One would have a very hard time trying to find the actual location of the fabled Langhorne Speedway as it was back some 60 plus years ago. The area is completely built up, and if perchance a visitor to this website can place the race track in relation to the terrain today, we would be eternally grateful. I seem to remember that it wasn't too far from the new Levittown that sprung up during that era.
6 comments:
Sally Logan Gilman
said...
Hi Tom:I think you are pretty much on target. I went with friends many times but could not tell you exactly where it was. I was fun and always a popular spot. Regards
HI TOM....WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO AFFORD PAYING TO GET IN SO WE SAW THE RACES FROM A TREE BY THE TRACK. I RECALL MY BROTHER LOU ONE TIME LOSE HIS BREATH FROM CLIMBING AND I HAD TO HOLD ON TO HIM FOR AWHILE. I CAN'T RECALL IF THE TRACK WAS PAVED OR JUST DIRT. BEST REGARDS.
Hi Tom, Langhorne Speedway was always advertised, as the fastest mile on the East Coast. It was a dirt track until the mid sixties. It was paved and closed a few years later. The land became too valuable, and was sold for a shopping mall. I think there may be a Sam's Club on the property. There is nothing left to identify the track, but there is a marker in front of McCafferty Ford, on Route 1. I have the distinction of having raced there, unfortunately very unceremoniously in the infield. In 1958, they opened a 1/8th mile drag strip, in the center of the speedway. Upon reaching the finish line, there was little time to stop. I ran my 1950 Chevrolet there a couple of times, running against straight eight Pontiacs, Buicks, and flathead Ford V8s. Eventually, would be thrashed by a Buick, driven by a guy named Stroker Slim, from Philadelphia. I saw some NASCAR races, at the track, including races won by the Carl Kiekheifer, Mercury Outboard sponsored, Chrysler 300s. They were unbeatable. This was 1955 thru 1957. I saw Fireball Roberts in a convertible race, when that series ran there. Great memories of a great race track. rayfromvillapark
The track was located right on Rt.1 on the easterly side, or the northbound side whatever. It was located directly across from Ralph Reedman's super auto dealership. The shopping center built on the tract had as it's first tenant "Leavitt Furniture" which was "Warehouse" type store with merchandise stacked high to the ceilings. Fairless Hills was located a few miles North of the site, and Levittown was is East of Fairless Hills. I was taken to the races there as a youngster, to meet a famous car builder with by the name of "Kuzma" He is enshired in the Indy car hall of fame. I think many of us early drivers will remember "Greenwood Dairy" where if you finished the "Pig trough"? you got it for free.
The track was at the intersection of what is now Business Route 1 and Woodburne Road in Langhorne, across the highway from the Reedman's auto dealership. The Sam's Club covers the northern end of the circular track which extended down into what is now a wooded area. Nothing is left of the track itself. Aerial photo of track at http://www.midstateantiquestockcarclub.com/langhorne_speedway.html
6 comments:
Hi Tom:I think you are pretty much on target. I went with friends many times but could not tell you exactly where it was. I was fun and always a popular spot. Regards
HI TOM....WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO AFFORD PAYING TO GET IN SO WE SAW THE RACES FROM A TREE BY THE TRACK. I RECALL MY BROTHER LOU ONE TIME LOSE HIS BREATH FROM CLIMBING AND I HAD TO HOLD ON TO HIM FOR AWHILE. I CAN'T RECALL IF THE TRACK WAS PAVED OR JUST DIRT. BEST REGARDS.
Hi Tom, Langhorne Speedway was always advertised, as the fastest mile on the East Coast. It was a dirt track until the mid sixties. It was paved and closed a few years later. The land became too valuable, and was sold for a shopping mall. I think there may be a Sam's Club on the property. There is nothing left to identify the track, but there is a marker in front of McCafferty Ford, on Route 1. I have the distinction of having raced there, unfortunately very unceremoniously in the infield. In 1958, they opened a 1/8th mile drag strip, in the center of the speedway. Upon reaching the finish line, there was little time to stop. I ran my 1950 Chevrolet there a couple of times, running against straight eight Pontiacs, Buicks, and flathead Ford V8s. Eventually, would be thrashed by a Buick, driven by a guy named Stroker Slim, from Philadelphia. I saw some NASCAR races, at the track, including races won by the Carl Kiekheifer, Mercury Outboard sponsored, Chrysler 300s. They were unbeatable. This was 1955 thru 1957. I saw Fireball Roberts in a convertible race, when that series ran there. Great memories of a great race track. rayfromvillapark
The track was located right on Rt.1 on the easterly side, or the northbound side whatever. It was located directly across from Ralph Reedman's super auto dealership.
The shopping center built on the tract had as it's first tenant "Leavitt Furniture" which was "Warehouse" type store with merchandise stacked high to the ceilings. Fairless Hills was located a few miles North of the site, and Levittown was is East of Fairless Hills.
I was taken to the races there as a youngster, to meet a famous car builder with by the name of "Kuzma"
He is enshired in the Indy car hall of fame. I think many of us early drivers will remember "Greenwood Dairy" where if you finished the "Pig trough"? you got it for free.
Happy Days all
Mike Kuzma
SOMEWHERE IN MY MOUNTAIN OF MEMORABILIA, I STILL MIGHT HAVE THAT "I WAS A PIG AT GREEDWOOD DAIRIES" PIN.
TOM GLOVER
The track was at the intersection of what is now Business Route 1 and Woodburne Road in Langhorne, across the highway from the Reedman's auto dealership. The Sam's Club covers the northern end of the circular track which extended down into what is now a wooded area. Nothing is left of the track itself. Aerial photo of track at http://www.midstateantiquestockcarclub.com/langhorne_speedway.html
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