Last week we looked at my top 10 favorite tracks of all time, this week is a track bucket list of sorts. Now don’t get me wrong, there isn’t a race track on the Earth that if I haven’t seen, that I don’t want to see. Following are 10 tracks paired down from a very long list of tracks I haven’t seen. Yet that is…..

1) Eldora Speedway (Ohio) This ½ mile of dirt is a mecca for all dirt racing fans. I have seen it many times on television, but I can’t wait to see it in person for the first time. It doesn’t matter what’s racing, just that I get there. Earl Baltes did an unbelievable job with this place, and now Tony Stewart continues that legacy.

2) Knoxville Raceway (Iowa) Another dirt mecca, this historic place is a ½ mile on the bottom; and 5/8 mile around the top. Best known for sprint cars, the track has also hosted some pretty big scale late model races also. Someday I will make it to either the Knoxville Nationals, either the sprint car version or the late model version. Maybe both.

3) Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indiana) History. Although I am not a big fan of the super speedways, the history of this place and its importance to American racing is second to none. I’m sure the ghosts of racings past can always be felt walking through Gasoline Alley. I’ve heard the museum is pretty incredible also…

4) Slinger Super Speedway (Wisconsin) The name of this track is a bit misleading, as this track is actually very small. ¼ of a mile asphalt to be exact, but it is also high banked and very fast. I have heard tremendous things about the action at this speedway, so perhaps the name is truly fitting.

5) Oswego Speedway (New York) This asphalt is very well known for the incredible speeds achieved there by the super modified’s. The super modifieds are very sleek, low slung with big wings on them and are in a word amazing. I have heard that these cars approach 180 mph on this 5/8 mile asphalt track. Makes this a must see track for sure.

6) Rockford Speedway (Illinois) Another ¼ mile asphalt track, this is also a facility that I have read volumes about. Any track that has a four day racing festival (the National Short Track Championships) is pretty cool in my books. With 22 degrees of banking this place sounds pretty darn good.

7) Williams Grove Speedway (Pennsylvania)  This track is a bastion for the tough sprint car racing that goes on in this state. A big ½ mile of dirt, it hosts some pretty big events for both sprint cars and late models. A couple of years ago I was actually enroute to this track but mother nature derailed my plans. Someday I’ll get there.

8) Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl (Vermont) Another ¼ asphalt track with a wall called the “Widow Maker”, and a late model race called the “Milk Bowl” where the winner kisses a cow. Co-owned by stalwarts Ken Squier and Tom Curley, this is another place I have been to the gates of, just to have mother nature intervene. Grrrrrr!

9) Oxford Plains Speedway (Maine)   A 3/8 mile asphalt track located way up north, has a ton of history associated with it. It has hosted Nationwide Series races, way back before the series was called that. The speedway’s major event is called the TD Bank 250, and the list of drivers who have run this event is one of the most impressive of any event in the nation. This year’s winner was none other than Kyle Busch, who also won the Pass North 150 for super late models the night before as well. Gotta get up there someday.

10) Kalamazoo Speedway (Mi.) A 3/8 mile asphalt speedway with a premier division called outlaw late models. This division takes me back to the early 80’s, when aerodynamics was being highly utilized in asphalt late model racing; these things look really cool. The track has a couple of signature events for this division, such as the Kalamazoo Clash and the Call of the Wild. The latter has very little rules whatsoever, with huge lexan sideboards and wings the norm; and the biggest part of the event is to see just how fast they can get around this bull ring. This year Andy Bozell amazed everyone in attendance with a world record (for a 3/8 mile track) of 10.020. Now that’s hauling the mail…

Honorable mentions: Perris Auto Speedway (CA), Stafford Motor Speedway (CT), Indianapolis Raceway Park (now Lucas Oil Raceway Park), Wall Stadium (N.J.), Devil’s Bowl Speedway (TX)

I want to take a second and wish everyone happy holidays. I will be out of town for Christmas, so look for my next entry at New Year’s.

Until then keep the shiny side up, and be safe in your travels….

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