would have been awesome to still have this racetrack. I grew up going to East Windsor Speedway with my dad who drove there before I was born and then watched my brother drive there for about 5 years before they closed it down.
Thanks for sharing , Michelle! It's sad all the cool tracks are pretty much gone!
We used to park our big truck in the back yard on Junior Ave and watch the races from the scaffold. Drive by that street all the time and wonder whatever happened to the family that lived there and used to watch the races with us. Such great great memories. This was awesome, thank you!!
Hi Kim, I'm so glad to bring back some great memories for you! Sounds like some great times! Thanks for watching.
I remember your name from when i was young
Your family you're thinking of might be John Parker
Wow, does that bring back memories! Allman Brothers band, to meeting Petty, Foyt, and Ulster. Fairgrounds, speedway to concerts. Sad if you look at Trenton now from when I grew up. Thanks for the memories, and good job Mickey! Donna M.Marciante
Thanks so much for checking it out and thanks for the kind words!
Thank you so much for this video. My dad used to manage Trenton fair back in the mid to late 60s. We actually lived directly in front of the fairgrounds in a converted garage to apartment. We had our personal belongings stored in one of historical buildings still standing as shown in video. We would be on the road with Hammond and Morton circus until season was over and school started. If you know anyway I could locate some pictures of the fair itself from mid to late 60's sure would appreciate it
I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thank you sharing you experience. I tried to find more picture of the fair but I just couldn't find many, even from the Hamid family themselves. If I come across any I will let you know. Thanks again for watching!
My dad took me to my first race in 1957..over the years I remember seeing Salt Walther, Bill Vukovich, Andy Granatelli, and others at the track. Lived in the South for 40 years , saw many NASCAR tracks, but Trenton was the first.
Wow, those sound like some excellent memories! Thanks for watching!
Good job, A friend of mine Dave G. who ran USAC Midget Sprint and Champ dirt/silver Crown back in the late 60's to middle late 70's ran what we called the up-east tour, Trenton, NJ Syracuse, NY Reading, Pa just to name A few tracks. I remember him telling me about the races on that tour, what stands out the most is him telling me how difficult it was to set up A car to run Trenton. Because of the dogleg on the back stretch, Midget Sprints and Champ dirt cars are not set up to turn right. Probably one of the reasons they quit running USAC there, since most of the Cart boys were rich daddy's boys with deep pockets and the track made them look bad, just like the dirt tracks did, USAC quit running dirt tracks in 70 or 71 so all of the rich daddy's boys could look like they were real open wheel racers, the scansions had to do away with such tracks. That made daddy's rich boy look bad.... And the beat goes on, right up to today, rich daddy's boys.....
Thanks for sharing and for checking this out!
My dad & I spent many Sunday's at the Speedway for the big cars as they were called as boy, Jim Clark was a big event with team mate Dan Gurney bringing the first of the rear engines racers to compete with the current cars of the day,I have so many memories, programs too, I could make a book on all my memories,
Hi Mark, Sounds like some great times...thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
I remember Area Auto Racing News articles about Trenton. I never had the chance to see a race there. Thanks for this video.
Thanks for watching, Bill!
While doing some work near the lake, I hit pavement about 2 feet down while digging for fence posts. I can only imagine that it was from the old racetrack. I actually kept a piece of it and still have it
Now that is pretty awesome!
This is a great story I still live there today on the straightaway people watching the race on the roofs riding are bicycles we couldn’t talk it was super loud As the cars would go bye. we also had go carts motorcycles we were ride in the orange hole as it was called skateboard around the turns catch bass in those lakes
Sounds like some awesome memories! Thanks for checking out the video!
They were the good old day .... was great growing up in the hood there & sneaking into the races & the fair as kids
I use to ride my dirt bike from Connecticut Ave. cut through the race track to hang out in the ole neighborhood……good times!!!! Loved Dirt biking, fishing and hanging out by track. Skipping school hanging by the lakes. Good times!!!
I have photos I took during a race in the mid 70’s. Janet Guthrie, Johnny Rutherford, etc. were there.
Great story on the history of Trenton Speedway. As a kid, I went to many races there. I met and have photos with racing greats, Roger Penske, Mario Andretti and Rick Mears.
Sounds like some great memories! Thanks for watching!
My oldest brother had bought some tickets to the Marlboro 300, my dad and I went there a couple of times, it's kind of funny you posting this so many years later.
I'm sure that was a great time! Thanks for checking it out!
Thanks for this awesome video! I grew up behind the dog leg on Potter Avenue and saw many races from both the grandstands and the neighborhood and rooftops, it's just what you did back then. I remember being heartbroken when it got torn down. I used to have a small piece of the track, but I think it's gone and lost over the years of moving around. My grandparents owned Devlin Photo and had exclusive access to the track and fairgrounds. We even drove our delivery cars on the track before an event! I remember having Danny Ongias' racecar at the Johnston Avenue store and getting my picture taken in it. I must have been somewhere between 4 and 8 years old. We used to have stacks of the old programs that I loved to read and look at, but again, I fear that they are lost over time. I used to ride my bike daily in what we dubbed as the 'Orange Hole' behind turn 3 because of the color of the dirt back there. Used to swim and fish in the lakes also, most people don't know that it used to be 2 lakes. This video brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for all of your hard work making the video.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing all those fantastic memories! The whole reason I do this is to bring these memories back for people so it makes me really happy that it sounds like I did my job on this one, at least for you.
My dad used to take me to those races. We lived a few miles away at the time. Thanks for sharing this bit of history. I did not know that the track had hosted such legends at one time.
Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching!
I remember fondly going to watch Indy car & modified sportsman racing from 1962 thru the mid seventies.
Another treasure lost to greed.
So true, John! So many treasures lost for commercial development and other things with much less magic.
That was an awesome track. I went to many races there over the years. It sure was no cookie cutter track like most of todays speedways are.
That's for sure!
Thanks for the video! My first job was working at the track selling programs for lenny sammons of area auto racing news.. can still hear.. "don't know who's who without your program" lol. And the circus every year with my long gone grandmother. Thanks again for the memories
Hahaha, I can imagine! Thanks for sharing the memories, Barry!
Aerosmith 74 “ This is now a free event “ announced over raceway PA. Smart call to prevent any trouble like recently in Houston. It was the biggest event I ever attended in my hometown. Loud too!!
Wow, that had to be awesome!
Man you really tape into some memories. Great job!
I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!
Awesome video! Looks to me like Hamilton Lakes Dr. is laid out over the old back-stretch, dog leg and all. Went to Trenton speedway with my dad each year from 75 to the Spring of 1980.
Thanks for watching!
@@TheMickeyShuffle You're welcome. Thanks for sharing those great images.
Grew up about a mile from the track and would climb trees at old turn 3 the turn 4 when the dogleg was added. Wasn’t a big Fair fan as it was junky and could get rough for a kid. Loved the racing sounds and smells. Knowing it was the preview for Indy was always a point of pride. Sigh. Time marches on.
Thanks for sharing your memories, Kevin. It sounds like an awesome time to be young. It's a shame it's existence is basically wiped from the ground.
saw the Allman Brothers there. Lots of good memories of the races and the fair
That must have been awesome!
I was at that show, 1973.
When I was little we lived in Hamilton and we would go to the Fairgrounds to see the Shrine Circus. My grandmother would take my sister and I. I remember the track but never saw a race there. I remember going to the Sate Fair at the Fairgrounds too. Great memories. Thanks
I'm glad I could jog a few of those great nostalgic moments!
As a teenager we went there three time for the Late Model Sportsman races they would have on a Saturday during the Race Of Champions modified event, the main modified race was on a Sunday so they had last chance races on Saturday for the mods and qualifying and the main Late Model race Saturday and they put on a great show every time there.
Sounds like some good times, Jim! Thanks for watching
Grew up about 2 miles from the track off Greenwood Ave. Remember many a summer time tire testings, 3 Champ car races a year, the crazy 300 mile Midget race...wow...and the Northern 300....(even recall the 500 Tom Pistone won 1958?) all the North vs, South runs called the Race of Champions modified-Sportsmen race...the Triple Header in Sept (I was in tree on the backstretch the year Don Gillette was killed)...used to sneak into the bleachers...easier to do during the State Fair time....the place was amazing...and just down the road Langhorne. Only time I got on the old mile mile was with a buddy and our bicycles. It was truly a great area for auto racing back in the day.... I even ran a few low end events at Wall Stadium and New Egypt when costs were reasonable and the novice classes were pure fun. I have lots of old race programs i looked over after watching your video...such memories..Thanks Mickey
Hi Theo, Thanks for sharing and for watching. I'm glad to help bring up some great memories!
Great memories . thanks for posting.
Thank you for watching! Glad I could bring some good ones back for you!
My dad towed Mario Andretti off the track after a crash before I was born, as a helper. He was a teacher in Trenton for 33 years.
That's awesome! It was a whole different time. Thanks for watching, Brad!
Awesome documentary! I wish this was still around.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate it. I wish it was too!
Outstanding video!!! Thanks to all !!
Thanks so much for checking it out and the kind words!
My dad & I spent many a Sunday at the Trenton speedway, being from New Brunswick NJ it was a 40minute drive from home, I , from the 50s to the last event there, was a special track, where all the greats in all types of racing , I was lucky to witness growing up in racing, I have many programs, some autographs in them, collectors want them, but one not sure if I should let go If we only had another ROGER PENSKE!it could have grown into an INDY StYLE layout, bringing in those much needed Tourist dollars for NJ.+ much loved racing in THE GARDEN STATE.
Thanks for watching, Mark! I'm glad it brought back some fond memories. Yes, it really would have been great if they could have figured out a way to keep the track alive!
RIP a great looking track
Some big names raced that track. I could hear the cars whipping around the track and the announcer from my house.
Also some big name bands played the fair. Alman brothers, Aerosmith…..and the Joe perry project to name a few
I actually have an old Trenton Speedway pit pass from 1971 for the old Marlboro Championship Trial aka The Marlboro 300
That's awesome! Glad it survived the years!
I live less then 10 mins from there it was way before my time but I heard great stories about the place . Great video !!
Thanks so much for watching! Before my time too but fun to dig up these memories for others.
My biggest memory of the fair was about 1960. Chevrolet had a small building with a bowl shaped movie screen where they showed an I-Max type movie, which took the viewer on a ride in a new Corvette. I remember my stomach dropping as were rode up-and-down the small hills and turns in the country road of some farm country. I was about 20 years old, and had never seen anything like that before. Thanks for the memories of the Fair Grounds - I never attended a race there.
Thanks for sharing, Gene! Sounds pretty awesome!
There was a lot of farmland back in Hamilton then, now nothing but the concrete jungle.
You forgot to mention Joey Chitwood that used to do stunt driving on the track. I also went there for the State Fair up until 1966, the following year I had heard that they had problems with the inner city kids that would roam around in gangs causing trouble. I can only relate this as hearsay, as I stopped going based on these stories, but apparently it was the beginning of the end for the State Fair that used to be held there, even though racing survived there for many more years.
My wife and I moved to this area in 1969 and we enjoyed a number of races here including one motorcycle race. This place, and the late lamented Langhorne Speedway, are treasured memories for us. RIP Trenton Fairgrounds.
I'm 15 and love learning about old tracks Nascar and Usac use to race on. Many people who I've talked to that have gone here said it was a fast track for its area and were sad when they heard it was closing. Would have loved to see a race held here.
The connections I was tied to it this place break my heart today and that was freaking 50 years ago
Thanks for doing this! We live on the lake and although the Fairgrounds and Speedway were before my time, this was a really cool history lesson!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I live here now too, and this is the best history of the site I’ve come across. My movers told me Aerosmith played here, I loved that. Thanks!
I used to go to concerts there in the early to mid 70s. The Band, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley.
That's a great lineup of concerts!
My dad worked there as a safety crew member. I remember as a young kid there was a replay of a race on TV. At the same time my dad was on the TV, he walked into house from work. I was really a confused kid at that !!
Haha, that's awesome!
Took over a failing GMC Dealership located at the corner of the fairgrounds/Speedway property in 1979. Initially named the Dealership "Speedway GMC". After doing much legal work and signage, etc. found out the speedway was closing and was afraid of spending the future explaining where the name came from with no remaiing connection. Renamed the fledging Dealership and never looked back.
Haha...that's a great story, thanks for sharing! I'm sure you would have spent hours and hours explaining!
Great video. Thanks 🇺🇸🍀🇺🇸
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for what I used to hear about as a kid.
Glad you got to see more of it! I feel the same way, I only heard stories so it was nice to gather some visuals for it.
Went there for the modifieds at least a half dozen times, sure do miss those other tracks too like Langhorne, Flemington, and Reading Fairgrounds.
Yeah. They're all gone now .... about the closest motor racing track to the capital region is Wall Stadium.
very cool racing history
Glad you enjoyed it
I remember going to the circus there. At the time, I didn't even understand that it was a race track (we used to call it the fairgrounds) until I saw a stock car running around the track. I also remember going to the barn with my grandfather for an auction.
Really sounds like it was a great place at the time!
I don't have any experience there, but my father might have had something to share. Great video!
Thanks for watching!
Remember it good growing up near there and watching the time trials on Saturday the bands could hear them from my front yard lot of people would watch the races on the roof of their house every year we would get out of school early there would give us a ticket to the fare let's bring that good stuff back 😀
Thanks for the memories, Bill! It must have been an awesome time and place to grow up!
You asked for it so here I go. My great uncle ,George Swain, was superintendent of the fairgroungs. He and my Aunt Mable lived on Nottingham Way. Naomi Rice , the mother of my classmate Frank was Hamid's secretary. She got me my first job working the consetions in the grand stands. That was the end of the 50's till 1965. Great money for a kid. When I hook up with the french fry guy I was in the chips. Let's not forget the Shrine Circus, and along with the Trenton 200 were also money makers. My uncle was a township cop ( Raymond Sellnow), on Fair Day school would let out for a half day. My cousin Richard and I would do the fair in style. First stop would be the "Little Police Station." My uncle always got the fair duty. So we would pickup an unlimited cash of tickets.Rides, sideshows, and any thing you needed a ticket was ours. I guess the last fair I attended was the fall of 1966. There was a bad fight where a guy got slashed pretty badly. I never went again. Thanks for this great video,
Thanks so much for watching and sharing those great memories! Really sounds like some great times, minus the slashing!
Locate filming of the history of Trenton Speedway when Evel Knievel arrived.
Awesome video. Looking forward to watching more.
Thanks so much, Jim!
In 1980, I co-anchored (on ESPN) the last auto race ever held there. I don't know if the video still exists but it must be somewhere.
That's awesome! I'd love to see that video. I wonder if it's in the ESPN vault somewhere.
@@TheMickeyShuffle I have no idea but you could always check with them in Bristol, Connecticut. If you can get it, please let me know at cr@exit109.com. BTW, in your opening shot, that row of houses on the right along a curved street . . . that _was_ the dogleg of the track. I drove out there once before they had torn down the big old covered grandstands and could tell by eyeballing it. Also, that lake was in the infield and was created when they needed dirt to build the turns 3 and 4 banking when they enlarged the track to a mile-and-a-half. There is an aerial photo service online that can take you back through the years and you can verify that the street with the houses was exactly where that part of the track was.
Watched the races from the top of the fence on the backstretch.
Lived in Trenton loved going to the speedway. I met my wife there. 40 years ago miss the track. Still have the wife
Wow, Mike! That's an awesome story about meeting your wife there. Glad it brought back some great memories!
same story for me.... married now 49 years.... remember going to the infield...no security...tons of autographs
wow finally an in depth video on this amazing track!
Thanks so much for watching! I appreciate it!
Mickey brings the good stuff ... always
Thanks, Dee!
Well done video! This was before my time, but i always knew it was there. Glad to finally get some info on what it was all about. Thanks!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! That's mainly the reason I do this stuff.
What is now the Cup Series used to have Trenton as part of its schedule. Its race was moved to Pocono starting in 1973.
I remember the State Fair being in Flemington at that time
Skate boarded on the high curve back in the mid to late 70's it was a 15 minute walk from home
That's awesome!
So cool.
Thanks, Wayne!
Never even heard of it. Till now. Thanks for the info and very awesome video. Ttys God bless
( #like130)
Thanks so much for the positive feedback and checking it out!
Went there many times as a kid. snuck under the fence on first turn many times.
That must have been great!
@@TheMickeyShuffle Great Video - Thanks For Creating and Sharing !
Well done great history from jersey when it was great.
Thanks so much!
Exactly when NJ "Was Great" now too much Taxes, 9 million people, anti American families, anti 2nd. Amt., car insurance, traffic always, paying for the beaches n Tolls.................. KAG.
Great video! Thank You!
Thanks so much, Casey! I appreciate it.
You should go to Riverside in California; the track has been wiped off the face of the earth with houses and a shopping mall (both RIR and Trenton were owned at one time by American Raceways Inc.)
I would love to!
I grew up about a mile down Klockner road from the speedway. I would ride my bike to the track during practices and could meet and talk to all of my driver heros. Sad to see the track gone.
That's an awesome story, Rich! Those were the days!
Usted to live in Mercerville
saw my first race here ,1970
Thank You for doing this video. I was there one time in 1975 for the Modified race of champions. Awesome track. Sad it's gone.
Glad it brought back some memories!
Great video! To bad NJ didn't keep the speedway!!
I know it really sucks to be honest! Thanks for watching...I appreciate it!
excellent
Many many thanks
I remember twin 100 mile races promoted by Sam Nunis.
Love your videos
Thanks, Annette! I appreciate it.
“Tren’un” yea😎
LOL, that' the enunciation for people who didn't know how to pronounce Trenton.
I can remember swimming in them Lakes
Did you run into any animal bones? I heard rumors of there being circus animal bone sin there ha!
@@TheMickeyShuffle I'm sure there are or were because there used to be horse races are back in the day also
The water now on the property (retaining pond?) has a shape suspiciously like the old infield.
Nice
Thanks
my sister an I worked at the NJ fair in Hamilton haaa an we watched those races many times from the roof tops of neighbors haaaa
Sounds really awesome! Thanks for watching!
I used to visit the state fairs held there and took my own children to the Shriner circus held there until it became overrun with foul mouthed Hooligans, unfit for families to attend. I still remember the sounds of engines roaring for hours on race days.