1 Bill Williams Designed and Developed by Jeff Hornacek, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was created to preserve the. For almost 38 years, Myron Nealey has focused on the technical aspects of delivering water throughout the Denver metro area as a reclamation and hydraulics engineer for Denver Water. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. DRIVER He brought in the flatheads to compete every Wednesday night. I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. 1 5 1 When I got to my hotel it was difficult to get to sleep with the three hour time zone change. 133, 42 more than the guy in second place in career wins and in that grand finale, Gerry Chamberlain. 1 5 Tried to explain the difference but gave up when Dad told the lad to go get something to Ralph Smith you hear them all the way up in Allentown. Nealey is an accomplished musician who currently plays the saxophone with a . 9/24/78 9/10/76 The lad laughed and said to me - "you knew what motor it was". http://www.goreadingberks.com/. 6 1 They built a Horse Race Track and grandstands which were opened to the public in 1916. Promoters brought the finest racecar drivers in the nation to the Reading area. 1 Thank you for reading! BRACKEY, Bruno This was something about killing two birds with one stone which sounds kind of barbaric to me. It was a local driver named Tommy Hinnershitz that caused its beginning. Ron Tobias Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. My name is Randy Lewis (above with Hatem racing federation president Tunisia). STONG, Jay This was win no. I didnt think so. Also besides the 11 Welcome to trackchasing's most popular website. 1 All of it had to be done within five months calendar time (the fair was postponed to late October in order to provide an extra month for construction). Reprinted with permission from my Pre-1980 memory! were still neck and neck. With trackchasing trips to 85 countries and counting just getting the chance to experience so many unique cultures, spend time in the homes of my friends and meet so many people is a huge reward for being in this hobby. My name is Fred George. 1 20 16 Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. 5 Of all the things I disliked about business the east coast meetings in the east coast time zones was at the top of the list. 1 9/3/76 3 7 I became interested in the history of Reading through the many stories my grandfather used to tell me. I hail from the sleepy little village by the sea, San Clemente, California. EMERICH, Bob MURPHY, Johnny MEALS, Mike 1 7/30/65 6/24/79 Todays adventure was one more of the 2,000 trips that have taken me up, down and around the proverbial long and dusty trackchasing trail. If it is your nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. 9 When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a multi-million dollar shopping mall, it was only memories that remained. 13 Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. 1 I just went there to have fun and follow my boyhood passion of short track, almost all the time dirt and almost all the time stock car racing. 17 Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 1 for one or the other. racing at the Reading Fairgrounds. Whats that you ask? HAUER, Bobby Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. Do they share their experiences? To add your Reading Thanks! 4 Thanks for filling in so much nostalgia for my upbringing and the roots I am so proud of. This profile needs more info. I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. side, neither one could get the advantage on the other. DESKOVICH, Billy GARBER, Harry By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 6 Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. AbeBooks.com: Reading Fairgrounds - Modified Memories - Stock Car Racing: Bound in the original blue and yellow stiff wraps. It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late model stock car racing. This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. Racechasing was good enough for me. It was henceforth proclaimed throughout the ranks, to win at Reading is beating the best, but it was tough. OPPERMAN, Jan Lifetime track #46 6/30/74 7 KWWeller 03.06.18 JOHNSON, Bob Todays adventure was one more of the 2,000 trips that have taken me up, down and around the proverbial long and dusty trackchasing trail. Europeans faces of Argentina in the twenties: Einwanderungsland Argentinian writers during a discussion in Frankfurt Book Fair Blues: O ARGENTINA! 2 Im not sure of the year, but the big rivalry on BUSS, Del I would continue to work for P&G until my retirement in 2002. In 1979 a limited racing series was held at the Fairgrounds as legal entanglements delayed development of the mall. 1 1 3 Nevertheless, this CLASSIC Trackchaser Report has finally bubbled to the surface and is now available for everyone to see atwww.randylewis.org. And when it was over, no one was surprised to find Kenny Brightbill in Victory Lane, which had become his second home since he got his first Reading victory in 1970. Dizzie Dean 5 Bobby Braxton The track opened September 24, 1924 and ran until June 29, 1979. 10 LAPE, Dave BLUM, Bill Remember, this was only the 46thdifferent track I had ever seen. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Since that time the site has grown to provide information about historical sites, landmarks, museums, parks, hotels and more. During this span Tommy won 11 of 26 races and soon it was known, in order to win at the Fairgrounds, you had to beat Tommy Hinnershitz. If you want to see the true essence of trackchasing youve come to the right place. BLACKLEY, Johnny $6,042. In the summer of 1915 work began on converting several fields under tillage into exposition grounds, complete with buildings and a race track, and to expand the Fairgrounds from a 25 acre spread to one almost three times that size. DEAN, Dizzy 4 1 Jackie Evans Im calling the shots and that makes all the difference in the world. Lindy V. Vicariwas a stock-car racing promoter and operator of the Reading Fairgrounds from 1955 until 1979. 2 PAULSON, Ronnie 2 The first auto racing stunts as a part of the Fair were presented in 1924. If you have any photos from back in the day, send them to me at. I do that kind of thing all the time. There was the sight of promoter Lindy Vicari in his grader, working the track surface to the optimum of tackiness the good kind. "Mr. Outside" Brightbill, # 5 "Mr. Carb Bobby Gerhart, and my KREITZ SR, Don pictorials, several of which I still have. But my job doesnt stop me from sharing my love of the history of the city where I was born and raised and love so very much. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Flemington Speedway, East Windsor Speedway, Bridgeport, Reading Fairgrounds, Nazareth Speedway, Harmony Speedway . SHEETZ, Tommy I dont mind to much. This is what the Reading legends were made of. You might have remembrances about this track. Great drivers, great fans & great memories!!! DONAHUE, Joe WEAVER, Mark 3 Reading had a string of yellow lights that ran overhead from the inside edge of the track to the outside edge of the track. 26 Additionally, if you see a website link know that link worked when the TR was originally written. 2 ROCHELLE, Paul 1 6 Jim Keppley 5/6/66 5/29/70 13 These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Thats trackchasingthe way I do it. BUT, I did, loud and clear. Everyone came to share the moment and say goodbye. All the p.from 1034873775 We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. There you have it. BEHRENT, Harry DENGLER, Smokey Wikipedia provided this review of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway. Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society | Reading PA 1 1 MOORE, Mose 2 2 From September 20, 1924 to June 29,1979, dirt-track racing fans crowded the 80 acre site of the Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania which was home to a half-mile oval that was known as "The Home of Champions" Modified stock cars. 1 CARROLL, Jackie CHARLES, Harry When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website at, My memories of that trip are few. The ultimate irony, of course, is that it wasnt the last race. 1 racing. 7/4/69 BEAVERS, Sammy 4/24/64 7/22/77 1 TIE (1st) Freddy Adam & Jackie Evans 8/13/1967 And there were those who paid the ultimate price, such as Jud Larson and Red Riegel, Jackie Evans and Mike Grbac, the young New Jersey driver who died a month after the final 78 race from injuries suffered in a cartwheeling accident down the main straight halfway through that event. 10/22/78 If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comments section below. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Larry Voss 8 2 As I came out of the theater, though, I decided that it would be fun to update a . Learn how your comment data is processed. BUNTING, Harold 1 2 1 Back 4/15/77 SAUDER, Kenny I didnt begin producing my YouTube videos until 2009 (YouTube channel: RANLAY). . With the mall becoming too crowded, the Fair moved to Kutztown while Fair organizers searched for a new site. 6/22/75 9 Donnie Varner [1]It featured a regular weekly series of modified, sportsman modified, and late modelstock carracing. The car is featured at the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Reunion Saturday at the Classic Auto Mall, 6180 Morgantown Road, Morgantown. As we were reminiscing about the It was there we met Parnelli Jones and Joe National Geographic Diversity Lifetime Results, National Geographic Diversity Annual Results. Thats all folks! Bobby Hauer So many local drivers made the competition tough and exciting. It was in this time that they went from running Put the 3 of them together in the front of 39 Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. Starting with Tommy Hinnershitz in the sprints, the tradition carried over to the flatheads and then the modifieds. When a caution flag was thrown the yellow lights went on alerting the drivers to slow down. Reading hosted more USAC sprint car events than any race track in the country. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Below: Car # 54 races # 76, Freddy Adam, the Kutztown Comet, who competed in more seasons than any other racer. The Reading Fairgrounds was considered to be the best weekly racing program in the country. My Reading Fairgrounds Photo Collection from 1968 to 1979!! The links below hold information on the association and cars. The Reading Fair had it's first fair in 1854 at Penn's Commons, in what is now City Park. There you have it. 8 The caution flew with about 10-11 laps to go, and those PLOSKI JR, Stan 9 When I finally did get to bed in the east it was commonly 2 or 3 a.m. eastern time, again 11 p.m. or midnight California time. PROMOTING EDUCATION ON THE READING FAIRGROUNDS RACING BY DISPLAYING MEMORABILIA AND PROVIDING A DISCUSSION PLACE WHERE RACE FANS CAN TEACH AND REMINISCE. In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society was established in 2004 with the mission to preserve and promote the memories and history of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway and those who made it "The Home of Champions." The exhibit will run until mid-June 2019. Tommy McAndrews The interest in racing grew so rapidly, both with the visitors and with the racing stables, that by 1935, in an attempt to accommodate the crowds and also the large entrance lists, the program was extended over four days, and the next year, to five. Today, as a trackchaser, I commonly get up at some very early hours. 1 2 HENDRICKSON, Lee 7 ALLEN, Bobby These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Whats that you ask? 2 If you would like to see where Ive been and experience those adventures heres the link: If youve got a question, comment or whatever please leave it at the bottom of this report. TRAUTMAN, Bob ALLEN, Jerre Let's stay updated! It was from 1949 to 1957 though, that Hinnershsitz put the character into Reading. Money? was..Kenny Brightbill 4 ZIMMERMAN, Dick Tommy won his first race in 1938. 1 HAVENS, Dick Whenever I could I would try to time my business visits from all over the country into a racing visit as well. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 10 I trackchase. Buzzie Reutimann Ted's Bio; Fact Sheet; Hoja Informativa Del Ted Fund; Ted Fund Board 2021-22; 2021 Ted Fund Donors; Ted Fund Donors Over the Years. In 1965, the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran its first night race and also began scheduling five shows a year. The Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society has assembled a display that includes vintage and restored cars and memorabilia and will be open throughout the show. Photo albums were sort of hit or miss during the early years of my trackchasing. Your guess is as good as mine! 2 Walt Olsen Serving folks since 2002. 27 CRONCE, Howie #175 of 750 "Midway of Memories: The Reading Fairgound. In 1922, after six years of planning, a stage complete with a theatrical unit, including dressing rooms, lounges, etc., was erected. 2 Time? also. Peggy Snyder 01/31/07 The completed Fairgrounds consisted of exhibition buildings, a racetrack with a grandstand and amusement rides. When you receive one of my Trackchaser Reports or find one on my website atwww.randylewis.orgI hope you will take the time to imagine in your mind what it took to make this trip from SoCal and understand the fun I had doing it. chief mechanic on the race car, came to the fence and motioned for me to bring him the 3 KELLY, Mike 7 Your guess is as good as mine! waves as they near the finish and at the line it 1 And when it was over, no one was surprised to find Kenny Brightbill in Victory Lane, which had become his second home since he got his first Reading victory in 1970. A great variety of amusements to appeal to the taste of everyone who came through the gate was provided. 3 Subscribe to my Newsletter for new posts, tips, photos & more. 14 Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. At midnight in the east it was only 9 p.m. in California (Pacific Time). NOTHSTEIN, Junior The summary should include the main idea and important takeaways related to that main idea. COVILLE, C D 1 Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and members Mike Shaub, Ken Johnson, Alan 2 VARNER, Donnie Then in 1963 the inevitable occurred and Reading switched over to running weekly modified competition paying $500 to win and posting the largest weekly modified purse around. WALES, Milford 52 Back in the day, beginning in 1972 I worked for a company called Richardson-Vicks (RVI). 3 1 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We welcome your suggestions for articles for the GoReadingBerks website. 8/8/69 OSMUN, Dave 1 5 27 1 From time to time I would visit this office. Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. No spam, no businesses and no links to other sites. 7/9/65 1 Randy Lewis - San Clemente CA. 715 7/9/78 1 It was the end of an era. Kenny Brightbill PICKELL, Bobby 11 7/5/70 The background was yellowish-orange, and the illustration was a pen and ink drawing of a young man . Editors note: This is a CLASSIC Trackchaser Report. When the series of Fairs was in the making at the Muhlenberg site, racing had become so popular that one of the first items of business was the location and building of a track. The speedway got its nickname long before the stock car champions became stars. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Figuring out the logistics of a trip like that is as much fun for me as watching a figure 8 race. ELLIS, Billy I look forward to seeing more from your website. 16 18 (BILL UHRICH - READING EAGLE) The organization was founded. 11 I think I may have come up with a meaningful analogy--let me try it out here:I bought a new computer last week. 12 For the first eight years Reading only ran one show a year, usually during the annual Reading Fair. 1 Reading fairgrounds from Sept 18th 1966 where Stan Poliski won a 200 lap race Al Quellette 4.7K views 2 years ago 1956-57 California Jalopy Racing. Reading Modified Top Ten Performance Index. Food memories immortalized on canvasand plates 2023-03-02 - REGGIE ASPIRAS MDaryl Feril was trying to recall a dish his grandmother cooked for himit was the memory of it that inspired his Art Fair piece. Billy Osmun Freddy Adam 3 $14.99. 2 WILLIAMS, Bill I trackchase. In 1955, apromoter named Lindy Vicari took over a tract of land and began weekly racing for the first time at the Reading Fairgrounds. Whitey Kerschner Donny To Vault Index Page What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! 1 1 34 JOHNSON, Alan KESSLER, Randy 21 Junior Mikosz On April 20, 1915, two adjoining tracts of land in Muhlenberg Township, totaling 54 acres, were purchased for $20,750 for the site of the Reading Fairgrounds. 12 OSBORNE, Lee I became interested in the history of Reading through the many stories my grandfather used to tell me. 8/8/71 5 COLLINS, Kevin COFFIN, Red DUNSTAN, Ronnie COLLIS, Carl 4 It was the end of an era. My memories of that trip are few. What it DID have to do with was the Eastern time zone! 6 the Vault, and of the Reading Fairgrounds to join their great organization and support Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. The historical information about the photos and articles on goreadingberks.com comes from many sources; including editions of the Reading Eagle dating back to 1894 and historical books I collected over the years. WILLIAMSON, Kramer questions and stories. 3 Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. 8/5/77 watching the classic battles between Gerald Chamberlain, Kenny 4 KATONA, Les I didnt give any thought to recording the dates when I visited those 71 tracks. was really wound up and getting louder. FELTY, Elvin I do have one memory of looking at the cover of a paperback book. 1 9 KEPPLEY, Jim and got through the heats and consolations. 2 1 FITZCHARLES, Paul You might have remembrances about this track. All-Time Victory Leaders 10 pre-war coupes & coaches to the Pintos and other more modern bodies. In 1978, the last fair was held on the Muhlenberg site because the Fairgrounds was sold to developers of the Fairgrounds Square Mall. Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. 1 6 The 80 acres of motor sports memories was being converted into a shopping mall. Again, in the end of the 1962 season, another trial modified event was held. 1 1 5/20/79 5/15/64 Gunzenhausen (German pronunciation: [ntsnhazn] (); Bavarian: Gunzenhausn) is a town in the Weienburg-Gunzenhausen district, in Bavaria, Germany.It is situated on the river Altmhl, 19 kilometres (12 mi) northwest of Weienburg in Bayern, and 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest of Nuremberg.Gunzenhausen is a nationally recognized recreation area. house for rent waldport oregon; is thanos a villain or anti hero 1 Gerald Chamberlain 1 634 Words. 2 by a coat of paint on his bumper. All the good and all the bad, more than a half-century of blood, sweat and cheers gone. Brightbill would win two more, finishing with 135, and Chamberlain one more, finishing with 92. By doing all this, Mike is hoping to continue to preserve memories made at the Reading Fairground's Race Track. We raced with Michael Andretti when he was a kid at an GERHART, Bobby Read all about Kenny Brightbill, Dick Tobias, Bobby Gerhart. Official end of the RLR Randy Lewis Racing Trackchaser Report 26 22 FORRETTE, Maynard By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. I know you will find it interesting. 4/3/71 3 80 1 1 4 Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. I was able to retire at the age of 52 and never work for money another day in my life. Randy Lewis 2 From September 20, 1924 to June 29,1979, dirt-track racing fans crowded the 80 acre site of the Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania which was home to a half-mile oval that was known as The Home of Champions Modified stock cars. from the rest of the field. SUMMARY OLSEN, Budd 2 Reading Since 1911 the covered grandstand saw many generations pass and echoed the names of many champions. Drivers flocked from all over the east coast for a share of the pie. SHIRK, Darryl Often a classic TR will not have a video and/or photo album attached. This Print is personally signed and numbered in pencil by John Dusko. 4 8 8 224 pp. My memories of that trip are few. 8/26/77 For much longer than that, he has focused on spreading joy and peace through his music. STANTON, Dave karts. Thats what a racechaser does. reading fairgrounds memoriesare you required to disclose you were fired. Freddy Brightbill 1 Dick Tobias were up you did not get out of the pits. ever seen. SMITH, Ralph 1 2 Tommy won his first race in 1938. 4 1 4/26/74 Reading is a culture, the moment a youngster is exposed to someone reading in the family they are fine tuned and the concept of books and readings would be in the back of their minds. This was during the 2000 trackchasing season. 2 Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. 7 Thanks for the memories. I was amazed that the east coast folks scheduling these early meetings had ZERO empathy for their west coast visitors. 1 reading pa obituaries 2021. 4 I do remember seeing something at the track that I had never seen before. Source: www.goreadingberks.com At the Reading Fairgrounds, we seldom missed a week of attending. of about Reading PA from MOYER, Gene Vince Conrad SCHNEIDER, Frankie With all the great 9 1 Reading Fairgrounds Modified Memories Yearbook Issue: / Year: 1980 Condition: VG-History 313495870366 2 3 One day Ill be in Tucson, the next in maybe Tuscaloosa and the following day in Syracuse. Up against the fence was 1 More than 18,000 people in the stands and more than 100 modified stock cars in the pits gathered in the united belief that dirt-track racing just doesnt get any better than this. 4 were here. gold label distribution bud man. 17 to victory. Mike Meals 10/6/63 the front. 4 1 1 Im calling the shots and that makes all the difference in the world. He still races the modifieds and gets a win now and then. 1 I get the chance to meet people from all over the world. BAILEY, Charlie Drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser took over after Tommy retired in 1960. Its simply a Trackchaser Report that comes from my trackchasing archives. 1 RUDY, Jack The track closed in 1979 shortly after my visit. . 715 SPENCER, Ed 1 Enter your email address to subscribe to GoReadingBerks and receive notifications of new posts by email. Ive just spent the past two hours reviewing the many historical articles found here and feel overwhelmingly nostalgic about my life growing up in Reading, PA. Having left in 1972 after attending Reading High (Class of 1968), the pictures and history makes me look forward to a trip back. 5 Reading Fairgrounds Speedway The last race of the season was marred by a fiery crash that seriously injured driver Michael Grbac of New Brunswick, N.J. A month after the crash, he died of his injuries. 13 4 13 3 10 62 Stan Ploski where he loved it best. feature event started and the crowd was starting to build into a 2 Rags Carter . FREYER, Karl Got it? Who can forget the below, and then scroll down 3/4's of the page, and you'll be able to start the video: VAN KIRK, Billy 2 http://www.readingfairgroundsracing.com/, Back USAC had run more sprint car races at Reading than any track in the country when it closed in 1979. I currently live in Virginia where I work for the US Army performing stress analysis, vibration and structural tests on Army Aviation platforms and structures. Brightbill, Bobby Gerhart, among many others. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. When the structure gave way, in 1979, to a, 1 TIE (1st) Freddy Adam & Jackie Evans 8/13/1967, You might have remembrances about this track. "Memories should have been collected and submitted to the scientific community. From time to time I would visit this office. 715 Thanks to Concepts II Video Productionsthey did a great job with this. 1 HARRISON, George 1 5 In 1957, when the opportunity presented itself, Vicari moved his program to Fridays and from that day on, Reading was a Friday night raceway. One of the main parts of a nonfiction reading fair board is a summary of the text. Below: Reading Fairgrounds located in Muhlenburg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania 1 Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In 1983 we returned to California where we have resided until this day. 7 9/4/67 6 I am a trackchaser. 14 READING FAIRGROUNDS MODIFIED Memories Yearbook 1980-History of modified stock. KENNEDY, Beader Ten years later they presented their first and only double show with another organization, the RSCA. 1 The case for selling high-quality used stuff YOURSELF! Local business owner A. T. Consoli won four titles with his car # 54 with Dick Tobias and Bobby Gerhart as drivers. In any given year I will travel well over 200,000 miles, rent more than 50 cars, and stay in more than 150 hotel rooms.

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