_map.svg) | |
| Location | Kings County, nearHanford,California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°16′23″N119°35′45″W / 36.2731°N 119.5959°W /36.2731; -119.5959 |
| Opened | 1951 |
| Closed | 1970 |
| Major events | USACNational Championship California 200 (1967–1969) Hanford 250 (1968) NASCARGrand National (1951, 1960–1961) |
| Dirtoval | |
| Surface | dirt |
| Length | 0.50 mi (0.8 km) |
| Asphalttri-oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.374 mi (2.212 km) |
Marchbanks Speedway (alsoHanford Motor Speedway) was a racetrack located inSan Joaquin Valley nearHanford,California. It hostedopen-wheel andNASCAR cars, as well asmotorcycle racing, in the 1950s and 1960s. The track was subsequently demolished.
It was originally built by local farmer B. L. Marchbanks, and named after himself.The track began as a half miledirt track. It was later paved as a 1.4-mile (2.3 km), high-banked racetrack and also hosted speed runs for watercraft in an infield lake, much asLake Lloyd at theDaytona International Speedway does today.
Three NASCAR races were held at the track. The first was held on the dirt track in 1951.Danny Weinberg won his only NASCAR race.Marvin Porter won the race on the 1.4-mile (2.3 km) paved course in 1960. The NASCAR race record was set March 12, 1961, whenFireball Roberts led all 178 laps of a 250-mile (400 km) race, hosted at the track. He finished two laps ahead of the second place driver.[1][2][3]
The official race lap records at Marchbanks Speedway (Hanford Motor Speedway) are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Tri-Oval: 2.212 km (1960–1969)[4] | ||||
| USACIndyCar | 30.351[5] | Joe Leonard | Lotus 56 | 1968 Hanford 250 |
| Stock car racing | 50.321[6] | David Pearson | Pontiac Catalina | 1961 Hanford NASCAR Grand National round |
Hanford is included inIndianapolis 500 Evolution.