Lost Jacksonville: The Story of Speedway Park

[Metro Jacksonville]

Lost Jacksonville: The Story of Speedway Park





Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-nov-lost-jacksonville-the-story-of-speedway-park

[Tacachale]

Wendell Scott and his famous 1963 win deserve a story of their own. Scott was actually the first black driver in NASCAR, receiving his license sometime before 1954 and entering his first NASCAR race on February 19, 1954 in Daytona (he didn't finish). In 1961 he moved up to the Grand National Series, the circuit now called the Sprint Cup, NASCAR's top level. He wasn't the first black driver in the Grand National but he is still one of only a handful ever to compete in the circuit.

According to a biography about Scott, Hard Driving by Brian Donovan, the win at Speedway Park was actually acknowledged and re-awarded later that night after a review, and he was given the $1000 prize. To his credit, Buck Baker didn't fight the decision and was happy enough to see Scott get the check. However, several others said that Baker made off with the trophy, which was never seen again. Baker denied he had anything to do with it for the rest of his life. It's an enduring mystery that may never be solved.

Scott did get a trophy for the race. A few weeks later in Savannah NASCAR held a ceremony for him. The officials delivered a backhanded account that emphasized that Petty and other drivers broke down, downplaying Scott's accomplishment. The replacement trophy was a cheap piece of wood with no inscription that eventually broke. When Scott got to his car he found his tires slashed.

Scott retired from racing in 1973 and there were no further black drivers in NASCAR until Willy T. Ribbs competed in a few races in 1986. In 2010 the Jacksonville Stock Car Hall of Fame decided to give Scott's family a replacement trophy. They spent months trying to find the original, then they researched other trophies awarded that year and had a new one made. They also made a replica of his car and held a ceremony in his honor at a race at Golden Isles Speedway. NASCAR inducted him into its Hall of Fame this year.

I wonder what became of that replica car created by the Jacksonville Stock Car Hall of Fame. It would make a cool exhibit at that new car museum coming to Regency Mall.
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[spuwho]

The link to the story is coming up broken. I am getting a 404.

[thelakelander]

Try the link now.

[mbwright]

any details on the car museum at Regency?

[coredumped]

The TU did a good article on this too if anyone wants more info:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-06-27/story/1963-nascar-controversy-racing-or-race

[thelakelander]

any details on the car museum at Regency?

An article from the other day:

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-11-02/story/jacksonvilles-first-auto-museum-moving-empty-store-regency-square

[Tom Rose]

Here is a Jacksonville Speedway story told to me by by Bobby Hill. Bobby was an AMA(American Motorcycle Assoc) National Champion and 1954 Daytona 200 winner riding a BSA. He raced an Indian as a member of the famous Indian Wrecking Crew.  I mentioned the Jacksonville Speedway to him, his eyes light up and the excitement showed in his voice as he recalled the long ago race.....

Jacksonville, FL 1954: "I remember the Jacksonville track very well. It was a ½ mile banked clay track that was very fast.  We always raced at Jacksonville the week before Daytona. This was a 10 mile (20 lap) National. I was running well in 2nd place right on the back wheel of Paul Albrect who was leading, riding a Harley. About the 10th lap it started to rain. It wasn't a heavy rain, just a mist. The groove started to get slippery. Albrect stayed in that groove but I moved out into the rougher surface. The rough dirt absorbed the water and was not as slick. Paul slipped down about lap 17 and I went on to win the Jacksonville National." 

note: Bobby was riding his Indian Sport Scout in this race.

[Tim Cowan]

I spent lots of time at this track from 1958 until closing in 1976.  After it closed, much of the clay track was dug up and trucked to the Pecan Park track on the northside of Jax. I lived about two miles from the track and even when I couldn't attend races, I could hear the roar of the engines when the wind was blowing my way.  I even went to the track on Wednesday afternoons when the place was open for practice runs and testing. I was there also on the day that Wendall Scott took his win.  Today, at seventy, I still count short-track auto racing as my favorite sport and past-time.  TIM COWAN

[Tacachale]

^Awesome history guys, thank you.

[melvina]

The article says that Speedy Spiers still has a shop on the Eastside. Does anyone know what the name is or where it's located?

[johncb]

I grew up going to this track. My dad and uncle had a car they raced for years called the " 8 Ball " . It was driven by a guy named Junior Green. I haven't thought about that track in 30 years! Lots of memories.

[Scovillsr]

Just found this site my daddy raced the old Jax speedway for years

[Scovillsr]

Anybody around