Motor City Speedway - Warren Township MI

Address: 13859 8 Mile Rd
City: Warren Township
State: MI
Zip: 48089
County: Macomb
Number of visits to this page: 112604
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

I am using the address of a Dollar Tree that sits on the site of the old track, the original address being gone.

Source: Doug Long

I grew up in Detroit in the 50s and 60s, and Ive been enjoying some of the sights on your Water Winter Wonderland web site. Thanks for creating it; it will provide many happy moments for us old Detroiters (and probably for not-so-old Detroiters, too).

There is a race track that I didn't see listed on your web site - Motor City Speedway. It was located on the north side of 8 Mile Rd. (which I believe is across the street from Detroit proper) and was about a block east of Schoenherr (which I may have misspelled). The parking lot was on 8 Mile Rd. and the race track was immediately north of the parking lot. It was torn down in late 1957 to make way for some stores. Its possible that complaints about the noise from the neighborhood may have contributed to its demise; we lived a mile south of Motor City Speedway and we could hear the engines whining and roaring when they'd race.

But I absolutely loved Motor City Speedway. My father took me to see hot rod races there in 1956 and 1957. I believe they also had stock car races, although we just went for the hot rod races. It had old style wooden spectator stands and it probably couldn't exist today - it wasn't a big enough place to pull in the big name car drivers or the big money. But the fans didn't care about that back then. It was more fun than the current (and expensive) "race track, incorporated" racing corporations. After the hot rod races, they would let you go down in the pit area and see the race cars. I remember feeling how hot the tires were. Well, thanks again for a great web site - very attractive and well organized.

Info Updates:
11/30/2023 - Bill Kratchoff
I remember 2 songs they played during intermission. Does anyone else???
4/2/2022 - Doug Long
My father took me to hot rod races and, I think, demolition derbies at Motor City Speedway in 1958 and 1959. After the races, they would let people go to the area where the race cars were parked to see them close up. I remember feeling how hot the tires still were after the races. I was really sad when it was torn down after 1959; I loved that place. My parents told me it was torn down because nearby people complained about the noise. I lived almost a mile away, and I could hear the race cars.
8/6/2019 - Marcy
A cousin recently passed and left me with some nice photos and autographs of drivers/cars who raced at the Motor City Speedway. I'm so fascinated - I spent more than a few nights at the Mt. Clemens race track as a kid. (and I still enjoy a good dirt track race at the Merrit Speedway from time to time) My cousin was born in 1932 and one photo is dated 1947, so I'm guessing most are from the mid-1940's. I could use some help making sure I've deciphered the autographs correctly. Each autograph also has the car number and/or color: Ralph Pratt :: Bill Mitchell :: Chuck Mesler :: Al Bonnell :: Carl Forberg :: Howard Marlen :: Art Hartfeld :: Buddy Huesman :: George Witzman :: Jimmy McKeague :: Carson Zeiter :: Andy Barto :: Jake Jacobson? :: ?John Smigg? (cream & red) :: ?Chuck L. ? M68 (Guy Lombardo's racing racing partner 1946 Gold Cup Boat Racers) :: Pete Romcevich :: Eddie Ostwick :: Iggy Katona :: ?B*** Luce? (B6) :: Wayne Wynn :: Roy Duby :: Bernie Jacobson :: Neal Carter :: ?Perceaver Southcatt? (1 Black) :: Al Placky :: Johnny Wohlfeil :: Jack/Dick? Nalou (Bronze 21) :: Al Momenee :: Johnny Fredericks :: ? Bart? St John (46 white/black) :: Bill Clifton Kind Regards, Marcy.
7/10/2019 - Moe Meiers
D. Miller, All I know of Harmon Willcutt is he drove a car #02. His cars were built by a guy name Roy Laffey. Roy I think worked for Eaton Axle. Roy had a son I think name Jim Laffey. Around 1974-5 Jim was working for Gratiot Auto Supply, he would have been around 20 years old. Roy is probably gone. Harmon was the champion in either '58 or '57. George Cooper was the champion the other year and he drove #33 for Parkers Garage! Just my two cents worth! Moe!.
6/1/2019 - David Miller
I am seeking information on Harmon Willcutt who raced old model stock-cars on this track in the mid and late 1950s. He held the old-model stock car racing title in either 1957 or 1958 at that track.
5/3/2019 - Don epley
Does anyone have info on the track. sonewhere in detroit,arwa. towards mobroe. ran t. qs and midgets. my fsther was champ there with t. q club. he ran a purpke rodster style t. q number 7. and at on time had 3 cars racing. 6. 7. and numer 8. the t. q club ran all over the lower michigan area. i ckudibf flat rock and a kot of small go cart tracks. he has passed now and really have been tryibg to get any info on the club and him raci g in michigan. thx.
5/3/2019 - John Sanderson
Sad News about a legendary driver. NEAL CARTER August 30, 1923-April 23, 2019 Matthew Neal Carter, 95, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday April 23, 2019. Born in 1923 on a homestead in Wapakoneta, Ohio, Neal was one of seven children. Times were hard in the 30’s but Neal always said, “I was blessed with a great Mom”. Neal, known as the Mighty Midget Racecar Driver, began his racing career at Ft. Miami Speedway in Toledo, Ohio and Partington Pasture located outside of Mt. Clements, MI. Over his racing career, Neal drove at most of the nation’s major tracks, garnering over 220- checkered flags. Most notable was his victory in 1948 at the famed Langhorne Speedway, establishing the fastest 100-mile auto race on a dirt track – a record that stood for an unequaled 13 years. He was also the AAA Motor City Speedway Champion in 1949, 50, and 51. Adding to his prowess in the powerful midgets, he began driving Indy Champ Cars, competing in 24 Indy Car Races between 1949 and 1952, including the first race held at Darlington Speedway. Neal passed his drivers test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1951 and made additional qualifying attempts in 1952 and 1953. Upon his retirement from racing, he was Service Manager at Jim White Chevrolet in Toledo, OH, Carl Schmidt Chevrolet in Perrysburg, OH and CEO of Schmidt National Lease in Maumee, OH. Neal also remained actively involved in racing. In the mid-1960’s, he was instrumental in the construction of the Quarter Midget racetrack at the Lucas County Rec Center in Maumee, OH. Neal was a member of the CART Horton Safety Team from 1979-89, and a 42-year member of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oldtimers Club. He was inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the National Midget Racing Hall of Fame in 1999. He met the love of his life, Barbara Lohrstorfer, at Motor City Speedway. Introduced by mutual friends, he would sit behind her and admire her beautiful long hair. This was the beginning of a 67-year marriage. Together they raised four children: James, Dennis (Suzanne), Kathleen (Robert) Senger, Suzanne (Mark) Smith. Their home was loving and raucous! Neal was a devoted husband, father, grandfather of 10, and great grandfather of 11. A celebration of Neal’s life will be held at Bayliff and Son Funeral Home 311 W. Main St. Cridersville, Ohio on Saturday July 6, 2019. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame c/o Barbara Hellyer 4967 West 12th Street, Speedway, IN 46224. Thanks to MCS historian, Steve Wolski, who passed this info along.
10/24/2018 - Keith Keller
My Fathers Uncle, Clifton Burns, use to race at Motor City Speedway and after rolling his race car in 1939, he was taken to the new Saratoga Hospital, where he passed away due to injuries from the crash. He has the distinction of being the first person to die at that hospital.
1/20/2017 - Dain Naida
Just wanted to inform everyone that Wild Bill Naida passed away on January 12, 2017. Wild Bill's family and friends will gather st Rupp Funeral Home in Monroe, MI Saturday 1/14 from 4-8pm and Sunday 1/15 from 1-8pm. The funeral will be at St. Pat's church in Carleton, MI at 10am Monday 1/16.
9/2/2016 - Tom Holbrook
I grew up in the 50s able to hear the distant roar of Motor City Speedway on hot summer nights all the way over on 9-1/2 Mile Road in East Detroit. Then, in my mid and late teens I worked at the Speedway selling Coca Cola for three years (10c/cup, 2c/profit). We carried metal Coke cases with 20 bottles each, and experienced guys carried three cases at a time from the supply room under the main grandstand up into the stands. For that 2c profit you had to carry the case up, open the 6oz bottle, take out a paper cup (we carried those too), fill the cup and hand it to the spectator. On hot nights I made $6-$7 a night as the top seller (I had earned the main grandstand as top-seller territory). It was cash, non-taxed, and 3 race nights a week, so I was earning maybe $80-$90/mo, though I didn't realize it then (that was pretty big money for a 16/17-year-old back then. Sometimes I got a ride with a friend, but usually I hitchhiked to MCS. Hard work, but free entrance to all the races (and occasional boxing matches). Them wuz da daze!.
5/19/2016 - Harvey Osborne
Looking for pictures or anyone who remembers Norm Tucker. Raced a car at Motor City Speedway in Detroit. Car was numbered 0 or 00. Had a giant spark plug on the roof.
2/27/2016 - John Haven
Anybody remember a driver by the name of Cleo (Jerry) West from Flat Rock?.
8/30/2015 - Thomas Porzondek
Chris Rosinski - Sorry to hear that your father, Skeeter Ross, has died. I saw him race many times at Motor City during the years my dad took us there (1954-1958) with guys such as Felix Brooks, George Cooper, Joy Fair, Jack Goodwin, Wayne Bennett, and many more. I remember that he always put on a good show and was a crowd favorite. My condolences to you and your family.
8/25/2015 - Chris Rosinski
We lost a great one today. My dad Skeeter Ross passed peacefully today. Racing was his life and a day didn't go by without my dad talking about some kind of racing he did. Thank you Steve for the interview you did with my dad he always talked about it.
6/5/2015 - Tom Porzondek
It was posted that Jack Goodwin died earlier this year and I just wanted to say what a really nice guy he was besides being one of the best that ever raced at Motor City Speedway. There are lots of great pictures posted on this site for anyone who has never visited this page before. Some of my other favorites from Motor City were Felix Brooks, Joy Fair, Johnny Wallace, George Cooper, Wayne Bennett (another very nice man), and so many more. Lots of fun memories.
6/1/2015 - Tom Porzondek
To Craig Williamson I remember your dad Bill Williamson driving the red car number XXX. I do not know what year the car was but the body style was similar to the number 020 that Felix Brooks had prior to his car number 555. I went to Motor City from about 1954 until the speedway closed at the end of the 1958 season. My dad and a friend of his went there EVERY Monday night and on many Saturday nights during the summer my dad would take my mother, my brother, and myself. Going to the races was the best part of summer when I was a kid.
4/1/2015 - Craig Williamson
My dad used to race at Motor City Speedway. He raced against Jack Goodwin, Joy Fair, Felix Brooks and many more I can't remember. Great times as a kid hanging out it in the pits watching him race. I remember one of his fastest cars was number # XXX.
3/26/2015 - Wolfgang Kurth
I'm looking for the support from the numerous historians among you! I’m the owner of a 1950 Jaguar XK120 which spend most of her life in Michigan, in the Detroit area in particular! The “earliest” owner I got hold of (Alan G. Boring, Farmington) bought the car in 1968/1969 car from a “lady racer” living in the Detroit area. This lady did run sped trials at Daytona Beach (must have been in the mid 50's). The car was painted in a fleshy colour and therefore was nicknamed Shrimp! In 1972 Alan sold the Jaguar to Steven Daniels, Clinton, who sold the car in 1973/1974 to either Michael A. Griffin, Southfield or David Cleavinger (?). Does any piece of information ring a bell? I truely appreciate your support - waterwinterwonderworld is almost the last source of information! Thank you. Wolfgang.
3/8/2015 - Randy
It is sad news that I am posting, legend and Michigan Hall of Famer, Jack Goodwin has passed away. Awesome driver and even better person. saw him race for many years in numerous vehicles and always could gain a checkered flag God Speed Jack.
2/15/2015 - Garry Bidoul
Just found this site. My Dad used to race at Motor City, Flat Rock, State Fair Grounds, Mt Clemens and Toledo during the 50's. We lived on Leonard a block North of Toepfer and I remember being put to bed early and hearing the racing on hot summer nights as my Dad raced. Being at the track and watching the races on TV with Fred Wolfe are also great, great memories. His name was Art Bidoul. He was a Motorcycle cop in Warren Township and a Patrolman, Traffic cop and Investigator after becoming a real City. I'd like to get any info I can about his racing career if available. I remember climbing all over his race cars in the garage and getting tanned pretty good when I'd break something off! We were estranged later in his life and I'd really like to refresh some of those earlier memories.
5/29/2014 - Kevin Zeiter
Sad news, my father Kenneth C Zeiter passed away in February he was 75. oldest son of Carson and Ann Zeiter. My father loved the raceway and growing up at motor city listening to my grandfather Carson announcing the races.
5/15/2014 - Bob Glass
My aunt, father's sister, Beverly Gruse was the Powder Puff Champion here a few times, driving a Hudson Hornet. Remember going to the races and watching on local TV. great memories. They are all gone now. and the track too.
5/11/2014 - M. Gallan
My Father, Jim (Scotty) Gallan owned a Midget Miss Pepsi. I remember as a kid growing up in Detroit at Kelly and 8 Mile, watching him work on the car in our backyard. He would let me sit in it and I thought it was amazing. He had a driver named George Witzman along with several others. My brother used to take me to Motor City every weekend on his bike. I loved the crowd and excitement - I think it was stock car racing but I seem to remember junk cars too. Great memories.
4/13/2014 - Robert
Fred Wolfe Jr. , I believe is still active in Macomb County politics. I think he's a financial planner and investment advisor. He would probably be a good source of info.
4/2/2014 - keith malec
Hello, im looking for photos or race info. on my dad who used to race here in the 50's. His name is Richard Malec and he raced under the name Mal Richards and his car was a late 30s, early 40's Ford I believe and was H20. I have one photo of the car which I will scan and upload here but im looking for more info. if anyone remembers the name and has any info. that would be wonderful. Thank you,.
3/30/2014 - JOE VERBANAC
I WAS AN OWNER DRIVER AT MOTOR CITY SPEEDWAY -WARREN, MICHIGAN IN THE LATE 40'S AND EARLY 50S - CAR # 28. WE WERE ON TV. THE ANNOUNCER WAS FRED WOLF. ALSO RACED AT THE OWASSO TRACK IN MICH, AND ALSO IN TOLEDO, OHIO. I WAS A MEMBER OF THE MICHIGAN MODIFIED AND STOCK CAR RACING ASSOCIATION. LOTS OF GOOD MEMORIES AND A FEW SAD ONES. BIG BILL LARK GOT KILLED IN OWASSO - RONNIE DUMAN GOT BADLY BURNED IN THE INDY 500 - I USED TO RACE WITH HIM - A FEW OF THE NAMES I CAN REMEMBER COMPETING WITH : AL MILLER - JACK GOODWIN - BILL NIGHTY - GENE KRULOFF - FELIX BROOKS - ROGER YATES - SKEETER ROSINSKI - NOW THAT I AM IN FLORIDA I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANY OF THESE GUYS OR PEOPLE WHO KNEW THEM. I WISH THERE WAS A RACE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS BECAUSE IT IS STILL IN MY BLOOD. BY THE WAY - MT CLEMONS RACE TRACK WAS ORIGINALLY FOR THOROUGHBRED HORSE RACING - A GROUP OF MICHIGAN MODIED RACING ASSOC. MEMBERS GOT TOGETHER WITH THE OWNER AND CONVINCED HIM TO CONVERT THE TRACK TO AUTO RACING WITH OUR HELP. = AT LEAST THAT IS THE WAY I REMEMBER THE FACTS AND I PROBABLY MISSPELLED SOME OF THE NAMES. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES - FROM JOE VERBANAC.
2/4/2014 - Bob
George Cooper use to drive for Parkers Garage. The cars were number 3, 33 or 333 and were always red yellow and black. Parkers Garage was at the corner of my street as a kid in the fifths and sixties. They were on Manistique and Harper, one block west of Outer Drive. They used to give a checker flag decal to the winner of the feature race and they would put them on the hood of the race car. I remember Felix Brooks driving for Hastings Motor Parts. Irv Umick, and a Bombgardner, not sure on his first name.
1/12/2014 - Dan Ostwick
Robert Mitchell, I remember Ed and Clara. Is Eleanor Frazzini (wife of Carmie) Clara's sister? I remember that Ed always had these funny little cars in his garage. I was about 5 YO.
1/7/2014 - Ted Knowles
As a kid I remember going to Motor City with my dad's neighbor Charley Krause He was the owner of a midget and also involved with ARCA racing at Flat Rock and Toledo speedways, if I am not mistaken. If I remember correctly, Fred Wolfe with his unique voice was the announcer at the track I never got the sweet smell of the little alcohol burning midgets out of my blood. Oh the good old days.
12/2/2013 - Robert Mitchell
Dear Dan Ostwick. My name is Robert Mitchell and I am the grandson of Eddie Mitchell who was the owner of the FIREBALL 5 OFFY. My grand father was the sole owner of the car but the machanics name was Lenard Litke and the driver was Al Bonnell. My grand father passed away several years ago at the age of 94 and had 3 sons , 11 grand children and well over 25 great grand children. He is dearly missed by all of his family.
10/24/2013 - William D Albach
Hello all, I am trying to fine a picture of my Dad and his race car, His name is Don Albach, his car number was 112. he was racing at motor city speedway from 1952 to 1958.
10/20/2013 - Ron P
Upon further research I have placed the date the film was shot as October 2, 1938 prior to the running of the 150 mile Midget Classic at the then called Zeiter Speedway in Detroit. Correction on Ronney Householder's car number it was #11 not #1.
10/13/2013 - Ron Pollock
I have transferred midget racing films to DVD. There is one short scene showing drivers Art Hartsfeld and Harry Hart, behind them is a white building with what looks like the word BEER painted on the wall. Could this be from Motor City. If so what was the brand name of the beer. Most likely 1939 circa as Ronney Householder is seen in a No. 1. I would like to post a photo, but haven't figured out how to do that. From the webmaster: Photos can be submitted via email. The instructions are right at the top of the main page.
8/30/2013 - Roger Rutz
This site brings back a lot of memories. I lived near Houston an Gratiot, about 3 miles from the speedway, and could hear the midgets from my house. It was a sound of summer. I never saw he midgets, but saw many old model races. Iggy Katona was my favorite. The chief scorer, Jack Trevillon, was my gym teacher at Wilkins Elementary. When they replaced the dirt with asphalt the place lost some of it's charm. I think it was an Arlans super store that was built on the track site. Even after the property was developed parts of the racing surface remained. Eventually it all disappeared.
7/1/2013 - Bill Youngblood
I just found this site. WOW!! What memories. Does anyone remember George Cooper or Ray Neece? Not sure of Ray's spelling. The last I saw of him was several years ago when I bought a Ford truck from him at a local dealership. A few years ago I read of the passing of George.
6/10/2013 - Patricia Spagnolo
My father Robert ( Bob) Fortner raced at the Motor City Speedway in late 56', 57' and was ' Rookie of the Year' in 1957. His car number was 303. I asked him once how he came up with that number. he said once they assigned a number, it was never reused. so he was the 303 racer to apply. His main sponsor was Bills Super Gulf Service on the corner of Morang and McKinney. We have his rookie of the year trophy, and 2 rollover trophies. Dad is doing well at age 82l and enjoying SC sunshine. We have a few pics. including one that also contains other cars in it. #08/#727 ( believe the name on the car is 'Keller') #888/ #19 ( believe name on car is Harold Cran). get in touch if you want to share any stories.
5/19/2013 - Dan Ostwick
In 1946 there was a midget the #5 Fireball Offy. It was owned by Eddie Mitchell of Dearborn, MI and ???? Litke of Detroit. Looking for the first name of Litke. Dan Ostwick.
5/17/2013 - Steve Towne Jr.
Greetings! I recently learned that my Grandfather, Fred Towne, raced here in the late 50's. Family says he beat AJ Foyt the year of, or before, he became a household name. I don't know if my Grandfather won the race, only that he placed better than Mr. Foyt. Mr. Foyt does not remember the race, or my Grandfather's name, but it was a long time ago. My Grandfather could have raced professionally, but quite to raise his family. I am hoping that there will be someone who reads this that may have some information about Fred Towne that they could direct me to. There is not much left from his racing days, and our family is not the closest, so any input will help. I am just trying to document this part of my Grandfather's life, as I was not raised around the Towne side of my family and do not know much of the legacies they left for us. SIDE NOT: I do know that Fred Towne was serving on the USS Atherton (spell check) when it sank the U boat off of the East coast, around Rhode Island. That was a nice piece of history to learn! So if anyone has any information that could help me document my Grandfather's short racing career, please send me an email & I will get back to you. Thanks ahead of time! Blessed Be!.
4/29/2013 - Dave Stecher
My Dad ( George Stecher ) raced there 1952-53. He had a Blue & White 1941 Ford Coupe. I know he became a member of the upside down club. Does anyone remember him , or his car ? He had a partner ,Oscar Theander ,and they took turns driving the car. My dad (George) drove on the nights the racing was televised , as Oscar didn't want his parents to find out he was racing !!!! I have my dad's Cromwell helmet ,and his M. M. S. C. R. A. driving jacket , but would love to find some pictures ,( have one ,but would like more) or more information about him or his car!! Would be cool to find a program from those years that he raced, or a score card with his name on it. Awsome site,. cool pictures of other racers. what a different time !!!.
8/1/2012 - Bill Diederich
Motor City Speedway brings back some of the fondest childhood memories. Delivered my night Free Press papers and then rode my bike to the track for the last race. Bob Brendel lived down the street from me and I have heard anything about him in probable 60 years. Thanks to this site I know he is still interested in racing.
7/3/2012 - Jim Lane
To Ken Behneke, yes Gene Lane raced and wrenched at Motor City Speedway. Friends with both Johnny White and Carl Forberg.
6/15/2012 - Jim Ward
My cousin is Wally Starnes, and he used to race out there. He drove car #44. I went there in the 50's. Great times.
6/5/2012 - Francis X Nutto
In 1939 I was 16 yrs old. A family friend set me up in the program concession. If memory serves me correctly, I think I made about $16 a night.
5/11/2012 - Jennifer Barber
Hi everyone, my dad Joe Barber raced here. I wasn't born yet, only heard about it. When I was a kid, he raced at Flat Rock. I would like to know if anyone ever heard of him. There's pictures of him and some of his cars on the Flat Rock page. Also, my uncle use to go to the motorcycle races there and always told me that's where him and his friends got the ideas to start chopping their Harley's as they got older. He said a lot of innovation in motorcycles came from seeing the bikes at Motor City. The racers made homemade shift/clutch mouse trap mechanisms on their bikes for easier gear shifting that Harley would patented and become a stock part on their panhead Harley's soon after. A lot of the kids in the 50's that watched the motorcycle races eventually built choppers and started clubs afterwards !.
4/29/2012 - Michelle Yeiter
My great-grandpa Clyde Moore Milton died in a race here September 16, 1936. I can't find anything about him as a race car driver but the newspaper clipping saying he died at this track. Any suggestions where to look? He was an Indy driver.
4/25/2012 - Bob Brendel
I can't believe it took so long for me to discover this site. I was raised right across the street from the track on Pelkey Street. My Dad owned the Gulf/Shell gas station on the corner of 8 mile & Schoenherr. Needless to say I spend almost every chance to be at the track. We I got old enough to drive I would take our Wrecker or Jeep to service the equipment for the track. Many a time I had to go and upright the tractor that Frank Ianelli would roll over when plowing & grading the track. My Dad used to take the jeep to the track to be one of the push vehicles to get the midgets started. I have lots of pictures from the programs that had colored photos included. This site has really brought a lot of really great memories of some really great racing. I currently live in Texas and believe it or not at 76 years old I am a tour guide at the Texas Motor Speedway. I sure meet a lot of race fans and give them a thrill by taking them in a 15 passenger van around the track at over 85 miles an hour on the 24 degree high banks. My favorite driver was Duane Carter and at Indy my favorite was Bill Vukovich. It was really fun recalling many of the drivers. Here are some that I did not see mentioned. Jake Jacobson (always drove with a cigar in his mouth) Powder Blue # J2. Another few names were Bill Boyd, Johnny Parsons, Mike Nazarak, Mel Hansen, Ted & Gene Hartley, Wes Seageser (One arm driver), Cal Niday (had a wooden leg), Eddie Russo and a couple of really old names were Bob Swanson. & Ronnie Householder. As I come up with more fun information and photos about the track I will be coming back to this site. I was more into the Midget Racing, but I watched the Roasters, hard tops and Motorcycles with equal amount of interest. I do remember a driver named Bob Harner who always played a guitar and sang during intermission. I hope some of you will respond to my message to see if we have any other fun times to relive. I also sold Souvenir pins & French fries at the track, any thing to watch the races. Way back in the early days there a bar next to my Dad's gas station called the Speedway Inn (owner Roy Scott) and my Mom was a bar maid there and all the drivers would come there after the races, anybody remember ?? My relatives once told me that my Mom actually breast fed my in the grandstands. You might say I was weaned at the track into racing !!.
3/29/2012 - Darlene
Hi Does anyone remember Ed Smith, motorcycle racer and car racer in the early 50s? he raced with Paul Goldsmith and other legends. I am his daughter and am trying to locate old photos of the races and other momentous for his grandkids. I knew Earl and Dot Robinson to Thanks to all of you for your help.
3/29/2012 - Darlene
Hi Does anyone remember Ed Smith, motorcycle racer and car racer in the early 50s? he raced with Paul Goldsmith and other legends. I am his daughter and am trying to locate old photos of the races and other momentous for his grandkids. I knew Earl and Dot Robinson to Thanks to all of you for your help.
2/8/2012 - Randy
Kevin, my condolenses go out to you,your family and the rest of the Zeiter families. total Michigan legends.
2/7/2012 - Kevin Zeiter
Sad news, My Grandmother Ann Zeiterdied yesterday at the age of 95 (2/6/2012) My Grandfather Carson (the voice of the speedway)Died in 1984 at the age of 73. I will miss her. They are once again together.
1/12/2012 - Tim Brooks
I am looking to put together a bio for my dad Felix Brooks mmshof application. unfortunately i have no trophy's were all stolen or lost through the years very little paperwork,but tons of pics of banquets but not many tags looking to get together with some fans that might know history faces and see if we can whip up a bio for BB
1/8/2012 - Tom Holbrook
I was one of the Coca Cola sellers in the late 50s. I lived in East Detroit (now,yuck,Eastpointe) and used to hitchhike three times a week (Tu,Thu,Sat, I believe) to the stock car races at Motor City, there and back, often stopping for burgers at the White Castle on 8 Mile& Gratiot (heavenly burgers!). Occasionally midget cars raced there then, and motorcycles too. Very rarely, professional boxing matches were held in center of track. I quickly became the top Coke seller. On hot evening I could sell 20+ cases of coke. Cokes were a dime, profit was 2c a bottle. For that you had to lug the Coke up into the seating (high producers lugged up three cases at a time, 60 bottles), take out a glass bottle, take off the cap with the opener on the side of the case, pour the Coke into a waxed cup, and hand it to the spectator. For 2c. I thought it was a pretty good job. I could make $7 to $8 on a good night, which was pretty good money then: say $22-$25 a wk, no taxes, just an occasional union dues to the Mob. $100 a mo for a 15-yr old kid back then was living high. Also remember Andy Barto, the owner, with his gravelly artificial voice box. I was told his voice box had been removed due to throat cancer. Strange voice, very short, but a nice, kind man. Way over in East Detroit on summer race nights you could hear the faint noise of the races several miles away: it really wasn't summer without that dull, continuous roar on race nights! Dem wuz da days!.
12/29/2011 - Paul Graf
Sorry, I have no pictures but remember Roger Yates well and that he won the season championship in either 52 or 53 driving for Ed Beste were he also worked. He recieved the Ford convertible pace car. I believe he lived on Manning and I rode my bike there to see the car in front of his house. I lived one block over on Tacoma.
12/26/2011 - Jay Hauler
I need help finding out what type of quick change rear end is in my midget,the car was built about 1946, there is no markings on the rear end at all. I would like to see if someone knows what type of transmission that I can put behind a 1946 Hercules 4 cyl. flat head. Please email me an I will send photos. Thanks.
12/25/2011 - Yvonne banks
Hi my grandfather was Roger Canonball Yates if you know of him and have any great stories our pictures of him n Ed Beste I would love to here and or see them. I do know one of his cars # was 15b. I know one a couple of races in his day and was told he was well known at the speedway raceways. He passed away in 1992 even though he was my gramps he raised me so I looked to him as my father.
12/22/2011 - Tom Porzondek
To Jim Taylor: In reference to your question about what type of business did Felix Brooks do after racing, he had an auto repair shop named Felix Brooks Car Clinic that was located on Greenfield Road close to W. Chicago in Detroit. I think he may have had the business while he was racing but I do not know for sure, and I don't know how long he stayed in business there. There was also a transmission shop named Allied Transmission, I believe, that was there also. I think I remember seeing the Allied part being on his race car. I went down there in 1968 to talk with Felix and he was very nice to talk with and I remember his office having trophies and pictures of the #555 car that he did real well with at Motor City Speedway. If Tim Brooks reads this post, maybe he can confirm or correct the information. The Car Clinic part may have been spelled Kar Klinic, I am not sure.
12/22/2011 - Gene Paye
Does anyone remember my Dad, Roy John Paye, he raced at motor city speedway and I can remember him talking about he was still practicing on half of the dirt track when they were paving it. I don't know what year that was. His car was #04 and was a midget with a continental engine. I may have a pic if that would help. Thanks.
10/19/2011 - Jim Taylor
Does anyone remember Ross Crown? He drove # 63 car at Motor City. What kind of business did Felix Brooks go into after racing? Was it heating and air conditioning? Ross lived two doors from me when I was a kid on Marlowe St. in Detroit. He would take me and my Dad to Motor City almost every Friday night. One night Ross lost his rear tire and it bounced up (about 30 feet) and hit a camera belonging to WXYZ (Channel 7). Would like to here if any one has any photos of Ross Crown.
10/12/2011 - Terry Bennett-Gilliland
To Jimmy Gullett Thanks for the kind words about my dad. I have a napkin that you wrote on with a message to my dad and it said you were one of his fans. I have lots of news clippings and pictures and when I have time I will post them. If you would like a picture I will send you one. My nephew did a slide show for the funeral service and we have posted it on Facebook. I think you would enjoy it. The background music was an old George Jones' song The Race is On. Jimmy, I truly believe dad could have gone Nascar but when we moved to Alabama I guess his dream ended, but he did build cars for my youngest brother and a good friend of his here in Jasper, Alabama. I guess you could say you were one of his youngest fans back then. I only remember the races at Mt. Clemons and the Michigan Fairgrounds. I was only 9 years old when we moved back to Alabama in 1966. You may not remember when he had a near-fatal car accident in Daytona back in 1958, but it was a miracle that he survived. He was tough and bounced back. I will continue to visit this site. I have truly enjoyed it the last few months. A guy named Steve Wolski called my dad one day and I have been checking this site out every day since then.
10/1/2011 - Marty Blume
To Tim Brooks and anyone else who would like to see someome nominated for the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame, go to the website at www. mmshof. org. Go to where it say nominations and click on it. It will tell you what you need to do. There are many deserving people out there who have not yet been inducted. We do not just put people in the Hall. The Hall needs to have a Bio before we can consider the person for the Hall. The web site will give you the details of what is needed. Marty Blume Board member of the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame.
10/1/2011 - Dave DeHem
Tim, To nominate someone to the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame you need to put together a biography on you dad starting from the beginning and going to the end of his career. It needs to be in chronological order and you should be able to substantiate the facts that are written if asked. The bio, along with a shorter one page facts sheet and any pictures you can come up with need to be sent to the hall before the first Wednesday of April of the current year (or next) as the voting takes place in May. Our banquet takes place the first Sunday in November every year. You can send the biography to P. O. Box 448, Comstock Park, Mi. 49321. Our website address is www. mmshof. org and you can get all the information that you will need in preparing your Dad's biography from there. Please note that just because someone is nominated doesn't mean they will get in right away or ever. The voting members are the current and all past Board Members as well as all inductees so the more information provided, the better in some cases. I know who your Dad was because I grew up around Mt. Clemens Race Track and heard all of the stories but those that vote might have a background in Drag Racing, Boat Racing, Motor Cycles, Airplanes, Off Road or many other different venues. Best of luck and we'll be looking for a bio. from You on Felix. Dave DeHem MMSHoF Board Member.
9/30/2011 - Tim Brooks
I agree with getting Felix Brooks into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame, I am his son and was born in 58 when motor city closed. I have heard a few stories of the day and would love to hear more. Felix (BB Eyes) passed Halloween Day in 2006 coming up on his 5 yr. Would love to hear more stories and find out how to nominate him to the hall of fame.
7/20/2011 - Mary Jane Wismer Haske
Wow!! What memories, my dad Lloyd Whiz Wismer co-founded the Michigan Modified Racing Association, MMSRA, in 1948. Dad raced the # 11 Great Guns car from the time Motor City opened until it closed. He also raced Mt Clemens, Flat Rock, New Baltimore, Sunset Speedway, Toledo, Winsor and I could go on & on but you get the picture. I was raised at race tracks. My mother, Dorothy, kept records from most of those tracks and I have many of those records yet. I also have many, many pictures and programs from these places. Mom never threw anything away.
6/20/2011 - Ken Behnke
My dad was an owner of a stock car at MC. He had a Gene Lane drive it. Also a few times, Johnnie White who went on to Indy and was Rookie of the year at Indy in the mid sixties. I believe he was killed the next week in Terre Haute Ind. Does anyone remember Gene Lane driving there?.
6/8/2011 - Lisa Wilson
Does anyone know how far out the speedway went geographically?.
6/5/2011 - Fred Pickard
Somebody should try to get Felix Brooks in the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame, I know there are people that know a lot about him.
6/5/2011 - Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway was oiled dirt up to and including 1952. The track was paved in 1953 and stayed that way until it closed in 1958.
5/26/2011 - T. Roy
Yes it was a dirt track the whole time it was there.
5/25/2011 - Nancy Collins
Does anybody remember if Motor City Speedway had a dirt track all the time it was there.
4/18/2011 - Linda Marshall
My parents used to take my sister and I to Motor City a couple of times a week from 1951 until the track closed. We were always there when our friend Joe Bozied (No. 12) raced. If we didn't make it to the track, we watched the races on television. In the mid-fifties my dad joined the Michigan Quarter Midgets Race Car Club after building a quarter-sized midget racer that my sister drove. She was a tomboy and a huge fan of Joe, so her race car was painted bright pink with a powder puff on the front end - she was known as Lana Gore, driver of the Powder Puff Special. Seeing this site brought back a lot of memories of warm evenings, the smell of dirt and oil, and all the excitement of the races - and drivers like Jack Goodwin, Roger Yates, Iggy Katona, Felix Brooks, Yarborough, Unser, etc. Quite a stroll down memory lane.
3/6/2011 - Tom Nelson
My dad took me out to the speedway in the mid 50s. The track ran from 1932 and the last race was ran in 1958. Tom Nelson.
2/13/2011 - dennis sobkowiak
My uncle, Dan Sobkowiak, a Toolmaker at Ford's, owned a Offy midget in the mid 50's and hired a driver. Ran at Motor City. Driver was Duman maybe. I was 15. My dad , who was Dan's brother, and I went to watch. I was car crazy. Never won when I was there. I always came home coated with rubber bits. One Saturday morning on race day we went to my uncle Danny's house to help get the car ready. He had a house on Greenfield at about 10 or 11 mile road. Then it was 2 lane blacktop. Had to push the midget to start it. Rolled out onto greenfield. Danny drove it, my dad pushed it with Dan's station wagon, me along. It was wobbling against the front bumper. It caught and he took off like crazy. Turned it around and drove it back to the house and garage in the backyard. It burned alcohol and I remember there was ice on the intake manifold. What a blast. That night we went to Motor City again to watch. I don't remember the exact outcome but we didn't win. They're all gone now but I will never forget those times.
1/24/2011 - Doug Taylor
Dan, Dick Lee who foundered MMSHOF is a good friend of mine. I'm just an old history buff that likes stuff about auto racing from the old days. I was involved in professional racing for about 25 years. I tried to send you an e-mail, but it was returned. Maybe you can send me one. theradioman1 (at) yahoo. com Regards, Doug Taylor.
1/23/2011 - Doug Taylor
Dan Ostwick, Carl Forberg is dead, but his daughter (Carla) married Poncho Carter and I believe they live in Daytona Beach, Florida. Go to Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame and look up Carl Forberg. Good Luck, Doug Taylor.
1/21/2011 - Dan Ostwick
Does anybody have contact information for Carl Forberg or his family? My dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets with/against Carl in the '40's. I would really like to talk to him or his family. Dan Ostwick.
1/18/2011 - Jack Calabrase
I used to drive for a very colorful person named Booby Logan, I drove for him for three years and we did a lot of racing in those years. His shop was on the eight mile just East of I-75. I spent a lot of hours there and have many good memories of those times driving for him.
1/15/2011 - Tom Porzondek
To Tony - The information on the location of the former Motor City Speedway is correct. It was on the north side of Eight Mile Rd. , just east of Schoenherr Rd. Actually the parking lot bordered on Eight Mile Rd. , and if you check out the second picture on this web page, there is a good aerial shot of the exact location. Tom Porzondek.
1/13/2011 - Doug Taylor
Jay, Go to Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame and look up Carl Forberg. Then look at the very bottom of his BIO. Pancho married Carl's daughter and the way his BIO says, he lives in Daytona? Carl's daughter's name is Carla. His bio is also a good article on him. That motor in the Midget may be a Crosby. That Dave Anderson, would probably know for sure. Go goggle Vintage or antique Midgets for sale, etc. and you will find some neat pictures of midgets and motors you might be able to match it to.
1/12/2011 - pat the Handyman
Carl Forberg's daughter married Pancho Carter. maybe they are still around the midwest. Carl's tool and die Shop was on Groesbeck Hwy just south of 9 mile rd. The Forberg's owned a bar on the same rd near where Hoover and Groesbeck come together ,north of 7 mile. There were three bars in a row there at one time. Forbergs lived above there place. That is about all I got for now. Pat Lubomski.
1/12/2011 - Tony
You might check the location info on this one. Motor City was on 8 Mile Rd, on the South side, which put it in Detroit, not Warren.
1/11/2011 - Jay Hauler
Doug I do not see a number for you. Jay.
1/9/2011 - Doug Taylor
Jay Hauler call me. I think I got something to help you with about Carl Forberg. theradioman1 (at)yahoo (Dot) com.
1/7/2011 - Doug Taylor
Jay Hauler call me. I think I got something to help you with about Carl. theradioman1 (at) (Dot) com.
1/2/2011 - Jay Hauler
I'm looking for info on Carl Forberg and the cars that he built. I have a midget that was build about 1946. I would like to find ou if he built my car. The car has be in my family for 62 years. Thanks Jay.
8/4/2010 - Bob J
Re:
Entry Date: - 7/7/2010 - John Fedricks Jr. - My father raced at Motor City and met my mother there while driving for Carl Foreberg. I remember sitting in the grandstands, with my Mom watching my Dad race.

Your father also was a driver for Ed Gdula (my father-in-law), and in fact attempted to qualify Ed's #71 car at the 1957 Indy 500, in addition to driving some of Ed's midgets.

Contact me and we can discuss other information I have gathered while putting together a history of Ed's racing career.
7/22/2010 - Rick Liblong
Thanks to Ron Krego of Cruis'news Magazine, I found Skeeter Ross. His real name is Vitold S Rosinski, 25060 Chippendale St., Roseville, MI. He was so thin, he told me in his letter, that the guys said he looked like a mosquito so they named him Skeeter. The Ross was a shortened version of his last name. In addition to being an airplane pilot, he drove a semi truck for 25 years, driving more than a million miles without an accident. He started racing in 1949 in Windsor and quit in 1958. I've attached a photo he sent me of his championship car, 7-11, from 1954 at Motor City. It was a 1938 Plymouth coupe, 6 cyl. owned by Cliff Sommers. I'm sure Skeeter would love to hear from old fans.
7/7/2010 - John Fedricks Jr.
My father raced at Motor City and met my mother there while driving for Carl Foreberg. I remember sitting in the grandstands, with my Mom watching my Dad race.
7/4/2010 - Pete Banchoff
I was working in a house in Novi Michigan this week and ran into a man by the name of Harry Devor. We got to talking and he used to race at Motor City Speedway and is a member of the "Upsidedown Club" He was a car builder also and would like to know if anyone remembers him. His health is not good but he still gets around good. Anybody remember?
Pete Banchoff
5/8/2010 - Jim Koenigbauer
As kids we would bike to the MCS twice a week to watch the midgets. Each night would have a series of heats to qualify for positions in the feature race, a ten car Autralian Pursuit race, a race for the ones who didn't qualify for the feature and, of course, the feature. Neil Carter, Vic Carter, Art Hartsfield, Ralph Pratt and Gays Biro were the big names at the time. Man, we loved it.
Years later I rented a cottage at Grand Lake north of Alpena and was pleasantly surprised to recognize the owner as Carson Zeiter, the voice of the Speedway. Reminiscing was fun.
3/5/2010 - jesse forton
hi everyone . my name is jesse forton and my dad joe raced at motor city in the 50s his car number was 011 i was just hoping anyone had a pix of dads car as it would be very special to me
1/11/2010 - dennis sobkowiak
My dad would take me to MCS in the mid 50s because his brother, Stanley , owned a midget racer that he ran there. It had a 4 cyl Offy engine and burned alcohol. He hired a guy to drive it. I think his name was Ronnie Duman. It was a thrill. I remember when I got home I had to clean off the tire rubber particles that stuck to my face.
8/14/2009 - Gerald Vlasic
There is a question posted regarding midget racer Pete Romcevich who raced in the 1947 Indy 500 and was later killed in a race at the Michigan Fairgrounds. He was my grandfather.
8/9/2009 - June
My parents recently passed away and I came across various pictures of Motor City Speedway. After discussion with my cousin, we are trying to find out who were the owners of the Speedway.

Any help is appreciated.
1/6/2009 - AL LARIVEE
WAYNE: My childhood home was adjacent to the ball field at Lincoln High. You guys must have some pretty good hitters as about at least a 1/2 dozen times a season we'd be greeted with a baseball coming through our dining room window. The players were always real nice,they would come over to the house and apologize. My dad just took it with a grain of salt and said if your out there plating baseball then you can't be getting into any trouble.. I went to my old home place about 5 years ago but it's gone. The high school made the field bigger our address was 8480 Hupp Van-Dyke, Mi. Get back with me if you would like to. I'm currently living in Selma,North Carolina
1/6/2009 - AL LARIVEE
Does any one remember a driver hat raced there in the mid to late fifties . His name was Bobby Larivee. They called him 'one armed Bobby" because he would drive around the track with his left arm hanging out the window. I don't know if this part is true but i heard that later he lost that arm in a racing accident,but he still went by that name. Also do you recall the official starter Clem Van Rossen. How about the upside-down trophies they would hand out to any driver that rolled his car. I'm from the Detroit area 8 Mile Van Dyke area now living in Selma North Carolina
11/11/2008 - jason murawski
wow what a very nice place this was what a shame to waste it this looks like it would have been the best dirt track in Michigan from the past to future if it were still to be open can anyone tell me what happen.
11/10/2008 - Bob Edwards
Can anyone provide inf. or photos of Bill Skowron aka Bill Lark who raced at Motor City Speedway in Detroit and was killed there in 53 or 54?
10/10/2008 - Wayne
Randy, thanks for the info on Fred Wolf and the Wondering Wigloo. I did go to the site and read the page. Then followed other links with reminders of past DJ's in the Detroit area, especially Mickey Shore and his past with the scandal of PAYOLA!
Basicly though I loved the track as did my younger brother, Brian, who was quite active in the racing racing scene. He still follows some racing but like me, looking back in time and visiting the memory of Motor City is a delight.
10/8/2008 - Wayne
As a boy growing up in Van Dyke(Warren) we would walk to the speedway and watch the races. DJ Fred Wolf(WXYZ) was the side man in the announcers booth. Fred was one of the originators of the on-site radio show . He did the morning show from Fred Wolfs Wacky Wiglow. Fun to remember his program.
I have seen bicycle races and midget racing from the same track. I lived on MacArthur and Maxwell and graduated from Lincoln High School. Wayne Pare'
8/19/2008 - Rick P
Neil

Copy paste the link I added

The Title above the photos says:

Main Categories _Racetracks in the US _Motor City Speedway

When you click the first photo on the left the caption below the photo says: This photograph is believed to be taken at Motor City Speeday, Indianapolis, Indiana ..

or If you type "Motor City" into the search area at least 10 Black and White Photos of old sprint cars came up. Again, I am not sure where they were taken. but if you click on them the caption says :

This photograph is believed to be taken at Motor City Speeday, Indianapolis, Indiana ..

Sorry for the confusion. I should have clicked the photo myself before posting. It is appearantly an error. I have not heard of a "Motor City Speedway" in Indiana but I could be wrong.

Hope this helps. If you know where the photos were taken please let us know.


RP
7/20/2008 - John Leonard
Dennis mull you might try to contack al knapp he is still around belive it or not at 86 years old he was still racing last year he is in the algnac area thats all I know
6/9/2008 - Bill Kaferle
I was fortunate enough to grow up in Harper Woods in the 50's. From Roscommon we could hear the cars at Motor City and even see the "Johnny Pfieffer Beer" blimp as it flew over the race track. At the same time we would watch and listen to Fred Wolfe do the play by play on Channel 7. Even after over 50 years I still remember the names of the drivers on this web site. Joy Fair and Artie Summers were my favoites as a kid. Thanks for the memories.
5/28/2008 - nivola
Hi everybody !
I'm looking for more information about Pete Romcevich, one famous midget racer of '40 and '50. He also participated 1947 in Indy 500 and took 12th place. I found a few notes about him and only one photo.
Does someone knows something more about his career and life generaly ?

Nivola

5/28/2008 - nivpla
Hi everybody !
I'm looking for more information about Pete Romcevich, one famous midget racer of '40 and '50. He also participated 1947 in Indy 500 and took 12th place. I found a few notes about him and only one photo.
Does someone knows something more about his career and life generaly ?

Nivola

4/20/2008 - Claude
Haven't heard the name Freddie Wolf
4/1/2008 - Steve
Does anybody have any 'minutes' from the racers reunion at Toledo Speedway? I was in town that weekend to attend a funeral just down the road but unfortunately it was at about the same time.
2/13/2008 - Gary Lindahl
just a quick note to let everyone know that this years racers reunion at Toledo Speedway bar and grill is saturday march 15th from noon til 6pm. in the past we have had many photo's of motor city speeway and drivers on display and all are welcome to join us, it has become a gathering of many speedways and if you have old pics bring them along for display.See Ya !
12/18/2007 - Ron Lermer
Ron I have some Fort Miami pictures. How can I contact you?
12/16/2007 - Ron
This will be a little off topic. I am in the process of gathering info for a future book on midget auto racing at tracks in northern Ohio. One of the tracks that has been a problem for me has been Ft Miami Speedway in Toledo. I have just about all of the race results but, what I really lack are photos. I know the same drivers and cars ran at Ft Miami and Motor City back in the late 30's and 40's. Is there anyone who would have photos or does anyone know of a source for photos. I am not a collector of such but, I would like to find someone that would be willing to share scans of those photos. Any help would be much appreicated. Thanks very much, Ron
11/28/2007 - Brian Walker
Our ambulance service provided the emergency "ambulance" to Motor City Speedway and we still have several old photographs of the track and our ambulances from that era. I have no more information but would happily offer the pics (we have them in digital format here) if any Speedway fan would like them.

From the webmaster - send some on to me and I will post them.
11/24/2007 - Marlene Carey
My husband's great uncle was Bob Carey. If you have any photos or memorabilia you think might be of interest to our family, please e-mail me. Thanks.
11/5/2007 - Sarah
my great grandfather was Lloyd Wismer. If anyone has pictures of him and his car can you email them to me?
10/12/2007 - Randy
Thank you to Tim Kelly for Bill's info...much appreciated! And congratulations to your dad Rusty for his induction in the the MI Motorsports Hall of Fame.
9/21/2007 - Bill Stiver
I'm pleased to find this website! Thanks to those who allow our memories to be jogged by the various postings about MCS.

I'll always remember Carson Zeiter's "The place for speed is on the speedway, not on the highway", and his constantly playing that catchy tune "Won't you ride in my little red wagon?" during intermissions.

I really favored the late 40's Midgets (Mich.-Toledo Valley sanction) when they ran every Mon. & Thurs., and usually had the same cars and drivers which caused exciting competition. My favorite was Duane Carter, who often arrived just in time to unload, take a few warm-up laps, and then qualify for the races before he had time to fine-tune and adjust, after which he really got going. Ralph Pratt, Al Bonnell, Carl Forberg, Eddie Ostwick, Al Placky, George Witzman, Iggy Katona, Howard Marlin, Buddy Huesman, and others made it very interesting.

My friend, Orv Leslie, peddled pop-corn through the bleachers, and would toss us up a "freebie" while we were ducking lumps of clay in turn one. In later years, Tony from the Royal Rec. had a maroon #2, and another friend, Nick Bodani, worked on his crew and it was a big deal to visit in the pits with someone who was on the inside of the action.

Great times, wish we could do it again!
9/18/2007 - John Langevin
Wow!!! This is great I lived across the street from Bestes Frame and Axle. Ed Beste built several cars the one i remmember was 15b driven by Cannonball Roger Yates. I was a kid Ed would let me sit in the car wile it was on the rack and Roger would say don't touch anything. What a thrill can still hear the roar of those engines. Just up the block was Don's Transmission owned at that time by Don Loveland he also raced cars at Motorcity. As a kid i lived at those two places riding my bike back and forth. Watching Don tare down ttansmissions and Ed and Roger fix frames .....................I think Roger was my first hero...
8/8/2007 - Neil Hammack
The three photos added 08-08-07 were taken in the summer of 1950 with an old Brownie box camera while I worked at the track.
6/27/2007 - Jackie
Tim Kelley, son of Rusty Kelley posted in September of 2005. The email provided to send photos bounced back. Does anyone have contact information? Thanks
6/9/2007 - Chuck Dewey
Just found this great site. I vividly remember watching the races both on TV and in person in the 50's. My uncle Dick (not Doc) Dewey raced there and was a member of Fred Wolfe's upside down club. Yes Craig Williamson, I remember the name. I ended up working for Joy Fair out of high school. Many good times had at M59, Motor City, Flat Rock and Sanduski -OH. Some of which I was a member of MARC and part of the pit crew. Unfortunately I was unable to find any pics on this site of Joy Fair in the old 714 number. He picked that number from the badge number on the old show Dragnet. I remember this number being on the 55 Pontiac which I caught on fire twice one cold night trying to get it warmed up for a race. He also ran alcohol modified and a very unique 1960 Falcon.
6/8/2007 - Neil Hammack
Only things I remember about Singing Sams are; terrific pizza and few fires he had. Boy; thats a long time ago.
6/7/2007 - Pat Lubomski
anyone remember the free meal at "Italian singing Sam's on 8 mile ,to the winners ?
5/22/2007 - Larry Heyns
Motor City Speedway was mentioned in an article by Don Radbruch (National Speedsport News (5/16/07). Radbruch wrote about Michigan track roadster racer Hod Preston and his car named "Brown Dog". Motor City promoter Andy Barto usually ran AAA midgets, but he was faced with a shortage of cars on Memorial Day weekend, 1949, with many of the top drivers at Indy. On short notice, Barto booked the track roadsters. Fans turned out in record numbers for a total gate of $8,000. Mr. Radbruch reports that Preston and the Brown Dog had fast time, won the dash, a heat race and the main event. Preston's payoff was $427. That was more than most track roadster racers would win in a career. Later, Hod Preston was among the first to bring racing to TV in the Detroit area.
4/8/2007 - Larry Haselhuhn
As a Richmond, Michigan resident I was obligated to cheer on Lloyd Wismer and his number 11 stock car. Later on, when I owned my own business in Richmond, Lloyd had a local mechanic shop and did our work that was required on our business and personal cars. One great guy, Lloyd was. His car, you may remember, had "Great Guns" painted on the side. We always wondered what "Great Guns" referred to, and later found out, that, there must have been a (somewhat) local tavern, that may have helped "Whiz" by being a sponsor for his car. This tavern (name unknown to me now) evidently had a collection of guns (hanging on the wall), and was referred to as "Great Guns". Thanks for this great website. If anyone has any old pictures of #11, if you could email them to me, I would appreciate it. Thanks again.
3/21/2007 - Dave Lyall
Dave Dudek Sr.

Yeah, I was one of the "Campbell's Kids" in the early to mid-fifties, who hung around Campbell's Gulf at Stephens and Gratiot, and we sort of worked on the hot rods, washing them, banging out the fenders, and stripping out new bodies when needed. We also went to the races with them, and several of us were treated as family members of the Campbell's (Father Grant (WWI vet) Son Dean (WWII vet, and younger Son Ken (Korea vet) and the older employees such as Eddie Daniels. After I turned 16 (1955) I went to work for the Campbells, and worked both part time or full time untill the early 60's when I moved to the Dearborn Area to work at Ford Engineering. During my kid days we had the run of Campbell's, and I learned the basics of my shills in mechanics, metalworking and welding. Campbells was also a local hub for area racers, and names like Carson Zieter, Stan Yee, Cliff Sommers, Hub Blair, Bennie Howell, Clare Lawicki, Ray Niece, Jack Goodwin and many others often came in. In fact, as kids many of us had our own minature race track near Campbells, first with push-mobiles and later with home-made go carts. In fact the City was so concerned about the havoc we were causing with our go-carts, they built a dirt race track for us behind the East Detroit Teen Center, which doubled as an ice rink in the winter, to keep us off the streets. I used to go there with my cart (about a 1/3 scale midget) with a 5-gallon gan of gas, and run around the dirt track untill I was so tired I could not lift myself out of the car.

As we got older and graduated to real cars, as you say, the traffic signal at Stephens and Gratiot was like a Christmas Tree at a Dragstrip. I once watched in amazement as Stan Yee did a "burn-out" from Campbell's with his Olds-powered '53 Ford that would make John Force proud even today. East Detroit Police began using a de-comissioned police car as an unmarked car to crack-down on the racing, and I got a $90 ticket racing from that light. (which is about equivelent to a $1,500 fine in today money)

The Campbell family also ran a Pure station on Stephens Drive south of Hayes, and another Gulf Station in Roseville just south of 11 mile. I worked at all of them at one time or another.

Those were the days, my friend, those were the days. It is absoutely illegal to have that much fun, and be that outragous. And, at the time we did not give it a second thought, we thought everybody did that kind of stuff. Campbell's alumini gave GM thier Truck Engine Chief Engineer Bill Large, who retired in the late 90's, whatever contribution I made at Ford in thier racing effots, and several others who went on to sucessfull careers in the automotive industry. Dave Lyall, Livonia, Michigan.

3/16/2007 - Dave Dudek Sr
Hello Dave Lyall. You worked at Campbellls Sunoco at Stephens and Gratiot. Several of us were part-time employees of the Gratiot Stephens Speedway. That traffic signal was a great race starter light. I remember your name, but not sure if we ever met. Motor City Speedway was a great place for race fans, now we must visit Flat Rock. Joy Fair is a fan today, one of the popular drivers at MCS Dave Dudek
1/10/2007 - Unknown
Rita M. Rossi Geoffrey. I grew up one block East of the Speedway, in the rear of Rossi's Market on the Northeast corner of Eight Mile Rd. & Wellington, & then in the house directly behind the store. My father, Mario Rossi, come from Italy with Frank, Vic & Bib Ianelli, and later became friends with Andy Barto & Al Blixt. Dad also owned two Alinosi's stores on the east side of Detroit during the '50's. I & my two brothers were frequent young "guest" at the track in the late '40's & early '50's. My mom died in 1952 and dad remarried... Elizabeth "Betty" (Battistone) Mitchell, the widow of the then Speedway race starter, Bill Mitchell. Mario died in 1974 & Betty lives in an American House, Rochester Hills, Mi. She will be 99 years young in April.
12/30/2006 - Al Blixt,Jr.
It's 1932 and Detroit Has A New Speedway

The year was 1932. It was the bottom of the Depression. More than a third of Americans were unemployed. Banks were failing and people were lined up in bread lines to get something to eat. If there was ever a time not to start a business, the fall of 1932 was it. So, how did it happen that a new auto racing speedway came to be built at Eight Mile and Schoenherr Road in Detroit?

Here is the story of Don and Carson Zeiter and their "dream speedway"; one that would have many names; but ultimately became the legendary Motor City Speedway.

Most of us don't remember 1932 but we know times were hard. After the crash of 1929 there had been three years of unrelenting bad news. In the summer of 1932 the Republicans renominated Herbert Hoover and the Democrats selected the former New York governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt in a contest to see who could lead the country out of what was by then called the Great Depression.

There was unrest in the country. Two of the top songs of 1932 were, "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" and "In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town." Bonus_army_2

In June, 10,000 WWI veterans and their familes, dubbed the Bonus Army, were camped out in a shanty town in the Washington, D.C.,asking for early payment of the bonus they had been promised by a grateful nation a decade earlier. Infantry and cavalry troops commanded by Douglas MacArthur attacked and scattered the veterans killing two babies and filling local hospitals. People were discouraged. To learn more, go to Bonus Army.

So, it is no surprise that Don and Carson Zeiter were depressed as they drove back to Detroit in early September, 1932 after a disasterous auto racing program at the Fort Miami dirt track near Toledo. They had been sure that this program, touted as the first under the horse track's lights, would draw a big crowd despite the Depression. They were wrong. The people did not come. So after the purse had been paid and the fair board got the rest of the gate, the Zeiter brothers headed home with only a hard lesson as payment for their efforts.

They talked on the way home; agreeing that somehow they needed to build a track rather than renting from fair boards that didn't like auto racing anyway. As Carson tells the story in an article written years later, they were driving past the corner of 8 Mile and Schoenherr roads on the edge of the City of Detroit when suddenly Carson shouted, "That's It! That's It!" Looking across the road he saw what he knew would be an ideal site for a race track. It turns out the owner of the property, Mrs. Beste, was about to lose the property on back taxes and was willing to sign a lease based on a percentage of the profits. Beginning with that "no down payment" lease the entire new speedway was built "on the cuff".

In his article Carson Zeiter says, "During those black days of 1932, lumber was piled high in the mills and dealers were jumped with supplies and equipment that no one had money to buy. So, it was easy to promote these needed materials on credit. The merchants were willing to take a chance on the percentage of gate receipts. At this point construction was ready to begin except for one thing...NAILS. Lo and behold, they just couldn't be had without the cash. The assets on hand were $30 and a Model A coupe. So the car went and the nails were bought." (from" Motor City Speedway" by Carson Zeiter)

Construction began immediately on the original half-mile track, 60 feet wide with banks on the turns about 8 feet high and the straightaways banked about 3 feet high. The surface was oiled clay. The contour made it very fast with its 320 foot-long straightaways. The contractors worked with a will to complete the track in time to hold at least a few races before the Michigan winter began.

Just three weeks after construction started, the New Detroit Speedway opened for its first race on October 2, 1932 with A.A.A. Contest Board Sanction Grant No. 2675. A field of 22 race cars and drivers had been announced and everything possible was done to promote the race. Here, from that original program is the starting field including some names that would become very famous in years to come like Al Miller, John Wohlfiel, "Carmie" Frazzini, Howard Dauphin and a driver already famous from Anderson, Indiana by the name of Bob Carey.

But the most famous racer on the track on that day was not a driver. The Zeiter brothers took the unusual step of recruiting Gar Wood to be the starter for the race. A boat racing legend, Wood had won the prestigious Harmsworth trophy race for the 8th time on the Detroit river that summer before an estimated 1 million spectators. In winning the race and defeating his English rival, Wood shattered the world's record with a speed of 124.915 mph. He did it in what was referred to as "a madman's dream" by engineers. Missamericax1932_1 His craft, Miss America X was a 59 ft long monster powered by four 1800-horsepower, 12-cylinder Packard engines. His passion and reputation for speed made him a perfect fit.

The Zeiters hoped that having a sports superstar like Gar Wood would help bring in even people who were not familiar with the attraction of the high powered race cars that would be competing that day. Gar Wood photos courtesy of the archives of the Detroit News.

The question: Would the people come? The answer: YES.

The race was a big success and the track was on its way. I don't have a photo from that first race in 1932, but here is a 1934 shot by Al Blixt at the new speedway to give you an idea of what it felt like. Imagine coming to a race track where there had only been fields a month before and seeing spectacular action on a lightning fast half-mile dirt oval! There were four races on the program: 3 10-lap Elimination Races and a 40-Lap "Final Race". The feature that day was won by Bob Carey.

Bob Carey won the feature race on October 2nd. In doing so he set a world's record qualifying time of 23.57 seconds. He and went on to win the other two features at the New Detroit Speedway on October 9th and 16th. By year's end Carey had won the 1932 AAA Championship.

Carey started racing in 1921 at age 17. After three years he moved up to sprint cars. He was regularly upstaging his team mate, Mauri Rose, so badly that Rose broke up the team. In his only appearance at the Indy 500 in 1932 he placed fourth. Tragically, Carey was killed April 16, 1933, cutting short one of the most promising racing careers between the two World Wars, possibly by a throttle jammed full on, at Legion Ascot Speedway in Los Angeles, California. Photo credit: unknown. For more on Bob Carey see Motorsport Memorial.

Footnote to History:The original program: I recently discovered the program that was in inspiration for this feature and I found it fascinating. Even the ads were interesting.

Two of the contractors that hurried to complete the speedway, Ray Kebbe, Inc and Restrick Lumber Co., ended up as advertisers in the program for the first race that was held just three weeks after work began. Kebbe and Ed Apel took over operation of the track a few years later and eventually sold the lease to Andy Barto after the war (the topic of another story coming soon).

The other advertisers included Jaekel Bros. Ambulance ("Everybody's Favorite" says the ad), Fronty Sales Co. ("Watch the Fords in Today's Races"), EHMS, "Little Joe"Brand Grade A Meat Products ("Served exclusively at this track"), the ever-present Coca-Cola Bottling Co. ("Refresh Yourself")and, my favorite, the Essex Terraplane from Raynal Bros. "America's Lowest Priced Sedan - 6 Cylinders-5 Passengers-4 Doors". Their
12/18/2006 - Pat Lubomski
My Grandfather was Herb Pranger Owner of the Dirt Mover Specials and Pranger Excavating , at about 8 1/2 mile and Groesbeck in Warren(across from the Divco dealer) Felix Brooks,Carl Forberg(forbergs bar) Johnny White and Vern "flip' Fritch were friends of our family. We had Stock and Sprint cars till about 1967 when Herb passed away. In about 1995 I salvaged all the race realted items to donate to the Ypsilanti Auto Museum, and Jack Miller's Hudson Dealership. Heading them off from being trashed. Well them were the days, racing on Gratiot, M97 and Woodward Ave, runnin' nitro on the street, Cars like Color me Gone, the Ramchargers, and my grandpa letting me "kick the tires" or go for free samples from Tom at Zero's diner ..... God Bless You, GREAT site, Pat Lubomski
12/4/2006 - Tim Brooks
THANX DAVE
12/3/2006 - Dave Lyall
I went to Felix Brook’s Memorial Mass today; spent some time with Tim and the family. I looked hopefully for some familiar faces, and saw none that I recognized for sure. I guess I was hoping to see Herb Pranger, Andy Barto, Bill Mitchel, Clem Van Rossen, Bill Toia, Carson Zieter, Iggy Katona, Mickey Cooper, Cliff Sommers, the Campbell’s, and all the rest of the old gang. I thought about it for a while and the 52 years since the last time I saw them all. I was initially saddened to think about MCS and all these people passing from us, but then realized, they were there, along with Felix and the rest of his family who have left us. Whatever your view of the hereafter is, the veil that separates this life from the next, they are with us; we just can not see them.

Motor City Speedway has come and gone, along with our fiends and heroes of that time. But now there are other speedways, and other drivers, and other owners, and other officials. And there are other young men and women who will come back in another 50 years and lament about the good old days. Such is this journey we call life.

In the final analysis, I take comfort in knowing we will all be together on that final day, and also I take great pleasure in reminiscing the events and the people which have provided all these memories. These guys were regular guys, doing extraordinary things, because they knew they could, they were compelled to do it, and they loved to do it. And I enjoyed being a part of it, and in taking my generations turn with the wrench and the wheel. I can still remember what those race cars smelled like when they let the spectators come in the pits after the races. That combination of hot metal, hot rubber, hot caster oil and hot enamel paint, the smell only race cars have. I can still hear Carson Zieter’s excited description of the races, I can still taste those delicious French Fries, I can still remember Hank’s William’s version of Jambalaya playing over the PA during intermissions, I can still smell the warm summer night air as I walked back home after the races. Yes, I will remember it always. And I am grateful this site has given us a way of sharing it all. God Speed Felix, and all the rest who have gone on ahead of us. Dave Lyall
11/29/2006 - Tim Brooks
Just a quick note to pass on Felix BB Eyes Brooks died on Halloween day, his memorial mass is Saturday Dec 2 at 10 am at St. Cyril Church Taylor MI - Race in Peace BB
11/28/2006 - Dave Lyall
To Deis Souliere: As a youngster I was a Motor City Speedway rug rat, and hanging around the after the races I got to know many of the drivers, owners and officials. I have memories posted about the "hardtops" already, but I also watched the midgets, roadsters, and the motorcycles. One of the drivers I became good friends with was Ted Kales. (who lived on Hazelwood in Detroit) Ted drove both "Hardtops" (#70V for Mann's Welding) and motorcycles. Ted's motorcycle number was also 70V (Expert Class) and his bike was also a Norton. I went to both bike and car races with Ted, his fiancée Glenna and mechanic Kirby (who was partially crippled from a motorcycle accident) in 1953 and 1954. Ted introduced me to many of his motorcycle racing buddies, but the only one I remember is Paul Goldsmith, who also went on to drive stock cars, and was my neighbor after I got married and moved to St. Clair Shores. Unfortunately, Ted was fatally injured while participating in another of his great loves, aircraft stunt flying, Labor Day 1977. Ted had a daughter from his first marriage, (I have forgotten her name for sure, but I think it was Dorothy) who should be around 60 today.
11/13/2006 - Deis Souliere
The entry by Linda Pulturak-Conti I thought would surely stir up some motorcycle memories. Didn't they run the motorcycles every Saturday night for a while at Motor City? As memory serves me there were some really good shoes running there and of course her dad was one of them. Racers like Billy Doster, Chuck Ulevich, Pete Peterson and Gerry Winterburn threw the dirt around there as well. As for Nick I had the pleasure of seeing him run at Windsor and he could make that Norton go. Any more names to throw out?
11/10/2006 - Sean Fitzgerald
Just came from the Hudson Museum in Ypsilanti. They have trophies from the 50's for Sunset, Partington's and Motorcity. Plus gentleman who runs it says they used to have a small track on a farm in Ypsi off Huron Road which only ran a couple of summers.
11/4/2006 - Sean Fitzgerald
From what I gather from the Al Blixt site, Motor City was opened as New Detroit Speedway in 1932. Al Jr. has some great info on his site including a program cover, entry list and photos. He also said that he believes that partingtons pasture was called New Detroit for a time.
10/15/2006 - Sean Fitzgerald
I went to the al blixt auto racing site. There is a page about "New Detroit Speedway," complete with pictures of the program, photos and entry listing. which opened in 1932 I think. Did this Become Motor City Speedway?
10/8/2006 - Chuck Georgi
I remember begging mom and dad when I was 6-7 years old to PLEASE let me stay up and watch the races on tv. My dad and I went several times and I have been a lifelong race fan ever since then. I went to grade school with Clem Vanrossen's son Rick and thought it was so cool to know him (Clem was the starter). Skeeter Ross in the 7-11 was my favorite. We moved away around 57 or 58.
9/30/2006 - Robert Burbary
motor city speedway was the beginning of my love for stockcar racing. in 1955 my dad took me there (i was 5 then). i remember the cars as being like big midget style cars. fred wolfe doing the announcing. the street stock cars with a trunk load of sand (for better traction) and my favorite a silver convertable. the best part was at the end my dad would put me on his shoulders and let me wave hello to my mom at home because the races were also on tv. my neighbor buddy joey would go there and sneak in all the time. so it was funny when we would see good ole joey there at the track. lol
9/5/2006 - Mike Diviney
I remember running my old 1932 chevy around the half mile at Motor City when it was closed up during WWII. There was an ice skating pond in the middle of the quarter mile.After the war when the Offy midgets came,some of the names I remember were Sam Hanks,Duke Nalon,Shorty Tempelman,Carl Forberg,Ralph Pratt,Gays Biro,Al Placky and many others.And from the motorcycles Leo Anthony,Nick Pultorak,Al Knapp,Hank Stickney and many others
8/26/2006 - Denis Souliere
I read where some one was looking for pictures of the roadsters. Ken Coles did take some photos at the Old Windsor Speedway (Yes that Ken Coles) One of his photos appeared in an issue of OPEN WHEEL; Gerv Umeks no. 32. Another guy who used up a pile of flash bulbs at the Windsor track was an associate of Jake Nakama. I was told he was a brother of Jakes but of that, I cant be sure. Now if any one has a line on Jake, maybe we can find some pictures. The gang that ran at Windsor was the same group that ran at M.C.S. Marion Adams was the big gun there followed by the likes of Goodwin ,Miller, Rogers,Umek, Brooks, Lewicky, Roman,Foreman and the rest of the group.
8/26/2006 - Denis Souliere
What a great site! Ican only sit and read the entries with a great amount of envy because I was never able to get to the Motor City Speedway. I chuckled when I read an entry stating there were not any great or big money shows. I would say that every midget show at the M.C.S. was a great show. Some of the best who ever strapped their butts in a race car raced at that facility wether it was midgets or roadster or stockers! Can any tell me why Eddy Ostwick and Buddy Huesman are not in the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame?
7/10/2006 - Jeff Nemens
Just discovered this great site! Our folks took my brother and I to "the races" circa early fifties. Remember 1st visit and Iggy Katona blowing a tire and hitting the wall smack dab in front of us! We always sat in the fourth turn a fought back the dirt in our drinks. Loved to go down on the infield for autographs after the races. Theres a book them somewhere.................. One of the most vivis memories is my intro to the mensroom as a 6 year old clutching my Dads hand! What ever happened to those black guys chanting and handing out towels for tips???????
6/22/2006 - Steve Bago
As a kid, I remember sitting on my porch on Annott and Collingham and we could hear the roar of the engines on race nights. Occaisionally our Dad would take us to the races and we always waited to see someone join the "Upsideown Club". We would watch the "powderpuff" women races, the midgets, and of course the "jalopys". After the races, we would go into the pits and it was a big deal to touch the slick tires and feel how warm they still were.
5/7/2006 - Van
Debbie Moore, your father worked accross the street from where i grew up, Foster and richardson. I remember skeeter well-- my dad was somewhat involved with midgets in 40s and 50s.. I used to talk to Skeeter alot about racing as a youngster, my uncle Ted owned a car driven by ross Crown-- I can still see Skeeter driving his Hylo-- my family knew him for many years. Dan
4/2/2006 - Eric Schulz
Reference a message left on 8/9/2005 by Larry Preston. I hope Larry sees this new message. I had left one the site for Mount Clemens in 2005 but had a little bad info. I was in the understanding that my grandfather had purchased Iggy Katonas T3 roadster from him. In fact he purchased it from Marion Adams. I currently have the main body parts for that car (tub and turtle deck). I found that out when I sat down with my dad, Al Schulz and Sid Keller who drove for my dad. Id like to send some pictures I have of cars from The 1950s that were taken at MotorCity and Mt Clemens if someone can let me know how to send it to this web site for everyone to see.
2/26/2006 - Linda Pultorak-Conti
My father raced flat track motorcycles at Motor City back in the 40s. Have several photos, but would love to have more and any programs that might mention him. He rode Indians, Nortons and Harleys. His nickname was the "Wild Man from Detriot". Dad is a healthy 88 year old living in Ann Arbor.
2/7/2006 - Lance Payton
What a cool website. My Grandmother LeFevre was living in the 3 story brick home in the parking lot when I was young. I can remember going up in her top floor and being able to see the cars come around one of the turns. I was very young so I cont remember too much about being at the track but I know I was cause I have a picture sitting in a race car with one of the drivers. We have a couple other cool pictures Ive got to try and locate.One I remember was of the parking lot, (Grandma lived in the middle of it). It was full of cars of the day which struck me as being very old . Hope I can find it Ill send it in if I can figure out how.
2/4/2006 - Craig Williamson
My father used to race stock cars at motor city speedway in the early and mid 50s. I dont remember all his car numbers but (xxx) was one of them. He raced Hudson Hornets mostly. He won a points championship one year and also joined the upside down club. we still have his trophies. He also raced at Flat Rock. My uncle Bill Williamson also raced too. Does anyone remember them? I remember names like George Cooper, Felix Brooks, Joy Fair.
12/13/2005 - Dave Lyall
Don &Dain: Thanks for the picture of Bennie Howell, and the Naida update. Glad to hear "Wild Bill" is still with us. You are right about the Campbells car numbers painted inside dice. (Bennie was disquailified for a period of time for some infraction, but continued to drive under the assumed name "Pete Pizon") The periods I attended the MCS races regulary were from 1952 through 1954. By 1955, I was gravating to MARCs new car circut, traveling with another adopted older brother, Jim Large, who now owns James Martin Chevrolet. During the 52 to 54 time, the consistant hot dogs were Jack Goodwin (car 11) and Wild Bill Naida (car 95). I believe sometime in 1954 (or so) they switched rides. The other Hot Dogs with good equiptment who come to mind were Rodger Yates, Felix Brooks, Bob Sampson, Bill Hollaway, Iggy Katona (not a regular) and strong runners Ronnie Dumann, Rodger Lindamood, Leon Blatchura (sic) Bumgartener Bros, Ted Kales, Jack Conley, ect. Dave Lyall
12/11/2005 - Dan Baumgarten
Note to Dave Lyall.....I ran across this old program with Bennie Howells picture in it, thought you might be interested. I remember the car as being white with red lettering with the numbers painted on a pair of dice....like Bennies helmet in the picture. This page also has a lot of old names and numbers, although my memory doesnt agree with some of the listings. Also pictured is Roger "Cannonball" Yates.
12/11/2005 - Dan Baumgarten
Wild Bill Naida....one of my first favorite drivers from Motor City....If I remember correctly, I was only 5 or 6 years old, but I think he drove a #95 or #98 with a black cat or panther painted on the side of the car.
11/26/2005 - Dave Lyall
Having been introduced to the Motor City Speedway "Hot Rod Races" on TV with Fred Wolf, I noticed the filling station near my parents East Detroit Home, Campbells Gulf Service, located at on the N/W corner of Stephens Drive and Gratiot built a "Hardtop" in 1952 and kept it parked in thier station parking lot. That was too much for me, and I started hanging around there, before I was old enough to work there. Soon, there were several other kids from the neighborhood and we became Campbells crew, banging out the fenders and washing the car after each race. Thier number was 7-11 and the driver was Benny Howell, who lived in Pontiac. They raced a number of cars through 1954, and I soon was old enough to pump gas (although I had been doing it anyway for years) and went to work for the Campbells. They were a great and generous bunch, (Father Grant and two sons, Dean and Ken) and I worked for them off and on in to the 60s when I moved away to work at Ford Engineering in Dearborn. The experience shaped my skills and my love of motorsports. Us kids had the run of Campbells, and we did things in those days that would make lawyers faint today. Campbells sold one of thier cars to Cliff Sommers, who used the 7-11 number on his 1949 Ford, when it won the 1953 State Fairgrounds Stock Car race with Paul Goldsmith driving. Paul went on to use that number himself in NASCAR. The Campbells treated me like family, and that is how I think of them today. Dave Lyall
11/20/2005 - Ed Graf
I am the person who built the Beste roadster model. I did it when i was 14 yrs old. That was 56 years ago. I took the parts down to Ed Beste when he was painting the real race car and he sprayed the same Ford Bayview Blue on the model. Check out the pic at the bottom of the Motor city speedway site. The model is still displayed along with my REAL 1974 Grant King Dirt Champ car And Sesco powered Midget.
9/25/2005 - Debbie Moore
My dad was Skeeter Ross who raced at Motor cIty Speedway, my mom and him are pictured on the program, I remember being there watching my dad when I was young, that was racing, Dad and Mom live in Roseville, MI. and we still talk about all the good times back then, my godfather was Wally Starnes and we were good friends with Clem VanRosen and even visited the Zeiters up north. I used to laugh when dad lost a wheel driving and continued on "three" wheels, I remember it all so well. Thanks for the wonderful racing site, today I am a big Nascar fan and will always have speed in my blood. Debbie Moore, Skeeter and Marges daughter.
8/24/2005 - Randy Adam
This past weekend for the NASCAR race, Benny Parsons made reference to MOTOR CITY SPEEDWAY as that is where his father took him to watch the races. Bennys father passed away this past week and Benny was inducted in to the Mi. Notorsports Hall of Fame (in Novi).
8/9/2005 - Larry Preston
MCS was a 2nd. home for me. My father "Hod" Preston ran roadsters there in 40s & 50s. He was a co-promoter with Andy Barto and help charter the MMSRA. At the time we lived over Marion Adams folks store on Tarnow Street. Would like some imfo. on any of the roadsters of that time such as #15 owned by Beste family, T-3 of Marion Adams#33 of Cecil Hayes. Great site.
7/29/2005 - Paul Puruleski
Motor City Speedway was the best of its time. My Uncle John raced there under the name of Johnny Kirk , in the early and mid 50s. When I wasnt at the track, I would enjoy Fred Wolffs T.V. commentary, in black and white. Keep up this great site.
7/27/2005 - Bruce Thomas
I have a midget that was raced in the forties at Motor city speedway. The driver / constructor was Orville Lane. Does anyone know if someone has programs from the track during the forties? I would love to get a copy of one with Orville listed.
3/9/2005 - Frank Beste
I am the 2 oldest son of Al (Frances) BESTE. The track was owned by the Beste, Mccourt and Lefevres. My dad used to take care of the pit gate and my uncle Alex took care of the main gate. To clear things up the track was torn down because of a major fire in the main grand stands in Sept. 1959. They started selling the property in 60 & 61. They only raced on Mon, Wed & Sat. before 1950, I dont know. My Uncle Ed did not own a race car. The Ed Beste who owned the car was a cousin. In 34 yrs. of racing at the speedway, 9 people died, 3 were in the grand stands when a midget jumped the retaining wall. I never missed a race night from 1950 on. I want to thank every one who work there and raced.
3/9/2005 - Kenneth C Zeiter
I will be at the Toledo Reunion this weekend with boxes of old photos with pics from Motor City Speedway, Fort Miami, Toledo and Race Way Park Toledo. Look forward to meeting everyone. Ken Zeiter
2/21/2005 - Randy Adam
Just an FYI: Thomas Jefferson Phillips Jr. who use to race at Motor City Speedway passed away this past week. He raced car # 00 in the late 50s/early 60s.
2/7/2005 - Ed Graf
Saw Kaye Douglas note. The Ed Beste i referred to was the car owner. I do not think he was a relative of the track site owners. He ran a wheel alignment and frame streightening shop on Gratiot Ave. Its great to see so many people respondingto the site. Keep it coming and GIT ER DONE!!!!
2/7/2005 - Dan Baumgarten
Motor City and Mt. Clemens were where I grew up. Seemed like almost every night of the week we were at one or the other. My dad and his four brothers were the Baumgartens, and they all raced mostly for fun. Ed, Don, Erv, Fred, Norbert and then a brother in law came into it, Donnie Pearl. George Cooper #33, little yellow car sponsered by Embassy Hall. Remember Wayne Bennets little red #52 with Bugs Bunny on the side....Harmon Wilcott #02. Lots more memories for another time.
2/7/2005 - Kaye Douglass
I would like for Kevin Zieter to email me. Remember Carson well. Glad to hear Ann is still alive. We lived in the big brick house. I didnt know my Uncle Ed Beste ever drove cars. Wow! Kaye
2/7/2005 - Robert E. LeFevre
The property that the Motor City Speedway was located on was the Joseph Beste farm who was my grandfather. My mother is Agnes Beste LeFevre. The track was opened in 1932. My grandmother Gertrude Beste lived in the brick house on the property. I was born and raised in Center Line, and I worked at the track after the war selling Coca Cola and French Fries. My two uncles also worked there. Alex (Sonny) Beste and Al (Aloysius) Beste.
12/29/2004 - Ed Graf
Sure would be nice to get a few photos of the roadsters and hardtops. Any available? The one roadster pic on the site Shows the Beste roadster on the Outside rear start position.
12/17/2004 - Randy Adam
Norma, check the posting I did on the Mt. Clemens Racetrack on 7-27-2003. I mentioned your dad. I remember him racing the figure 8 out at MCR. He was a total crowd favorite. What a great time that was back then. I use to go there every Mon., Thurs. and Saturday nights. The double "O" was my favorite. The driver I use to follow and know was Lloyd Goodrich in the sportsman class. And Stan Yees car was driven by Marv Parenteau at that time. I have great memories of the track and events there. I even particapated in demo derbys there. Also, I do remember a boycott one night were the drivers packed it up and drove all the cars loaded on the trailers down the front stretch to exit. Ahh, I could go on & on..what a great place for so many memories!!!
12/12/2004 - Norma.com
The person that had the spark plug on the roof of his race car was my father Norm Tucker. He raced at Motor city speedway ,flat rock and mostly at Mt. Clemens Race Track. He always had a yellow Ford race car with the number 500. He loved to race the figure 8 at Mount clemens with others like Bob Belz,Jim Folske,Kurt Juip and many more names. We went all the time I loved to watch all the greats ray Nece, Stan Yee, Joe Ruttman, Erv Baumgartner, Carl Sholtz. I miss those days esspecially growing up on those bleachers when it was a dirt track. My dad had a great picture of the Mount Clemens Race Track he lent it to a couple fo drivers that raced at Mount Clemens who were twins. If anybody could remember their name or how my mom could get it back we would appreciate it. I love your web site.
11/27/2004 - Dan Ostwick
My dad, Eddie, drove midgets at Motor City, Zeiter, etc, in the 30s and 40s. He won the MCS championship in 1939 driving an outboard owned by Dick Harroun, son of Ray Harroun of Indy fame. I have his trophy and pictures of him being presented with the trophy as well as many other pictures. Second place was Ronny Householder in an Offy. I also have about 70 MCS programs from the 30s and 40s.
11/23/2004 - Rick Sieger
Thank You Vic Taylor for your post. Is it possible that you could put up some of those photographs of MCS like Ed Graf did?
11/21/2004 - Vic Taylor
My grandfather Vic Ianelli along with my 3 uncles Andy Barto, Frank Ianelli, and Jim Capello took over the track in 1945. Andy Barto was the race promoter. This was family run, from my grandmother and aunts that took care of the ticket sales, to my mother and father and all of the cousins and friends that ran the concession stands (French Fries). They had the track until 1958. Andy Barto went on to promote wrestling on TV at CKLW Channel 9 in Canada. I have found about 30 pictures of the track and some of the drivers (most of them are the 1/4 midget cars). Some of the drivers pictures are from 1947 . Bud Huseman A Hartsfeld, Ralph Pratt, D Carter T Duncan, Pete Romcevich, Al Bonnell, Iggy Katona, Carl Forberg, Duke Nalon, George Witzman, Sam Hanks. I also have pictures from Sept. 10 1950 auto race from the Michigan State Fair, program, and timing sheet from the race. I will also be letting some of my cousins know about this site and find out what pictures they have.
11/16/2004 - Kevin Zeiter
My grandfather was Carson, he died at age 73. He moved from east detroit to grand lake just south of roger city. My grandmother is Ann Zeiter, still alive at 78. They raised 5 Boys who all were involved at the track. Ken,Ron, Dan,Jerry,Larry. My dad is Ken who lives in Clawson and also has a home on Grand Lake.My grandfather Loved to hunt and fish and he did so when ever the season would allow him. the last race he anounced I believe was at the Alpena faregrounds "snow mobile race"do not remember the year but around 1975 . My grandfather was inducted into the michigan moter sport hall of fame just before he died .
9/25/2004 - Teri
If I remember correctly, the driver with the spark plug on the roof was Norm Tucker.
9/11/2004 - Ed Graf
Floyd Rice Ford was the TV sponsor at Motor city. The TV was on Monday nites. The stock class was sedans and coupes that had"stock to the eye engines. They had a roaring roadster class tht allowed unlimited engines. they were flat head Fords. I got my start at Motor city with Ed Beste who won the track championship many times in both hardtops and roadsters. Roger Yates drove his h.t. and Jack Goodwin the roadster.Al Millel who later raced at the 500 also drove the roadster. I now have a Grant King Dirt Champ car. Ran it in the Silver Crown division of USAC. Still run the car in vintage races. I am the guy who has a picture of the Motor City Speedway taken from the air.
9/11/2004 - Walter Hermance
My buddies and I never missed the three nites aweek racing MCS.My favorite drivers were Ale Miller and JACK GOODWIN and most of all IGGY K .I had a lot of pics MCS and the cars racing.I lost some over the years,but still have some.I lived two miles from the track.My friends and I were building a 39 ford to race there,in 1951.The Korean war and the draft ended the project.
9/11/2004 - Dave Dudek Sr
I was a fan and attended the Speedway in the late 50s. The drivers I recall include Mickey Katlin, Wayne Bennett, Artie Summers, Joy Fair, Rusty Kelly, (Unfortunately met his demise while racing). Rusty had a modified car billed as the most powerful "hardtop" in the world, it had a Buick V 8. Who can forget the fries with vinegar!!
9/11/2004 - Ed Graf
Fred Wolf was indeed the TV announcer. The Tv sponser was Floyd Rice Ford which was at the time located on Gratiot Ave between 7 and8 mile roads. The track did host big names after the 2nd w/war. All of the big time midget drivers were there including AJ Foyt . Ed Beste owned the #15 roadster that was driven by Jack Goodwin, Al Miller and Hank Stickney. I spent almost every Monday, Thursday and Saturday nite at the track. Took my wife to her first race there. Married 45 trs now. After the races we went and parked to discuss the races.
9/11/2004 - Ed.C.Weyn
I lived just North of 7 Mile,East of Schoenherr up until 48 (as a kid) and I remember the motorcycle and midget races,we could hear them all the way to my home on Pfent St.As my uncle was a flagger on the track (motorcycle races only) my dad would take us to cycle races almost every week.Remember Paul Goldsmith,one of the top riders.
9/11/2004 - Kristin H.
Im looking for anyone that help me locate any old pics from Motor City Speedway or any info that would help my grandfather owned a car and the drivers race name was Al Miller and im not sure how to spell his real last name but is was Kruelock he actually never told his wife he was racing so he went by Al Miller and my grandpas name was H. Hunt, if anyone knows anything please let me know - thank you.
9/11/2004 - Ron Wilson
I remember going ther when I was kid. Some of my favorite drivers were Ray Niece(sp) and Erve Bumgartner(sp)..who was the driver with the sparlkplug on the roof of the car?
3/22/2004 - Dave Lyall
I grew up 1 1/2 miles north of the track, which in the early 50s raced three nights a week. As a kid, I watched the races on TV on Thursdays, Tuesdays I walked to the races, and Saturday, my dad would drop me off. I got to know many of the drivers, and when my Dad would come to pick me up, he would have a beer with them in the refreshment area below the grandstands while the drivers were waiting for thier purses to be paid. This experience started me on a life-long involvement with motorsports.
2/19/2004 - J. Hoover
For a time the races were on TV. The broadcaster was Fred Wolf. As kids watching, we all waited for someone to join the "Upsidedown Club". I think Marolis Chevrolet was one of the sponsers, and would roll the cars onto a set, and advertise the cars price.
11/18/2003 - Ross Quinlan
Motor City Speedway was located in Warren Township not Detroit and it was in Macomb County not Wayne...its zip code would have been 48089 if there were zip codes at that time...its now the City of Warren.Also there was a "Cinema City" movie house located on that site after Motor City was torn down...
10/1/2003 - Chris Wilt
Thanks for adding this track to this amazing site. My father actually worked at MCS, selling seat cushions as a teenager. Our family also knew a female driver, Freida "Fritzie" Herman, who drove a pink car in the Powder Puff races. Does anyone have any pictures of this facility or any of the cars???
 Photos:77
Motor City Speedway - From Steve Wolski
From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - From Steve Wolski
From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Rare Photo From Neil Hammack
Rare Photo From Neil Hammack
Motor City Speedway - From Steve Wolski
From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Rare Photo From Neil Hammack
Rare Photo From Neil Hammack
Motor City Speedway - Rare Photo From Neil Hammack
Rare Photo From Neil Hammack
Motor City Speedway - Motor City Speedway From Ed Graf
Motor City Speedway From Ed Graf
Motor City Speedway - Vintage From Randy
Vintage From Randy
Motor City Speedway - Strongman Pulling Pace Car From Randy
Strongman Pulling Pace Car From Randy
Motor City Speedway - Uncle Bill From Bob Mineau
Uncle Bill From Bob Mineau
Motor City Speedway - Grandpa Mineau From Bob Mineau
Grandpa Mineau From Bob Mineau
Motor City Speedway - Grandpa Mineau From Bob Mineau
Grandpa Mineau From Bob Mineau
Motor City Speedway - Iggy Katona From Steve Wolski
Iggy Katona From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Jack Goodwin And Bill Toia From Steve Wolski
Jack Goodwin And Bill Toia From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Uncle Bill From Bob Mineau
Uncle Bill From Bob Mineau
Motor City Speedway - From Steve Wolski
From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Carl Forberg From Steve Wolski
Carl Forberg From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Felix Brooks From Steve Wolski
Felix Brooks From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Neal Carter Midget Champ 1949-50-51 From Steve Wolski
Neal Carter Midget Champ 1949-50-51 From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Old Program Dan Baumgarten
Old Program Dan Baumgarten
Motor City Speedway - Felix Brooks From Steve Wolski
Felix Brooks From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Eddie Ostwick Midget Champ 1939 From Steve Wolski
Eddie Ostwick Midget Champ 1939 From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Carl Forberg Midget Champ 1948 From Steve Wolski
Carl Forberg Midget Champ 1948 From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Jack Goodwin From Steve Wolski
Jack Goodwin From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - From Brian C Walker
From Brian C Walker
Motor City Speedway - From Brian C Walker
From Brian C Walker
Motor City Speedway - From Brian C Walker
From Brian C Walker
Motor City Speedway - From Brian C Walker
From Brian C Walker
Motor City Speedway - From Brian C Walker
From Brian C Walker
Motor City Speedway - From Brian C Walker
From Brian C Walker
Motor City Speedway - Old Photo
Old Photo
Motor City Speedway - Old Photo
Old Photo
Motor City Speedway - From Motor City Speedway Program 1957 From Dan Baumgarten
From Motor City Speedway Program 1957 From Dan Baumgarten
Motor City Speedway - From The Frontstretch Motor City Speedway From Dan Baumgarten
From The Frontstretch Motor City Speedway From Dan Baumgarten
Motor City Speedway - Fourth Turn Motor City Speedway From Dan Baumgarten
Fourth Turn Motor City Speedway From Dan Baumgarten
Motor City Speedway - Motor City Speedway Program 1956 From Dan Baumgarten
Motor City Speedway Program 1956 From Dan Baumgarten
Motor City Speedway - Motor City Program 1956 From Dan Baumgarten
Motor City Program 1956 From Dan Baumgarten
Motor City Speedway - Johnny Knapp On Bsa From Steve
Johnny Knapp On Bsa From Steve
Motor City Speedway - Old Pic From 1934
Old Pic From 1934
Motor City Speedway - Replica Of Ed Beste Roadster From Paul Graf
Replica Of Ed Beste Roadster From Paul Graf
Motor City Speedway - Replica Of Ed Beste Roadster From Paul Graf
Replica Of Ed Beste Roadster From Paul Graf
Motor City Speedway - Flag From Randy
Flag From Randy
Motor City Speedway - Program From Randy
Program From Randy
Motor City Speedway - 1930S Article From Jim Heddle
1930S Article From Jim Heddle
Motor City Speedway - 1930S Article From Jim Heddle
1930S Article From Jim Heddle
Motor City Speedway - 1930S Article From Jim Heddle
1930S Article From Jim Heddle
Motor City Speedway - 1930S Article From Jim Heddle
1930S Article From Jim Heddle
Motor City Speedway - 1930S Article From Jim Heddle
1930S Article From Jim Heddle
Motor City Speedway - Joy Fair From Robert Krupa
Joy Fair From Robert Krupa
Motor City Speedway - From Steve Wolski
From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Skeeter Ross From Steve Wolski
Skeeter Ross From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - From Robert Krupa
From Robert Krupa
Motor City Speedway - Gil Chumley From Steve Wolski
Gil Chumley From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Leo Anthony From Steve Wolski
Leo Anthony From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Nick Pultorak From Steve Wolski
Nick Pultorak From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Reggie Mull From Steve Wolski
Reggie Mull From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Seasons Greetings From Steve Wolski
Seasons Greetings From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Skeeter Ross From Rick Liblong
Skeeter Ross From Rick Liblong
Motor City Speedway - Upside Down Club From Steve Wolski
Upside Down Club From Steve Wolski
Motor City Speedway - Vintage Pic From Marty Bliven
Vintage Pic From Marty Bliven
Motor City Speedway - From Jim Heddle
From Jim Heddle
Motor City Speedway - Vintage Pic From Marty Bliven
Vintage Pic From Marty Bliven
Motor City Speedway - Leo Anthony From Charlie Lecach
Leo Anthony From Charlie Lecach
Motor City Speedway - 1948 Speed Calculator From Lynn Anderson
1948 Speed Calculator From Lynn Anderson
Motor City Speedway - Leo Anthony From Charlie Lecach
Leo Anthony From Charlie Lecach
Motor City Speedway - Ray Goff From Charlie Lecach
Ray Goff From Charlie Lecach
Motor City Speedway - Wayne Bennett News Clippings 26
Wayne Bennett News Clippings 26
Motor City Speedway - Wayne Bennett Race Car Pics 22
Wayne Bennett Race Car Pics 22
Motor City Speedway - Gar Wood
Gar Wood
Motor City Speedway - Old Program
Old Program
Motor City Speedway - Program From Randy
Program From Randy
Motor City Speedway - Flyer From Randy
Flyer From Randy
Motor City Speedway - Old Aerial
Old Aerial
Motor City Speedway - From Bob Mineau
From Bob Mineau
Motor City Speedway - Program
Program
Motor City Speedway - Score Sheet
Score Sheet
Motor City Speedway - Time Sheet From Charles Chenowth
Time Sheet From Charles Chenowth
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