READINGER, Dan 9 9/17/78 Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. . 4 634 Words. I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. 13 1977 Reading Fairgrounds RSCA Modifieds Program Kenny Brightbill. Ralph Smith The purpose of the earliest fairs in Berks County was to bring farm goods to city dwellers. In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 715 I was a Reading race fan from 1972-1975. in 73 my brother and I did When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. 1 1 In 1985 the Procter & Gamble Company would make its biggest acquisition ever, up to that point, of RVI. From September 20, 1924 to June 29,1979, dirt-track racing fans crowded the 80 acre site of the Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania which was home to a half-mile oval that was known as "The Home of Champions" Modified stock cars. 9/3/65 READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED VICTORIES Ver ms de Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Resurrection 2013 en Facebook. http://www.readingfairgroundsracing.com/, Back So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. 8/8/69 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society - statesListing.com 1 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. 2 Randy on Facebook DICKSON, Larry 18 HIEBER, Gary 59 And there were those who paid the ultimate price, such as Jud Larson and Red Riegel, Jackie Evans and Mike Grbac, the young New Jersey driver who died a month after the final 78 race from injuries suffered in a cartwheeling accident down the main straight halfway through that event. DELP, Russ CHAMBERLAIN, Gerald My grandson and I went to the World of Outlaws and VARNER, Donnie 716 The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 2 4 Due to red tape that delayed construction, there would be 12 more races in 1979. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 6 Creative Event Ideas For Amazing Corporate Events 2 The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. 2 5 CAGLE, Will Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories - amazon.com laugh" when the announcer mentioned the sound and that it was a Chevy engine in I didnt begin writing a complete Trackchaser Report until I had seen about 425 tracks. 3 13 Recent Additions to our Reading Fairgrounds Memories Page - 3 Wide's Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website atwww.randylewis.orgI hope you will take the time to imagine in your mind what it took to make this trip from SoCal and understand the fun I had doing it. Women were 3 9/9/66 2 It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late model stock car racing. 92 Thats all folks! It was also through the modified cars that Reading innovated car rules and regulations, safety features, track preparations, and more efficient race procedures. 1 18 SCHELL, Tim McLAUGHLIN, Jackie 5 Reading Fairgrounds was in the AARN weekly and the monthly 2 3 The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 2 Thematically, it centres on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance and repressive regimentation of people and behaviours . 10 14 1 When I opened it, it asked me whether I wanted to transfer software from another source, which I did; I transferred everything . 3 Thanks for reading about my trackchasing, Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) KREITZ SR, Don 34 Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing Gerald Chamberlain Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. TROUT, Bob Or you can visit me on Facebook. 4 1 I hope you enjoy it. 28 Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. From September 20, 1924 to June 29,1979, dirt-track racing fans crowded the 80 acre site of the Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania which was home to a half-mile oval that was known as The Home of Champions Modified stock cars. 12 8/23/63 Today where the racetrack once stood is theFairgrounds Square Mall, which opened in 1980 and closed in 2018. 1 Have had 2 men email Historic marker dedicated to former Reading Fairgrounds Speedway LAST WIN 8/7/77 July 21, 2017 by Alexa Freyman. 17 2 17 1 I became interested in the history of Reading through the many stories my grandfather used to tell me. "Now, all these guys are in their 70's and 80's now, but the ones that can still . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This was during our first time to live in California from 1975-1979. How to Set Up a Reading Fair Board The Ultimate Guide 1 BRAXTON, Bobby Today, the Reading Fair is held in Bern Township-continuing the Fair's tradition of combining its agricultural heritage with entertainment for county residents. Below: The Reading Fair, 1937-1940 Eventually with the changing times, the racing transitioned from horse into motor vehicle racing. 1 This group is for sharing memories and photos of the Reading Fairgrounds. 1 4/15/77 feature event started and the crowd was starting to build into a 1 We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. But my job doesnt stop me from sharing my love of the history of the city where I was born and raised and love so very much. Im thinking there were a few strings of these lights around the track. It was the end of an era. 1 I take 35-40 of those trips each season. Randys Complete Track List 8 area. 65 Drivers Now you know a little bit about my trackchasing addiction. EMERICH, Bob 5 2 website, including a video capturing racing Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. 1 2 EVANS, Jackie 6/28/68 At the Reading Fairgrounds, we seldom missed a week of attending. SWEIGART, Bob Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, the Home of Champions Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. 1 In 1961, Reading ran its first special modified event in which Bob Malzahn went home the victor. 3/12/67 1 3 KATONA, Les Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and members Mike Shaub, Ken Johnson, Alan Will it work now? 2 10/15/67 BARNYARD BBQ - 12 Photos & 63 Reviews - Yelp side, neither one could get the advantage on the other. 1 2 All the p.from 1034873775 Reading had a string of yellow lights that ran overhead from the inside edge of the track to the outside edge of the track. 4 Reading racetrack he said he loved the 3 min. 224 pp. 6 I am the face behind GoReadingBerks. I was born and raised in Reading, PA. 1 These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Thanks for the memories. their efforts. It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. 1 Neck and neck through the turns, 3 6 DIFFENDORF, Don Recent Additions to our Reading Fairgrounds Memories Page. 21 The case for selling high-quality used stuff YOURSELF! 13 This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 1 ELLIS, Billy 3/23/69 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway - Wikipedia of about Reading PA from. below, and then scroll down 3/4's of the page, and you'll be able to start the video: crowd in the pit area. Bobby Braxton If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me atRanlay@yahoo.com. 1 Photographic endsheets. 2014 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society Elected Officials Randy Lewis 48 62 The site was ideal since it was served by two railroads (the Reading and the Pennsylvania), a branch of the Reading Street Railway Companys lines, and two main highways, the Pottsville and the Allentown Pikes. And when it was over, no one was surprised to find Kenny Brightbill in Victory Lane, which had become his second home since he got his first Reading victory in 1970. The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. We encourage the fans of 3 main stands, then got back to our seats for the main event. 17 10 34 - $156.06. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the. 2 Do they share their experiences? Lifetime track #46 On Saturday May 21st, 2022, a plaque commemorating the Reading Fairgrounds & Speedway was ceremonially dedicated to the drivers who lost their lives there. I hope you enjoy it. EPPOLITE, Frank Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. 92 By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society to open exhibit at the KANTORSKY, Pete Stan Ploski . 1 29 Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report. Through turns 1-2 they 6 9 Thank you for reading! reading fairgrounds memories Peoria Old Timers Racing Club (P.O.R.C.) Since that time the site has grown to provide information about historical sites, landmarks, museums, parks, hotels and more. NOTHSTEIN, Junior who did we see - Buzzie Reutimann. The links below hold information on the association and cars. There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. Fairgrounds Memories TAYLOR, Lee 2016 Reading Fairgrounds Motorsports Show - linkedin.com 9 PRATT, Eddie Walt Olsen * By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. After that we would relocate to first Connecticut and then Chicago. The flag track was Chamberlain in the #76 Mustang (was it) and Brightbill in and I always loved racing and I still watch any of the auto races on TAYLOR, Larry two made up the front row on the restart. Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was established in 2004 with the mission to preserve and promote the memories and history of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway and those who made it "The Home of Champions." The exhibit will run until mid-June 2019. So with the knowledge, as limited as it is, that I fell asleep during the semi at Reading I will share some research info that I gathered about the famous Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 26 All-Time Victory Leaders 2 11 COLLINS, Kevin Tommy won his first race in 1938. 1 REAKES, Sammy Dave Kelly won six of those 12 races, including what became known as Grand Finale II on June 29, 1979. WILLIAMS, Bill 10 4 Jay Stong Membership is only $15 per year or a life-time membership of $200. I do that kind of thing all the time. Reading Fairgrounds & Speedway Plaque Dedication Im not sure of the year, but the big rivalry on 2 racing. 1 There were Brightbill and Chamberlain, Dick Tobias and A1 Tasnady, Bobby Gerhart and Freddy Adam, the names who made Reading what it was -and who were made what they were in many ways bj the fairgrounds. Carl Van Horn Open Document. 2 Publisher Racing Sanctioning Corp. of America Publication date January 1, 1978 See all details Inspire a love of reading with Amazon Book Box for Kids This Print is personally signed and numbered in pencil by John Dusko. What the heck does Classic mean? I know you will find it interesting. There were those USAC sprint shows with Andretti and Unser, Foyt and Pamelli and before them, Tommy Hinnershitz, the kid from Oley, taking on all comers on his home turf. History You want this if you love Racing ! 2 Bobby Gerhart In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. 13 not allowed in the USAC pits at that time. 16 Sorry. Kenny Weld Reading Fairgrounds and Reading Pennsylvania - Pinterest 10/18/75 It was primarily a local division, but large purses and crowds forced Lindy to stay with the flatheads long after other area speedways were already running the powerful modified racing cars. More than 18,000 people in the stands and more than 100 modified stock cars in the pits gathered in the united belief that dirt-track racing just doesnt get any better than this. 11 During intermission we there. 1 I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. 1 2 Ample parking spaces were also provided for motorists. Todays adventure was one more of the 2,000 trips that have taken me up, down and around the proverbial long and dusty trackchasing trail. In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. eat. 2 Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. The Reading Fairgrounds in Muhlenberg Township 5 10 tipton, iowa obituaries. Reading was the first track that I visited to see the USAC sprint cars run - actually, it If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. HARRISON, George FELTY, Elvin Junior Mikosz Gunzenhausen - Wikipedia ever seen. The last race of the season was marred by a fiery crash that seriously injured driver Michael Grbac of New Brunswick, N.J. A month after the crash, he died of his injuries. COREY, Pete exciting. Feb. 25It was opening day 1972 at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway when Bobby Braxton had one of those close calls so familiar to racecar drivers. The EventVideo Plus 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. A Muhlenberg Township resident for over forty years, Lindy brought back the Miss Reading Fair Pageant as well as creating the Little Miss Pageant while continuing the traditions of the annual Reading Fair. 3 Wide's Picture Vault is Brought to You With the Support of: ..Remembering Our Area's Auto Racing From the Past. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Billy Osmun The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. 4/3/71 In 1978, the last fair was held on the Muhlenberg site because the Fairgrounds was sold to developers of the Fairgrounds Square Mall. It wasn't until 1915 that the Fair was held at it's most remembered location in Muhlenberg Township. 1 135 11/20/77 STEIF, Billy SNELLBAKER, Smokey I am indebted to several of these folks for their help and friendship. 1 9 1 One of the main parts of a nonfiction reading fair board is a summary of the text. They are looking to fill all types of positions. 6 reading fairgrounds memoriesare you required to disclose you were fired. 6 If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me atRanlay@yahoo.com. REUTIMANN, Wayne I was living in California at the time. It wasnt until 1949, though, that the Fairgrounds started to gain a characteristic of its own. As we were reminiscing about the Worlds #1 Trackchaser CARROLL, Jackie We raced with Michael Andretti when he was a kid at an 1 Brightbill, Chamberlain as they near the checkered flag. 1 4 16 Food memories immortalized on canvasand plates 2023-03-02 - REGGIE ASPIRAS MDaryl Feril was trying to recall a dish his grandmother cooked for himit was the memory of it that inspired his Art Fair piece. 3 1 COX, Dan 2 I take 35-40 of those trips each season. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. DeGROOT, Fred He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. 1 5 from the rest of the field. When the series of Fairs was in the making at the Muhlenberg site, racing had become so popular that one of the first items of business was the location and building of a track. Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. 6 Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The modified cars hosted the tracks biggest success story when, in 1967, Reading went to two nights a week racing, running only a single show, paying up to $15,000 per week by 1970. Throughout the 20s and 30s Reading fans saw the likes of all the top Indianapolis 500 sprint car racing stars compete on their hometown half-mile dirt speedway. When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. 2 Then in 1963 the inevitable occurred and Reading switched over to running weekly modified competition paying $500 to win and posting the largest weekly modified purse around. Book Fair Blues: O Argentina! - boloji.com were up you did not get out of the pits. KELLY, Mike Dirt oval Im calling the shots and that makes all the difference in the world. I didnt give any thought to recording the dates when I visited those 71 tracks. Eddie Pratt One story I do remember well, was the fact that I had to sit in the grandstand. Subscribe to my Newsletter for new posts, tips, photos & more. The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. There you have it. BLUM, Bill I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). 1 The caution flew with about 10-11 laps to go, and those . 12 FOR SALE! 6/29/79 7/7/78 It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. 5/18/75 MILLER, Paul 3 Wides Picture Vault Indy champions loved to compete at The Home of Champions. 6 1 watching the classic battles between Gerald Chamberlain, Kenny Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 15 52 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway(19241979) was a one half mile dirt/clay modified race track located inMuhlenburg Township,Berks County,Pennsylvania. Thats what a racechaser does. On Oct. 29, 1978, the last race was held on the half-mile oval. Nineteen Eighty-Four (also published as 1984) is a dystopian social science fiction novel and cautionary tale by English writer George Orwell.It was published on 8 June 1949 by Secker & Warburg as Orwell's ninth and final book completed in his lifetime. 10 I live in southern California. I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. Glenn Fitzcharles 9 Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. There were some sacrifices but there was a reward. Ill try to include them here. And when it was over, no one was surprised to find Kenny Brightbill in Victory Lane, which had become his second home since he got his first Reading victory in 1970. 2 2 EARNSHAW, Leigh If youve got a question, comment or whatever please leave it at the bottom of this report. McANDREW, Tommy Back 5 went down for some of those famous french fries to the right of the 8 4/26/74 2 Welcome to trackchasing's most popular website. 5/21/78 Randy Lewis - San Clemente CA. The Reading Fairgrounds Speedway is one of those long ago vintage tracks affectionately known as the Group of 71. I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. MEAHL, Ken WALES, Milford Its very easy to do. HORTON JR, Jimmy These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. TILLMAN, Herbie I think I may have come up with a meaningful analogy--let me try it out here:I bought a new computer last week. No matter who 7 WELD, Kenny For almost 38 years, Myron Nealey has focused on the technical aspects of delivering water throughout the Denver metro area as a reclamation and hydraulics engineer for Denver Water. 6/19/77 drivers 2 All of it had to be done within five months calendar time (the fair was postponed to late October in order to provide an extra month for construction). 3 8 Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This had nothing to do with the quality of the racing! GUEST, Terry Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories [Fairgrounds Racetrack, Berks Co regarding the Bobby Marshman story you posted on Hatfield Memories, and I thank you. 1 The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This was win no. 2 54 Sorry. HOLLAND, Eddie Im calling the shots and that makes all the difference in the world. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. It became so popular that the Fairgrounds eventually held an entire season of racing, starting in March and only closing in late fall. Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. 9/5/75 Reading is a culture, the moment a youngster is exposed to someone reading in the family they are fine tuned and the concept of books and readings would be in the back of their minds. Whip Mulligan Frankie Schneider I am a trackchaser. READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED Memories Yearbook 1980-History of modified These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. LAZZARO, Lou 9/13/69 He was one of several drivers killed at the Fairgrounds over the years. Thats what a racechaser does. 7/22/77 3 was really wound up and getting louder. Frank Sinatra performed at the Fair in 1950. Chamberlain hugging the fence on the inside. The Heritage of Reading: 1813-1847: Canals, Heavy Industry, and the Railroad, The Seventh and Penn Street Railroad Crossing, Mount Laurel Furnace and Temple Iron Company, History of Holy Guardian Angels, Hyde Park, Independence Island along the Schuylkill River, Reading, PA Outlet Capital of the World, History of the former Bachman Pretzel Company, Organized Crimes Infiltration of The Pizza and Cheese Industry in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Avenue Covered Bridge and Bingaman Street Bridge, Beautiful photographs of Reading's Catholic churches with their altar rails and sanctuaries, Very awesome in history. Drivers flocked from all over the east coast for a share of the pie. 5/29/70 WISMER SR, Kenny [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. 3 You might have remembrances about this track. Prior to 1980 I was a racechaser. 1 We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. GUINTHER, Ronnie 7/10/77 41 USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. reading fairgrounds memories - kasheshchhabbria.com Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania 4 1 4 Tommy McAndrews LINGLE, Joe Gary Gollub As the feature went on, both of them were working their way toward 2 This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. 1 10/22/77 2 1 I currently live in Virginia where I work for the US Army performing stress analysis, vibration and structural tests on Army Aviation platforms and structures. Read all about Kenny Brightbill, Dick Tobias, Bobby Gerhart. 4/13/73 Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. Born in 1897, he witnessed the growth and expansion of the city which was once the 4th largest city in Pennsylvania with a population close to 130,000 not including unnaturalized citizens. 4 Shorty Kerschner 14 6 If you want to see the true essence of trackchasing youve come to the right place. Memories of the Reading Fairgrounds live on
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