||


  *Comments on Nazareth Speedway:*
  View the most recent comment <#15> | Post a comment <#post>


  1.   Cooper posted:
  03.29.2010 - 11:29 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Nazareth Speedway was an auto racing track in Lehigh Valley,
Pennsylvania which operated from the 1910s to 2004. The track is often
associated with local drivers Mario and Michael Andretti. It was
associated with Frankie Schneider in its earlier dirt track history. The
site began hosting motor racing events in the 1910s.

The track was renovated and re-opened in April 1966, as a five-turn
1.125-mile (1.811 km) dirt track named Nazareth National Speedway. The
track featured modified races. The track was taken over by Lindy Vicari
in 1982. Vicari knocked down eleven years of growth, and shortened the
track to a one mile (1.6 km) oval.

After closing in 1984, the track was purchased by Roger Penske in 1986.
It was renovated and paved, and reopened as Pennsylvania International
Raceway in 1987. It was the first racing oval to feature a warm-up lane
to enter and exit the pits, designed in part by driver Rick Mears. In
1993, the track was renamed Nazareth Speedway. In 1997, the facility
underwent improvements, including a new retaining wall, catch fence, and
new grandstands.

When the track re-opened in 1987, it was a slightly reconfigured 1-mile
(1.6 km) oval (1.62 km). However, designers and participants were aware
that it actually measured shorter than one mile (1.6 km). The banking
varied between 2.7° and 6.0°. The back straight is 1200 ft (400m) and
the home straight is 800 ft (260m). IndyCar participants often took
advantage of the inaccurate measurement for fuel strategy, knowing that
they were running a shorter distance than advertised. In 1998, for
fairness and accuracy, the track was remeasured by the CART sanctioning
body, and was advertised as 0.946 miles (1.52 km) in length. The race,
which had been 200 laps, was increased to 225 laps for time value purposes.


  2.   RaceFanX posted:
  04.07.2010 - 10:50 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

This track closed in 2004 and in the time since all the grandstands,
structures and signage at the track have been removed with the
grandstands taken to Watkins Glen. The track itself is still there
currently but there are plans for the land to be redeveloped with some
possiblities being a sporting arena or a housing complex.


  3.   Anonymous posted:
  04.26.2012 - 1:16 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Parts of the track are still there but the place has undoubtedly seen
its last race


  4.   chris o posted:
  07.03.2012 - 8:14 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Shame to see it go, This was an interesting track.


  5.   RaceFanX posted:
  09.10.2012 - 3:54 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

The site still hasn't been redeveloped yet and there is a movement in
the Nazareth area to save the track...
https://www.facebook.com/SaveNazarethSpeedway

Even if they suceeed it will be tricky to ever hold another race here.
In addition to all the facilities torn down or removed in May 2008 large
piles of dirt were placed on certain parts of the racing surface to make
it unusable (and probably prevent any kids from breaking in for illegal
races). There's a lot of weeds growing through other areas of the track
itself.


  6.   bmb5150 posted:
  06.08.2013 - 6:52 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

RacefanX

No kidding that track has stuff growing from right under it.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.391846547599422.1073741831.204823199635092&type=1


  7.   Sam posted:
  01.29.2017 - 3:02 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Track was bought last year and is most likely going to be demolished and
is going to be a housing development


  8.   Seibaru posted:
  01.29.2017 - 4:07 pm
   Rate this comment:      (2)      (0)

@7 Better than a f-cking Walmart like with Flemington...


  9.   RaceFanX posted:
  08.05.2018 - 2:49 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

This track was neighbored by a cement plant behind Turn 2 among other
things. It produced some interesting photographs over the years since
the industrial backdrop varied from that of most other high-level
American tracks.


  10.   TannerBragg posted:
  05.13.2019 - 6:20 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Two morons just admitted to setting this jewel on fire late last month.
They were smart enough to sneak lighter fluid out of a store in their
pockets but so stupid that they thought it would be brilliant to post it
on Snapchat. Why not just call 911 and tell them what your doing as your
doing it? Makes the same amount of sense.


  11.   Jimmie4life posted:
  05.13.2019 - 7:27 pm
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Man, this track should've been left alone.


  12.   FunRace posted:
  07.13.2019 - 3:17 pm
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

man you don't see everyday a 5 turn oval ?


  13.   Jason24 posted:
  10.19.2019 - 4:54 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

Bright Sun Films on YouTube made a very good video about Nazareth. Shows
the history of the track and why it was abandoned. Its very sad seeing
how bad the place looks now.


  14.   Rider77 posted:
  10.19.2019 - 8:05 am
   Rate this comment:      (0)      (0)

I've seen some of the amateur footage of people that have snuck onto the
property and taken video. It was a beautiful track and property. That
decayed very quickly once abandoned.
It put on some great races too.
Also had some scary wrecks.
They used to run the Busch series here on Sunday afternoon after the all
star Saturday night race.


  15.   CC posted:
  12.02.2019 - 9:40 am
   Rate this comment:      (1)      (0)

My home track, me, my friends, my family, and most people here call it
Andretti's House.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Post a comment:*
Your comment may not appear immediately - all comments must be approved
by the moderator.

Name:

Comment: