Thunderbird Speedway originally started out as a horse track way back in the 1910's. Not being turned into an actual speedway until the late 1950's it was one of the only 1/2 dirt tracks in the region. I'm not too sure who the original owner of the track was but though it's history it's seen somewhere in the ballpark of 17 promoters, one being Harold Leep. Harold changed the historic name Thunderbird Speedway to Muskogee Fairgrounds in 1991.
A few people had attempted the purchase the track but it did not sell until 1991 when the track switched hands from Harold Leep to Charlie Fulton. They continued to have weekly shows up until 2003 when the track was shut down due to condemned stands. Conveniently right about the time that Outlaw Motor Speedway was built just miles from the track. The Fulton brothers then filed suit on the Muskogee Fairground Board for condemning the stands without a legitimate reason which in turn caused the Fairground Board to settle with them outside of court. The Fulton brothers were able to purchase the track along with it's 32 acres back for $86,000.
There are current plans in the works to reopen this historical track under it's original name Thunderbird Speedway. Charlie and Tommy Fulton are currently working on remodeling the track, so far they have everything but a grater. The fiberglass seats which were in the covered stadium have been removed and new seating which will accommodate 4,200 fans is in the works. There's still a lot of work to be done on this track and hopefully it will reopen and be successful.
I would like to thank Tom Loftin for his help in the history of this track and Chip Miller for the program.
Photos of this track were taken in August of 2007 and show it prior to any renovations as it currently sets. There are no tresspassing signs at the track...we got permission to take the photos and to be at the facility.