Speedway Park, also known as Jacksonville Speedway, Opened in 1947. It was a 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt oval auto racing track, located at the intersection of Lenox Avenue and Plymouth Street on Jacksonville’s West-side. The track hosted NASCAR Grand National Series, now known as Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
Races were held at the track during the 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1961 and 1964 seasons. The final Grand National Series race at the track was won by Wendell Scott, the only African-American to win in NASCAR’s top series.
The track was a rough dirt oval with two turns, the course had more than its share of ruts and potholes which also help cause more than its share of accidents.
Pat Patrick owned the track. He also owned Pat’s Drive-In, a burger joint just around the corner. The track was closed in 1973. The Lenox Court apartment complex. Stands its former location.
Portions of this article were originally published in the Riverside Review, April 1987.