Raceway Park - Final Goodbye Before Torn Down In 2001

[@davidstaudohar8147]

The Best times of my Childhood were on that corner, Wonderful memories Great footage📽 🎞🎞🎞🎞 ‼️

[@davidstaudohar6733]

🔴🦅🇺🇸🦅 Wonderful memories of the Race way Park , I grew up in Calumet park and Blue Island Illinois 👍👍👍👍‼️

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

Lots of memories. Started going in 96. Always got a burger, cup of fries, nachos and an rc lol. Our spot was the top of the stairs west of the booth. I remember seeing a drunk guy eat it really bad down those stairs in the rain (he didnt feel it til he sobered up lol), snowcones getting tossed on track, making fun of gary ravens fan club (i was a brolick fan lol), racing go karts across the street, the firework guys running around lighting stuff old school with flares, just so much stuff. My fav drivers were always cool to hang out with after the race, let me sit in their cars. Theyd give me paint for my model cars id make of their cars. Absolutely great times.

[@plisskenationbackfromthede3657]

I cleared out stores that had 1/64 80s monte carlo diecasts so i could have my own raceway races at home lol i had most cars from all 3 classes painted up. Made a 1/24 of brolicks 55 car. He was mega impressed with that lol. I was def his #1 fan. Hed always go out of his way for me to hang out after races. Wish i was 12 again and rp was still around

[@JrGoonior]

@6:30 I still remember the screaming 302 in a Ford Maverick coming out of the pits during an Enduro race in about 1989 or 90.

[@mesillahills]

Great Video - Thanks. I first went to Raceway Park in 1949 with my father and was there the last time in 1964. I cannot believe how little it changed over the years. I can still taste those 10 cent paper wrapped tamales from the refreshment stand, and still see good old number 77's (Bud Koehler's) car parked in the up-front spot next to the track-side building along the east turns. And who can forget Wayne Adams, the Automobile Song (which I have an actual copy of by Benny Bell), and Louis Panico and the team races. And I still remember the names Pete Jennin and Jimmy Dorico (sp ?) in my head. Most people don't realize that there were no yellow flags back in those days. There was only red to stop the race. If you got in a wreck you sat in your car until the race was over unless you signaled an infield man for help or looked unconscious. Now that was exciting !!! For those that never saw Bud Koehler race, you have never seen a real stock car driver. And in those days all races were in reverse order (fastest in back). The man was amazing. He won over 500 features for a U.S. record. And racing was every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night !

[@daveprince8003]

Thank u for posting this. Big part of my life was spent there. Brought back great memories....😢😢😢 What a great place to go to!!!

[@ShortTrackNews]

No problem Dave, a lot of us Cal Park boys spent a lot of time there.

[@DavidLouisLouis-qh9ni]

This rips my heart ♥️ out , no doubt, David Staudohar USMC USN SS USCG 12345 Honore ave , My childhood memories on film 🎥🎬🎞️🎞️, posting an honorable memories of James Snell , raceway Park maintenance supervisor and his beloved family June Jane and his son Jr. 🙏♥️🇺🇸 God bless the blue collar working man

[@iamkazie9401]

Was so sad to see the track go spent many weekends there starting in 1980 with my girlfriend now my wife we were 16-15 and loved going there stash kuhlman was her neighbor thanks for sharing

[@craignorkus8864]

A bittersweet documentary-like video. With the long history of Raceway Park in mind, it's a much needed video. While there may be others out there that I'm not aware of, I happened upon this one and very happy to have seen it. In fact, I'm going to download and put it on a dvd disk to view with my 90 year old dad this weekend. He was born/raised in Roseland, while we lived in Harvey(near the Weltmeyer family, I believe) 'til approximately 1980. My dad took me to races there, Illiiana, Grundy, et al. speedways. A few years ago, I bought one of those Images of America (mostly picture)books on Raceway Park. My dad pointed out a member of our family who raced there in the 60's, Johnny Slowiak. Heck, it's so easy to trigger a story out of my dad. Like the mysterious demise of Bob Pronger. Thank you very much for uploading this video!

[@broham776]

My first race was at this track In 1998 and me and my dad used to go every weekend for a couple summers. Those were the days!

[@owboky102050]

My first race there was in 1973 had so much fun there raced on and off till the late 90's

[@sunrze13]

Brought back great memories. I used to sit at the top where the boy was sitting. (by the pits) so sad it's gone. I was there every weekend from 1982 until it closed. Thanks again for the memories.

[@JrGoonior]

Still have the sweatshirt I bought there in the mid 90's, doesn't fit anymore,

[@ShortTrackNews]

I've been selling new Raceway Park shirts and sweatshirts since the track closed. Check out my website midwest-racing-tees.creator-spring.com/

[@kenny4504]

Defiantly a very sad day. I wonder who got to keep the Emergency Jeep that was parked under the grandstand?

[@ShortTrackNews]

They had a open to the public sale and someone bought the jeeps

[@rbeez2004]

I went there often as well. To bad it's gone.

[@jimgilbert1360]

What a great coincidence that I should be able to like this video and belike#19!

[@MisterWonderWizard]

Another great little track that was run out by commercialism. I went there many times, had a ball, and still miss it today. This year the area lost another great track, and at this time I fear it's loss is going to be permanent as well. Illiana Speedway has closed its gates and the present owner is looking for someone else to take the place over. If that doesn't happen it will be closed for good. Unfortunately pressure from neighboring subdivisions (all built with full knowledge of the presence of the track) about noise and traffic have been mounting for several years.

[@57HarleyDavidson]

Why was it being torn down??

[@ShortTrackNews]

The property was sold and track closed after the 2000 season to make way for a grocery store and strip mall. Track was around from 1938 to 2000

[@57HarleyDavidson]

@@ShortTrackNews That sucks, I would of kept it a race track.

[@MrScott4201]

Why was the track torn down?

[@JrGoonior]

NINE YEARS LATER! For one the area had changed, it wasn't too safe to be there, the structures were falling apart, and no one was willing to take it on.