IOWA (USA)
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1800's - MARION COUNTY FAIRGROUND
The Marion County Fairground originated back in the late 1800's, When built the primary use of the venue was for hosting the annual County Fair and horse racing around the half mile track on the outside of the fairground.
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1901 - IOWA'S FIRST AUTOMOBILE RACE
During 1901 the fairground held a race between two automobiles around the horse track, one of the cars was entered by the Wells Manufacturing Company and the other by the Tone Spices Company, reports of the day indicated that the race was less the remarkable.
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1914 > 1950 AUTOMOBILE RACING MEETS
Automobile racing meets have been reported back as far as 1914, with an increase in popularity in 1917 when the covered grandstand along with other buildings were built, These daytime meetings were held during the summer and early autumn months.
Around 1927 motor racing at the fairgrounds became a regular event, Drivers such as Johnny Gerber and Speed Adams were amoungst the stars of the day that often attended.
Dust was a problem on those dry hot summer afternoons, so calcium chloride was added to the track surface to minimise the problem, Racing remained popular through to about 1936 when attendances started to fall away.
Automobile racing had all but finished during the 1940's, As was the case world wide, World War 2 brought motor racing to a complete stand still.
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1950 - THE BIRTH OF SPEEDWAY
Motor racing did return to the fairground in the late 1940's, However it was in the 1950's that the crowds returned to a more varied display of racing, Hot Rods, Midgets and Stock Cars replaced the old speedsters and specials.
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1975 - SAMMY SWINDELL Sprintcar's
Turn 5 Turn Around facebook Photo feature
1975 - Sammy Swindell in the Auto Racing Enterprises car at the Knoxville Nationals. Photo: unknown.
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1975 - JAN OPPERMAN Sprintcar's
Turn 5 Turn Around facebook Photo feature
1975 - Jan Opperman at Knoxville. Photo: unknown.
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1978 - RALPH QUARTERSON Sprintcar's
1978 - Ralph Quarterson and the Jim Zeigler owned #66 at the 1978 Knoxville Nationals. Photo: unknown.
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1980 - RICK FERKEL
Racing Back in the Day facebook Photo feature
1980 - Rick Ferkel "The Ohio Traveler" in the Morgan Racing #0 Tognotti at Knoxville Speedway. Photographer: Ron Sharpe.
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1984 - BRAD DOTY Sprintcar's
World of outlaw sprintcars facebook Photo feature.
1984 - Brad Doty in the number 75 Stanton at Knowville Speedway. Photographer: Max Dolder.
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1985 - MAX DUMESNY Sprintcar's
Knoxville Raceway facebook Photo feature
1985 - Max Dumesny wins the 1985 Race of States feature. The first Australian to win at Knoxville Raceway. Aussie announcer Con Migro called the race. Max driving the Bob Trostle #20, would hold off Doug Wolfgang for the impressive win that brought fans to their feet, one fan in the infield held an Australian flag high for all to see in victory. Photographer: unknown.
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1990 - KNOXVILLE RACEWAY
Turn 5 Turn Around facebook Photo feature
1990 - Stevie Smith in the 77 car running the wall on the outside of Bobby Allen in the 1a Car. Photo: unknown.
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1991 - KNOXVILLE RACEWAY The Aussies
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1994 - KNOXVILLE RACEWAY WORLD OF OUTLAWS 1994 |
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1995 - KNOXVILLE RACEWAY WORLD OF OUTLAWS 28th April 1995 |
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1995 - KNOXVILLE RACEWAY WORLD OF OUTLAWS 24th June 1995 |
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2016 - KNOXVILLE RACEWAY LATE MODEL NATIONALS 16th September 2016
The 57th running of the Knoxville National Late Model race was held over four nights, from the 13th to the 16th of September 2016 at the Knoxville Raceway.