Forgotten Tracks

“Midwest’s finest high-banked, quarter mile oval.”

Sportsman’s Speedway located in Marshall, Missouri operated by Junior Copas and Bill Mikle on a plot of land owned by Raymond Burgess construction for the track began in 1953. The first races weren’t run until May 6^th 1954 with 1,100 fans on hand. By 1958 over 300,000 fans had watched at this marvelous track. There was plenty of parking room on this 25 acre plot. Lots of spectator room also, with seating for 3,300, standing room for another 800.

In 1958 the track was under corporate management of Junior Copas, Bill Mikle and Bill Beach. This track took extreme measures to make sure that it was in the finest condition for race night. Preparation of the track for the next show started as soon as the last class was run the previous weekend. This track sure could drink the water, absorbing 12-25,000 gallons of water prior to each race and 30 hours of blading and packing to get this track in racing condition. At this time the owners were planning on making a parking area where spectators could set in their cars and watch the races, much like a drive in movie. There were also plans in the works for a separate track for sprint and sports car races. This track went all out for beauty too. A “Lilly Pond” was accidentally created in the center of the track, when they cut a small track for the “small fry racing” in the infield and it filled with water, which they fully furnished with colored lights, wooden flamingoes and flowers. 

I RAN ACROSS THIS SITE, WHICH IF FULL OF INFORMATION AND PHOTOS ON AND FROM SPORTSMAN'S SPEEDWAY.  http://www.sportsmansspeedwaymarshall.com/index.html