 | |
 Aerial photo of the track from 1995 | |
| Location | Flemington, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT-5 |
| Coordinates | 40.5266, -74.8534 |
| Opened | 1915 |
| Closed | 2002 |
| Former names | Flemington Fair Speedway (1915–1990) |
| Major events | Stevens Beil / Genuine Car Parts 150 (1995–1998) Race of Champions (Modified) (1992–1995) |
| Rectangle Oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.625 miles (1.000 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | Semi-banked |
| Race lap record | 0:18.817 (Stacy Compton,Impact Motorsports, 1998,NASCARCraftsman Truck Series) |
Flemington Speedway was amotor racing circuit inFlemington,New Jersey which operated from 1915 to 2002. The track was once known for being the fastest 5/8-mile dirt track in the United States.
Flemington Speedway was created as a mid-nineteenth century fairgrounds horse track hosting horse racing events during the Hunterdon County 4-H Agricultural Fair starting in 1848.[1] It was a half mile, four-cornered dirt oval. Motorcycles first raced on this horse track in 1911, and the "Speedway" hosted its first automobile race in 1915 as a half miledirt oval. The first race was promoted and won byIra Vail. The track's grandstand opened in 1917 and remained standing until the track was demolished in January 2005. Auto races were a nearly annual event at Flemington Fair. Stock Car Races became the weekly Saturday night featured attraction when lights were added in 1955. The track was reconfigured over the 1966-1967 off-season into a (nearly) 5/8 mile, semi-banked rounded rectangle, nicknamed "The Square." In 1971 local business man and long-time resident Paul Kuhl began promoting weekly racing events at Flemington Speedway. Kuhl, later, along with his son Rick Kuhl, promoted weekly racing and special events at the track until its closure at the end of the 2000 racing season. Until the end of the 2000 racing season, Flemington Fairgrounds Speedway stood as the oldest operating race track to hold weekly racing events (title now held by the Orange County Fair Speedway). The track remained dirt until the end of the 1990 season when the decision was made to pave the track due to local resident / business complaints and EPA standards.[2]
After being paved, speeds at the track dramatically increased. The higher speeds led to "a series of horrible crashes," leaving drivers, such as futureNASCAR Sprint Cupteam ownerRay Evernham, severely injured. After talking to crew chiefs and drivers, track officials decided to add foam blocks to lessen the impact of crashes. The foam bricks allowed crashes at up to 140 mph (230 km/h) leaving no serious injuries.[3]
The track hosted themodifiedRace of Champions from 1992 to 1995, taking over fromPocono Raceway. The race moved toOswego Speedway inOswego, New York from 1996 to 2014, 2016. In 2015 atChemung Speedrome.
The track also hosted theNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for four races, from 1995 to 1998. All four races were won by Chevrolet, withRon Hornaday Jr. winning two.[4]
The lastPro-Touring series to race at the speedway was the thenARCABondo/Mar-Hyde Series (now ARCA Menards Series) "Flemington ARCA 150". The winner wasFrank Kimmel, who would go on to win his first series title that season.[5] The race was to be run on August 14, 1999, but due to a severe thunderstorm that hit the track after qualifying, the race was run the next day before a nearly empty house. It was the only ARCA race at the Speedway.[6]
Flemington Speedway hosted oneNASCAR Busch North Series race in 1991 which was won byRicky Craven.
The facility also hosted sixNASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races between 1991 and 1998.
The track continuously lost money after being paved, and closed on November 8, 2002. The track was sold off to developers and demolished in early January 2005.[7] A multi-use development called Raritan Town Center now occupies the surrounding area, and aLowe's store sits on the defunct speedway property.[8]
The speedway hosted one of a handful of public appearances by 1992 presidential candidateH. Ross Perot. More than 25,000 people attended and tied up local roads for hours.[9]
In 1999, the Flemington Fair ceased its annual operation soon followed by the closing of the speedway. In 2002, teen vandals set fire to the fairgrounds office building causing damage to several structures on the property.[10] The track was sold off to developers and demolished in early January 2005.[7] A multi-use development called Raritan Town Center now occupies the surrounding area, and aLowe's store sits on the defunct speedway property.[8]
| Season | Date | Race | Winning Driver | Truck Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | August 19 | Stevens Beil / Genuine Car Parts 150 | Ron Hornaday Jr. | Chevrolet |
| 1996 | August 10 | Stevens Beil / Genuine Car Parts 200 | Mike Skinner | Chevrolet |
| 1997 | August 9 | Stevens Beil / Genuine Car Parts 200 | Ron Hornaday Jr. | Chevrolet |
| 1998 | August 8 | Stevens Beil / Genuine Car Parts 200 | Terry Cook | Chevrolet |
40°31′35″N74°51′10″W / 40.52639°N 74.85278°W /40.52639; -74.85278