Orlando Midget Speedway

[ancrdave]

This is a photo from Orlando Midget Speedway in 1948... The track was built specifically for Midget racing and did not actually host stock cars until about 1953 when it became simply known as Orlando Speedway, then, in 1964, was changed to Orlando Raceway. It ran through the 1973 season before the land was sold... Located about 1/3 mile east of U. S. 441 (South Orange Blossom Trail) on Landstreet Road near where the Florida Turnpike now crosses SOBT... This was my Friday night "hangout" from 1963-1970.

[egspeedway]

I still have a program from a midget race at that track.Some of the memorable entries were Bill Schindler,Dutch Schaefer,Ted Tappett, Art Cross, Al Keller,Len Duncan Tony Bonadies Gene Force and Dick Shuelbruk. I came away from that track as a life long Al Keller fan and was in hog heaven when he ran the Eau Gallie Speedway for a brief period when my aunt and uncle were part owners.

[AB195]

Neat photo. Those huge 40 foot tall poles along the front stretch, other than one speaker i see, what are they doing there? Not holding any lights, maybe a catch-fence; and if that's the case, those 2 by 12 wooden planks at knee-high level sure wouldn't stop a car, by any means.