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Nazareth Speedway

Coordinates: 40°43′41″N 75°19′08″W / 40.728°N 75.319°W / 40.728; -75.319
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Nazareth Speedway

Map of the track in 2004
LocationLower Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Time zoneUTC−5 (UTC−4 DST)
Coordinates40°43′41″N 75°19′08″W / 40.728°N 75.319°W / 40.728; -75.319
Capacity45,000
OwnerRaceway Properties, LLC (November 2015–present)
International Speedway Corporation (1999–2004)
Opened1910
Closed2004
Former namesNazareth National Speedway (1910–1984)
Pennsylvania International Raceway (1985–1993)
Nazareth Speedway (1994–2004)
Major eventsIndyCar Firestone Indy 225 (2002–2004)
CART Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix (1987–2001)
NASCAR Busch Series Goulds Pumps/ITT Industries 200 (1988–2004)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chevy Silverado 200 (1996–2001)
Marlboro Challenge (1990, 1992)
Oval (1987–2004)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length0.946 miles (1.522 km)
Turns5
BankingTurn 1 and Straightaways: 2.7°
Turns 2 & 3: 3°
Turns 4 & 5 4°
Race lap record0:19.514 (Greg Moore, Reynard 98I, 1998, CART)
Original Oval (1966–1984)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.125 miles (1.810 km)
Turns4
Race lap record0:38.310 (Mario Andretti, Kuzma 60 D, 1969, U.S.A.C. IndyCar)

Nazareth Speedway is a defunct auto racing facility in Lower Nazareth Township in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, which operated from 1910 to 2004. The racing facility operated in two distinct course configurations. In its early years, it was a dirt twin oval layout. In 1987, it was reopened as a paved tri-oval that measured just slightly under 1 mile.

The facility is often linked to local drivers Mario and Michael Andretti's early racing careers.[1] It was also associated with Frankie Schneider due to his large number of wins on the two dirt tracks.[2]

As of November 2015, the site was purchased by Raceway Properties LLC under David Jaindl. There are no current plans to return racing to the facility. As of 2024 the track is abandoned and in a state of disrepair with much of the track's infrastructure (such as grandstands) having been removed. The track's racing surface still exists though it is in disrepair.[3]

Track history

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Nazareth Speedway in 2004

Nazareth Speedway started as a horse racing track farther up in the center of the town in the 1850s known as the Northampton County Agricultural Fairgrounds. As the crowds grew, the location grew too crowded to remain in the center of the town. Around 1900, a new 1⁄2 mile dirt track was constructed at the current location between Route 191 and 248. The site began hosting motor racing events in the 1910s.

In 1966, an additional 11⁄8 mile dirt track was added. In 1987, the Penske-owned paved speedway replaced the big track and the small track was demolished and the site was replaced by the expanding of a nearby grocery store in 1988.[4]

Dirt track (small)

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The 1⁄2 mile dirt track was constructed in the 1900s as a horse racing track. The first automotive events held at the location were not racing, instead it was a sport called auto polo. Following the Great Depression the first large race that happened at the small track would be held in 1947 by the American Automobile Association. The race included 35 cars, and attracted a crowd of 11,000 spectators.

In 1952, Jerry Fried purchased the fairgrounds. He continued the racing, and added in additional events, such as demolition derbies. The track was also the location of one of the first enduro races on the east coast. The 1⁄2 mile track continued to operate weekly during the closing of the large track from 1971 to 1982.

In the time period the short track was open, Buzzie Reutimann won 33 races, leading to the 1972 and 1973 track titles.[5]

During Roger Penske's ownership in 1988, the track was sold to nearby Laneco supermarket and demolished.[4]

Dirt track (large)

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The big track was opened in April 1966, as a five-turn 1.125 mi (1.811 km) dirt track named Nazareth National Speedway. The track featured modified races. Frankie Schneider had a clean sweep at the event - he had the fastest qualifying time, won his heat race, and won the feature event. The event turned out to be the only event at the track in the season.

The track held nine events in 1967, which was the most events the track hosted in one season. Schneider won five of the races.

In 1968, the track hosted five modified events. Schneider won three of them. Al Tasnady started near last in the August 24, 1968 modified event, and won the race by lapping all drivers except Schneider. USAC Dirt Champ cars raced at the track on July 13, 1968. The race was won by Al Unser, who beat local driver Mario Andretti.

Mario Andretti won the USAC dirt champ car race in 1969. In addition, Rags Carter won four consecutive events.[6] Buzzie Reutimann won a 150 lap race in 1971.[5] Frankie Schneider won eleven races total at the track, the most of any driver.

In 1971, the large track was closed, and would remain closed until facility was purchased by Lindy Vicari in 1982. Vicari cleared eleven years of plant growth, refurbished the facilities, and shortened the bigger track to a one-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval. His idea was to host a series of high-paying special events for USAC’s Championship Dirt Cars and Modifieds. The races that he staged there drew big crowds, large competition, and much acclaim.

Maintaining the two dirt tracks turned out to be a larger financial burden than expected, and Vicari closed the two tracks. Brightbill’s $50,000 victory in a 125-mile Modified contest on October 9, 1983, was the last race that was run there under Vicari’s direction.[7] The facility remained closed for three years.[4]

Paved track

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The facility and a large amount of property behind it was purchased by Roger Penske in 1986. Penske built a new track on the footprint of the old 11⁄8 mile dirt oval. At the same time, he sold the section of the property that held the old 1⁄2 mile track to the owners of Laneco, a former grocery store chain. Laneco built a new store on the site of the original track, which is now home to a Giant grocery store.

Penske's new track opened as Pennsylvania International Raceway in the fall of 1987. It was paved in asphalt, and had very modest banking. The elevation change during the lap was significant, as the backstretch ran steeply downhill for a drop of approximately 30 feet. The remainder of the track trekked mostly uphill. It was the first racing oval to feature a warm-up lane to enter and exit the pits, designed in part by driver Rick Mears. In 1993, the track was renamed Nazareth Speedway. In 1997, the facility underwent improvements, including a new retaining wall, catch fence, and new grandstands.

Track length of paved oval

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The paved track opened in 1987 and closely resembled the 1.125-mile dirt track layout. However, the length was shortened, and the turns were reconfigured to widen the radii. Though advertised as a 1-mile tri-oval, it actually measured less than one mile in length. The banking varied between 2.7° and 6.0°. The back straight was 1200 feet and main straight was 800 feet. Participants were known to exploit the inaccurate measurement for fuel strategy, knowing that they were running a shorter distance than officially advertised.

In 1997, for fairness and accuracy, the track was remeasured by the CART sanctioning body, and was advertised as 0.946 miles (1.52 km) in length. The race, which had been 200 laps, was increased to 225 laps for time value purposes. This length was used between 1997 and the last CART race in 2001.[8] The IRL used in 2002, 2003 and 2004 a length of 0.935 miles (1.504 km) for timing and scoring.[9] However, NASCAR stayed to a length of exactly 1 mile till closing in 2004.[10]

Closing

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Nazareth Speedway signage at Gate 2 along PA 191

Although the Nazareth Speedway hosted rather successful Busch Series and CART events, new owner ISC closed the facility in late 2004. The races were replaced with events at Watkins Glen, another ISC-owned track. Access to the speedway was severely limited, and reopening as a professional motorsports facility was highly unlikely. As of May 2007, the grandstands, signage and all visible structures at the racetrack have been removed. The disassembled grandstands were transported and erected at Watkins Glen and Michigan International Speedway. The track remains fenced off and access to any part of the track or land surrounding it is restricted. Historical Google Earth imagery shows that by May 2008, large piles of earth were erected at various points around the track to prevent use of the racing surface. Images as of September 2020 show those piles remain in place, though show signs of weathering.

Although the track closed in 2004, it is still featured in the EA Sports video games NASCAR SimRacing, NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup, NASCAR 06: Total Team Control, NASCAR 07, NASCAR 08 (PS2), and NASCAR 09 (PS2), which are based on the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 NASCAR seasons, respectively. For the 2006-2009 games, the track was considered a fantasy track.

Redevelopment

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In November 2015, Raceway Properties LLC purchased the property.[3] As part of the offer, there is a clause that states that racing remains banned from returning to the property.[11] The property is currently zoned as general commercial property, with the most recent plans being to convert sections to residential zoning and build a warehouse for local business, C. F. Martin & Company.[12]

Lap records

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The unofficial fastest all-time track record on the reconfigured 0.946-mile Oval is 0:18.419 seconds, set by Patrick Carpentier in a Reynard 98I, during qualifying for the 1998 Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix.[13] The fastest official race lap records at Nazareth Speedway are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Reconfigured Oval: 1.522 km (1987–2004)[13]
CART 0:19.514[14] Greg Moore Reynard 98I 1998 Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix
Indy Lights 0:22.635[15] Greg Moore Lola T93/20 1995 Nazareth Indy Lights round

Race winners

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USAC Championship Car Series

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Nazareth 100 (Dirt)

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CART/IRL Series

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Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix

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Main article: Firestone Indy 225

NASCAR Busch Series

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Main article: Goulds Pumps/ITT Industries 200

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

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DeVilbiss Superfinish 200

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  • 1996 Jack Sprague (Race shortened to 152 laps/152 miles due to rain)

NAPA AutoCare 200

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Chevy Silverado 200

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Main article: 2000 Chevy Silverado 200

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

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IROC

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Mark Knopfler wrote a song about a season of racing concluding at Nazareth Speedway titled "Speedway At Nazareth". The song appears on Knopfler's second solo album, Sailing to Philadelphia.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tatu, Christina. "Former Nazareth Speedway will always be 'home' to Mario Andretti". themorningcall.com. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  2. ^ Hart, Jay (28 Aug 2004). "The "Old Master' did it best". The Morning Call. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b Tatu, Christina (8 April 2016). "Developer David Jaindl buys former Nazareth Speedway". The Morning Call. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Berger-Carmen, Tracy (2013). Nazareth Speedway. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia. pp. 7–8. ISBN 978-1-4671-2048-7.
  5. ^ a b "Emil "Buzzie" Reutimann". Buzzie Reutimann - Reutimann Racing. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  6. ^ http://media.indycar.com/pdf/2011/IICS_2011_Historical_Record_Book_INT6.pdf Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine (p. 238-243)
  7. ^ "EMPA Hall of Fame-Lindy Vicari". Eastern Motorsport Press Association. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  8. ^ "2001 Lehigh Valley Grand Prix". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  9. ^ "2004 Firestone Indy 225". www.champcarstats.com. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  10. ^ "05/23/2004 race: Goulds Pumps / ITT Industries 200 (NXS) - Racing-Reference.info". www.racing-reference.info. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  11. ^ Falsone, Nick (13 April 2016). "What Nazareth Speedway's new owner can and can't build on site". lehighvalleylive. The Express Times. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  12. ^ Duffy, Kevin (24 August 2017). "Plans for Nazareth Speedway include multifamily housing, warehouse for Martin Guitar". The Morning Call. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Nazareth - Motorsport Magazine". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  14. ^ "1998 Nazareth Champ Cars". Motor Sport Magazine. 27 April 1998. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  15. ^ "1995 Nazareth Indy Lights". Motor Sport Magazine. 23 April 1995. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Nazareth Speedway". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  17. ^ "Forgotten Racing Song Friday: 'Speedway at Nazareth'". Autoweek. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
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