Post by bobsnyderphoto on Jul 23, 2009 2:48:50 GMT -5
West End Fair 3
For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Bob Snyder
bobsnyderphoto@enbter.net
American Dirt Track Auto Racing can trace it’s roots back to the hundreds of state, county, and local Fairs that dotted the countryside in the United States throughout the summer months. During the early 1930’s through the late 1960’s Open Wheel Dirt Track racing was king. NASCAR never came about until the late 1950’s and the Indianapolis 500 was the premier auto racing event in the world. All of the Indy Car drivers came from the local dirt tracks and it was very common after competing in the Indy 500 to head for the local dirt track that night and play in the dirt. This was an era of racecars without cages and drivers with open face helmets and t-shirts. Even after racing became big business and professional the drivers all professed their love for the dirt bull rings.
The Gilbert Speedway near the present day West End Fair Speedway also shared in these glory years. Many old timers in the area fondly reflect on the days when the roar of high speed racecars would pierce the summer air in a much less complex and simple time. The locals would long for the warm summer weekends when they would pack up the family and head to the speedway.
One of those locals was a man by the name of Roy Smith. Roy cut his eye teeth at the Gilbert Speedway for a short time as a driver. Soon after Roy realized that driving was not for him he became a builder and owner of racecars. This was a time when racecars did not come in a box. They were hauled out of a junkyard and the parts created and manufactured in the shop in the barn out behind the house. From this humble beginning Roy went on to become one of the most successful and famous modified stock car owners in the Northeast and at one time had many of the top drivers in the sport in his stable.
Sadly Roy “Pops” Smith is no longer with us and his loss is still being felt by all of us who knew and loved him. One thing that I am certain of is that on August 27th Roy will be looking down on the West End Fair Speedway with a big smile on his face and beaming with pride that his son Richie Smith, and partners Steve Heckman, and Rich Raidline have brought back Dirt Track Auto Racing to the area.
The 1/6 mile West End Fair Speedway will host the mighty 270 and 600 Micro-Sprints, Slingshots, and Stage One Modifieds. The entry lists are filling up to a whose who in the world of Micro, Slingshot, and Stage One Modified racing. The 3500 seat covered grandstand will be packed with screaming race fans along with the curious and new comers to the sport.
So plan to pack up the family, come early, take in the Fair, and as the sun sets and night falls the stars will shine not only in the heavens but on the clay of the West End Fair Speedway. This is THE event of the 2009 racing season you don’t want to miss and be a part of “History In The Making.”
For further information and entry lists go to www.westendfairnationals.com
Media Contact
Bob Snyder
bobsnyderphoto@enter.net
For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Bob Snyder
bobsnyderphoto@enbter.net
American Dirt Track Auto Racing can trace it’s roots back to the hundreds of state, county, and local Fairs that dotted the countryside in the United States throughout the summer months. During the early 1930’s through the late 1960’s Open Wheel Dirt Track racing was king. NASCAR never came about until the late 1950’s and the Indianapolis 500 was the premier auto racing event in the world. All of the Indy Car drivers came from the local dirt tracks and it was very common after competing in the Indy 500 to head for the local dirt track that night and play in the dirt. This was an era of racecars without cages and drivers with open face helmets and t-shirts. Even after racing became big business and professional the drivers all professed their love for the dirt bull rings.
The Gilbert Speedway near the present day West End Fair Speedway also shared in these glory years. Many old timers in the area fondly reflect on the days when the roar of high speed racecars would pierce the summer air in a much less complex and simple time. The locals would long for the warm summer weekends when they would pack up the family and head to the speedway.
One of those locals was a man by the name of Roy Smith. Roy cut his eye teeth at the Gilbert Speedway for a short time as a driver. Soon after Roy realized that driving was not for him he became a builder and owner of racecars. This was a time when racecars did not come in a box. They were hauled out of a junkyard and the parts created and manufactured in the shop in the barn out behind the house. From this humble beginning Roy went on to become one of the most successful and famous modified stock car owners in the Northeast and at one time had many of the top drivers in the sport in his stable.
Sadly Roy “Pops” Smith is no longer with us and his loss is still being felt by all of us who knew and loved him. One thing that I am certain of is that on August 27th Roy will be looking down on the West End Fair Speedway with a big smile on his face and beaming with pride that his son Richie Smith, and partners Steve Heckman, and Rich Raidline have brought back Dirt Track Auto Racing to the area.
The 1/6 mile West End Fair Speedway will host the mighty 270 and 600 Micro-Sprints, Slingshots, and Stage One Modifieds. The entry lists are filling up to a whose who in the world of Micro, Slingshot, and Stage One Modified racing. The 3500 seat covered grandstand will be packed with screaming race fans along with the curious and new comers to the sport.
So plan to pack up the family, come early, take in the Fair, and as the sun sets and night falls the stars will shine not only in the heavens but on the clay of the West End Fair Speedway. This is THE event of the 2009 racing season you don’t want to miss and be a part of “History In The Making.”
For further information and entry lists go to www.westendfairnationals.com
Media Contact
Bob Snyder
bobsnyderphoto@enter.net