So this year is Citrus County Speedway’s 60th year of operation. HEY OLD SCHOOL (hard of hearing) since I’m sure you were there, what date was the first race ever at Citrus? Was it dirt? What classes ran? If your Oldtimer’s Disease prevents you from remembering I wonder if Florida’s resident racing historian Dave Westerman can tell us. Any info Dave? I’m probably stretching it but some pics would be cool. 60 years is mighty impressive. It’s gotta be one of the oldest short tracks in America. Thompson started in 1940 and Bowman-Gray in 1949. Opening in 1955 puts them in some rare company, I’m thinking.
Eh?
Actually, first time I made it over there that I am certain of is around 24 years ago.
Was with the Compignones. All the mods were pushing, ours included. Half way through qualifying Buzzie Reutiman showed up with his helmet in a bag.
He climbed in the car, pitched it sideways, almost dirt style, into the corners, and set fast time.
I don’t remember who won…
I also don’t remember Scott’s question…whippersnapper…it must not have been important anyway.
Mr Garrity
Searching some of my back programs and all I see mention of is that the track opened as dirt in 1954 and changed too asphalt in 1960. No definitive dates or driver info. I will keep searching. (It was about this time, maybe a couple years previous when I attended my first race at Cherry Park in Ct). My first trip to Citrus was when Don Nerone brought his series too the track, great show, I believe back in the 80’s. Have attended many events at Citrus and the track has perhaps the most devoted fans that can be found. The place will fill up with the properly run show the track once had. Fan count has never been a problem at that track when operated in a professional way. Many fans just waiting and hoping for a turn around in the product delivered. I have, and hopefully will see some more great action at that track. Been on a medical hiatus for about 3 months now and hope to be back at the track soon.(Maybe NSS on Sat) See ya at the races…
Thanks Denman! I appreciate the info. Cherry Park, hmmm? Even though I lived in nearby Farmington I never got to see a race there in Avon before it closed in 1959 before I was born. My first race was when my Dad brought us to Riverside Park Speedway to see his friend “Wild Bill” Greco run his coupe Modified. That track had been there over 50 years until it was removed in favor of a roller coaster.
Mr Garrity
Uh-oh…Greco #43 against a very good friend of mine by the name of Buddy Krebs, Crown 5, Ten Pins plus other numbers. Actually the Park turned into my home track for many, many years, saw many changes there and a sad day when the roller coaster took over. Was speaking with Jap Membrino’s niece a few weeks back and shared many memories of not only the Park but also Plainville. Moved to the shoreline in the 70’s making Waterford and Seekonk my new home tracks. I’m sure some where out there in Karnac land there is someone who can share info about Citrus and the good ole days at that track. Drivers, cars, divisions, etc. Would really love to update my memory bank on that track. Great Friday and Saturday series with Ocala (asphalt) on Friday and Citrus (Sat) a few years back. Two announcers, etc. As mentioned Mr. Nerone had some great late model events at that track, as well as TBARA.
I have not been able to find out much info on Citrus or find many photos from the early years of operation… It is one of two well-known Florida tracks, the other being Ocala (Bubba), that I don’t have an album up on my website for… Just not enough old photos and info out there… Don’t really know why… Someone has to have something!
He’s been pretty quiet lately, but maybe Don Cretty will post some info on the history of Citrus.
Tons of pictures on the Citrus County Speedway Alumi site on facebook…just sayin
Most of those photos on Facebook are of recent years not of the 1950s-60s-70s stuff I’m looking for and much of it is cell phone photos of the photos, not actual usable scans…
I can recall our first trip there for a 50-lapper for the (now Super) Late Models in 1981. Dick Anderson had recently relocated to Wildwood from south Florida, and owned/promoted Inverness. We won a heat race by a bumper over Anderson (with Childers driving), and promptly got protested - in a heat race.
In '84 and '85, Dan Jones took over promoting and it was a Friday-night place after Golden Gate closed. Most of the 'Gate drivers/cars headed north on 75 to run there and at St. Pete on Saturdays. We were towing all the way from Vero Beach every week. Had Childers and Bryan Wescott in the car.
OK, ancrdave and everyone else. I’d like to determine the date of the first oval track race ever in Florida history. This is what I’ve found so far as the oldest date. Anyone have any FL track history prior to 2-3-1921?
“February 3, 1921 is when dirt track auto racing came to the Florida State Fair. That was when auto races were staged for the first time at the old Plant Field in Tampa, a track where horse racing was still the main event.”
Eddie Roche mentioned Deland, and that I should check that track for the date of their first race.
Can’t please everyone
USA went to CCS from 1987 - 1995 Had apx 20 100 lap races.
Dick Anderson won 5 times
Jimmy Cope won 5
Wayne Reutimann won3
Dave Pleather won 3
Gale Haines
Kevin Derden
Mike McCrary
All won one
don62