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Msg ID: 2810850 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:Caddy Daddy
3/27/2024 8:38:06 PM

The Byrds and Richie Havens held a concert at Wall Stadium back in July 1971. This was followed by another concert featuring the Jefferson Airplane in August 1971. Let’s not forget the Grateful Dead playing at Raceway Park in September 1977 when 125,000 people were said to attend. What other type of events do you remember any of our local speedways hosting?.......county or state fairs don’t count!



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Msg ID: 2810852 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS Flemington     
Author:Rick Shive
3/27/2024 9:15:09 PM

Reply to: 2810850

I remember that Ross Perot held a presidential campaign event there.



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Msg ID: 2810865 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS Flemington     
Author:John Mc
3/28/2024 6:20:39 AM

Reply to: 2810852
I went to it.


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Msg ID: 2810906 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS Flemington     
Author:TURTLE#2
3/28/2024 7:19:13 PM

Reply to: 2810852

also Had a couple Concerts 2 off top of my head  was Bill Anderson  and Roy Druskey 

also we had our family reunion there a few times 



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Msg ID: 2810946 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS Flemington     
Author:TURTLE#2
3/29/2024 7:40:31 PM

Reply to: 2810906

and proabley best i remember was Lee Greenwood performing  to see him do that in person live 



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Msg ID: 2810860 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:George Perkins
3/27/2024 10:19:04 PM

Reply to: 2810850

This may have been the best use ever. O.B. drags were so much fun. Check out the crowd.





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Msg ID: 2810862 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:John Springsteel
3/27/2024 10:34:08 PM

Reply to: 2810860

That's the first pic I ever saw of Old Bridge drags. 
Wall had car cruises and slow drags. All car related stuff, though. 
My parents saw the Allman Bros at Trenton, I think. I saw an oldies benefit show at Englishtown. Larry Chance and the Earls, Speedo and the Cadillacs and many more. They lost their shirts. Bring a classic car and get in free. Everyone brought a classic car!

 The drive-in movies at Wall, oh yeah, that never happened  

 



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Msg ID: 2810870 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:kjeyres
3/28/2024 9:36:49 AM

Reply to: 2810862

Wall Stadium was home of the New Jersey Americans Soccer team in the mid to late 70's.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Americans_(soccer)  



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Msg ID: 2810871 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:kjeyres
3/28/2024 9:40:47 AM

Reply to: 2810870

New Jersey Americans.  Taken in turn 3-4 at Wall Stadium.  I remember when the grass got wet from the dew, when you hit the infield you sped up. Pretty scarey, guys would spin thru the infield and up the track pretty fast because you could'nt slow down!



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Msg ID: 2810873 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:kjeyres
3/28/2024 10:35:08 AM

Reply to: 2810871

From the inter web:

The New Jersey Americans were a professional soccer club that played for four seasons in the 2nd Division American Soccer League during the late 1970’s.  They shared a brand name with the short-lived New Jersey Americans (1967-1968) basketball team from the ABA, who eventually became the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA.

The Americans started out in 1976 at Wall Stadium, a 9,000-seater which was part of an auto racing track near Asbury Park.  In 1977, the team moved to Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway.  The Americans gained some minor (very minor) attention in 1978 by signing  a pair of aging former Benfica / Portuguese National Team legends of the 1960’s in Tony Simoes and Eusebio.

 

 </p>



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Msg ID: 2810874 Central Jersey Speedway    
Author:kjeyres
3/28/2024 10:37:45 AM

Reply to: 2810873

Mike Whittam's bachelor party on the start-finish line 1991. Now there's a story!



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Msg ID: 2810876 Ronald Reagan visit.     
Author:Lenny Swider
3/28/2024 11:06:21 AM

Reply to: 2810874

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW3wPcbcfLI    CLICK ON THIS YOUTUBE LINK.

Ronald Reagan once visited the Flemington Speedway on his campaign trail back in 1982. I was there and was interviewed by a cable company after his speech. I never did see it because cable was in it's infancy back then and no one had cable. This stage was behind the second turn back by the barns and back exit gate.



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Msg ID: 2810877 Chicago Concert at Nazareth    
Author:JCS3919
3/28/2024 11:12:36 AM

Reply to: 2810876

Nazareth National...Chicago concert early 70's...



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Msg ID: 2810885 Chicago Concert at Nazareth    
Author:3-Wide
3/28/2024 1:35:45 PM

Reply to: 2810877

(I wonder if "Nazareth" ever played in Chicago?)

Sorry, but I couldn't resist... I had to do it in case Ed L is lurking out there as he always has something to say whenever music/bands/concerts are involved.  Laughing



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Msg ID: 2810888 Chicago Concert at Nazareth    
Author:ED
3/28/2024 2:32:56 PM

Reply to: 2810885

I saw Grace Slick at Wall as the only time I've been there.  Was there mud wrestling at the Square? We're heading to NES Saturday to represent the Lehigh Valley.



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Msg ID: 2810889 Ed, was Big Ron with you?    
Author:John Mc
3/28/2024 2:36:16 PM

Reply to: 2810888
He's got a helluva story about that concert at Wall...seems he got a helluva view of Ms. Slick up close and personal...;^)


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Msg ID: 2810872 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:JB Lonewolf
3/28/2024 9:57:50 AM

Reply to: 2810850

I remember reading that in the 50's Wall was flooded and held boat races. Is that true? Never saw a picture.



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Msg ID: 2811011 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:RuCu
3/31/2024 12:54:13 PM

Reply to: 2810872
Not certain if Wall ever did, but Danbury definitely had boat races.


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Msg ID: 2810878 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS Pocono/ Ontario     
Author:elf30
3/28/2024 11:28:59 AM

Reply to: 2810850
Pocono had a big concert in the early 70's and Ontario motor speedway had the California Jam 1 and 2 concerts that were later televised on A.B.C.'s in concert series on late night t.v.


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Msg ID: 2810881 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS     
Author:D.Wolfe-358
3/28/2024 1:09:52 PM

Reply to: 2810878

Orange County Fair Speedway under the Glenn Donelly era put up the stage for concerts. 

Englishtown still has the Swap Meets each year. The Spring meet is on April 12-14. 



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Msg ID: 2810882 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS     
Author:Winkler 75
3/28/2024 1:20:50 PM

Reply to: 2810881

Pleasantville Speedway I believe had drag racing on front straight on Friday nights John Vonhess was a winner in drag racing and also circle track - any pictures Shawn?



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Msg ID: 2810887 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS     
Author:bpletcher
3/28/2024 2:21:28 PM

Reply to: 2810882

hatfield speedway and langhorne speedway both had a drag stip and ran drags 



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Msg ID: 2810892 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS     
Author:John Springsteel
3/28/2024 3:27:54 PM

Reply to: 2810887

Englishtown had all kinds of stuff. Jet ski races in the pond. The Warp Tour concerts were there for years. But, that place could have 6 things going on at once. What a loss. 



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Msg ID: 2811013 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS     
Author:RuCh
3/31/2024 1:02:17 PM

Reply to: 2810892
Agree with John on the loss of Etown. Saw 4 different events on 4 different tracks in 1 day for 1 admission (a very reasonable 10 or 12 bucks) 1/4 m drags, separate 1/8m drags in the back of the pits, go kart road course, and then they set up the oval for the Microstocks.


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Msg ID: 2810890 Winkler 75    
Author:carguyspm
3/28/2024 2:54:32 PM

Reply to: 2810882

As requested. Here is a photo of Jon Von Hess in 1979 at Pleasantville




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Msg ID: 2811012 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS     
Author:RuCu
3/31/2024 12:56:47 PM

Reply to: 2810881
OCFS had professional wrestling. The ring was set up right on the front stretch, pre stage days. Don't know if they ever had wrestling up on the stage.


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Msg ID: 2810896 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:3-Wide
3/28/2024 4:23:23 PM

Reply to: 2810850

I don't know if it was tied in with the State Fair or not (I don't think so), but I had a school class trip to Trenton Speedway from Dayton Elementary School (late 60's?) and saw a high wire act - Sat right there in the large grandstand with the stage area between the bottom of the stands and the track, right in front of us.



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Msg ID: 2810913 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:Sprint93
3/29/2024 12:13:35 AM

Reply to: 2810896

Joe, as a young child growing up in the 60's, I remember going to Trenton several times over the years to see the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus.



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Msg ID: 2810897 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:G-force
3/28/2024 4:24:29 PM

Reply to: 2810850

I was told by someone that Old Bridge Stadium Speedway was used for his high school graduation ceremony when he graduated from South River, NJ. That must have been cool !



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Msg ID: 2810898 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:indy-legs
3/28/2024 5:02:54 PM

Reply to: 2810897

Langhorne Speedway had a rodeo there in 1956. Video on YouTube.



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Msg ID: 2811015 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:RuCu
3/31/2024 1:05:21 PM

Reply to: 2810897
I saw a picture on the internet somewhere of Old Bridge having that graduation.


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Msg ID: 2810899 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:Kevin Mc
3/28/2024 5:40:59 PM

Reply to: 2810850
EWS had a concert with several acts around 1978 or 79. It was a train wreck of an event as I recall and management promised there would be no more concerts at the track. I recall reading in the local paper one concert goer ended up driving their car on the track. Windsor also held a carnival or fair in the parking lot at least once in the 1970s. We never went but I can remember going down Airport Rd. and seeing it all set up. I think they may have had one other concert there in the very early 70s. We did go see one of the soccer games at Wall Stadium. My Brothers were into soccer. I got an autograph from the basketball player Bob Cousy at the game. He was league commissioner. I don't remember that part, I had to look up how he was connected to the soccer team that played at Wall.


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Msg ID: 2810904 Kevin    
Author:kjeyres
3/28/2024 6:29:08 PM

Reply to: 2810899

They were a part of the New Jersey Americans which became the Nets in th ABA and than the NBA.  Good friend of mine' s father owned the team so we went to most games.  Even got to sit up in the tower which was really cool because on Saturdays that was the ivory tower no one was allowed in!   



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Msg ID: 2810901 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:raceasauruss
3/28/2024 6:12:10 PM

Reply to: 2810850

New Egypt had the Trucker protest rally 2 yrs ago

 



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Msg ID: 2810903 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:car45racing
3/28/2024 6:25:23 PM

Reply to: 2810901

Back in 1994, I saw Metallica at OCFS. Great concert.



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Msg ID: 2810905 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:John Springsteel
3/28/2024 6:46:09 PM

Reply to: 2810903

Didnt the old NES have mud bogs? I don't know where. 



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Msg ID: 2810908 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:Caddy Daddy
3/28/2024 7:27:50 PM

Reply to: 2810905

Pretty sure the old NES mud bogs were out beyond turns 1 and 2, back near the motocross track.



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Msg ID: 2810909 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:CLC3367
3/28/2024 7:35:21 PM

Reply to: 2810850

Well, technically not an event hosted at an operating speedway, but prior to construction of Flemington Speedway the property was known as Camp Fair Oaks.  In 1862 my great great grandfather mustered there to enlist with the 15th NJ Volunteers for the Civil War.  Interestingly, another soldier who mustered there was named Paul Kuhl (same name as subsequent track promoter) who later became a Sergeant and KIA.   



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Msg ID: 2810917 Mud Hops    
Author:kjeyres
3/29/2024 8:17:11 AM

Reply to: 2810909

We held them on the infield. What a mess! Also had an auto cross where you raced a dirt and asphalt combined course. 

There is a photo out there when Tony Siscone went off the track on the front stretch and into the mud. I remember hearing the frame got bent and Dick Barney was pissed.



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Msg ID: 2810918 Mud Hops    
Author:John Springsteel
3/29/2024 8:44:52 AM

Reply to: 2810917

Yeah, that's what I remember hearing about, mud hops. I heard vw sand rails did well. 



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Msg ID: 2810921 Mud Hops    
Author:76kid
3/29/2024 10:44:50 AM

Reply to: 2810918
Didn't Grandview have snowmobile races?


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Msg ID: 2810935 Thought of another     
Author:Kevin Mc
3/29/2024 4:30:36 PM

Reply to: 2810921
Hickory Speedway does a Christmas carnival every December. Lots of vendors and whatnot. My wife rented a space in 2022 and did pretty well selling her soaps. I think they had fireworks too that night. It got chilly but they had a fire going


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Msg ID: 2810936 Thought of another     
Author:John Springsteel
3/29/2024 4:42:20 PM

Reply to: 2810935

I know still probably considered racing. But, Langley during the week does Timed Attacks.  Street cars run a lap by themselves or two cars with their own lanes compete for one lap. They have staggered start and finish lines to avoid door to door racing. 



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Msg ID: 2810939 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:LarryJ
3/29/2024 5:14:54 PM

Reply to: 2810909

Lanham Speedway in Maryland near D.C. held this Hillbilly Jamboree on Oct. 16, 1954. It was held a few weeks after the last Stock Car race at the track.




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Msg ID: 2810942 Tesla at Orange County    
Author:rchanna
3/29/2024 5:58:41 PM

Reply to: 2810850

https://youtu.be/GuEP4oIaUpM?si=LTAGfhyj9EqMiMej



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Msg ID: 2810943 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:Old51
3/29/2024 6:25:09 PM

Reply to: 2810850

Circle M Ranch Speedway also held rodeos back in the 50's

 



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Msg ID: 2810949 OTHER USES OF OUR TRACKS    
Author:B Foder
3/29/2024 10:42:36 PM

Reply to: 2810850
Remember going to Wiessglass to a rodeo back in the early 60s.After rodeo they had an invitational race with 10 of the Staten Island drivers.This was done to show those who never came to races the excitement that was provided. Thought this was a good way of promoting the weekly races.


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Msg ID: 2810953 Demo Derbys at Wall...    
Author:Frank A Jr.
3/30/2024 6:44:20 AM

Reply to: 2810850
The Wall infield would used for Demos. As for the NJ Americans, a couple of the players were staying in a house down the street from me. Got to kick the ball around with them...


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Msg ID: 2810955 Demo Derbys at Wall...    
Author:kjeyres
3/30/2024 7:58:28 AM

Reply to: 2810953

They had a few local guys on the team to probably get local fans. 



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Msg ID: 2811063 Smokey Mountain Speedway.    
Author:redfred
4/1/2024 7:04:45 PM

Reply to: 2810955
Friday-Saturday,
May 3-4

SMOKY MOUNTAIN RODEO
Presented by the "Hedrick Rodeo Company"
Vendors, Bounce House, Food Trucks, Full Concessions, & Indoor Restrooms!

Get Tickets! Get Tickets!
Grandstands ONLY Open at 5:00pm
Face Painting from 5:30-7:30pm
Show Starts at 7:00pm

KIDS Dress Like a Rodeo Clown
Mutton Bustin' $25.00 (During Intermission)
* MAX Weight of 60 Pounds for Mutton Bustin' & Must Sign Waiver
Adults: $20.00 (Presale $15.00)
Ages 5-12: $10.00
Ages 4 & Under: FREE

 


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