Tulsa Speedway History
Tulsa Speedway is a well known track in Oklahoma getting it's roots at near what's now Fair Meadows horse track. The first track was built at what is now the parking lot for the Fair Meadows simulcast center in the 1930's. It was origionally built as a 1/2 mile track but was later shortened to a 3/8 mile track. Both configurations had a 1/5 mile track inside. The last year for the track in this location was 1973, where it then moved to where Fair Meadows is now. Hugh Finnerty was the origional owner (as far back as I can tell, as of 1979). The speedway was relocated to 66th street north off of Highway 75 on the outskirts of Tulsa in 1985 where it still stands today. Once the track moved they started the first sprint car program in 1988.
Now on to what I know...In 1994 there was quite a list of potential buyers for the speedway some of the names including, Harold Hillenburg Jr., Ray and Donnie Crawford, Mike McCutchen and Ken Manion. The only one who really stepped out to purchase the track was Bob Boren, owner of Boren Safety Inc., he was to purchase the track in 1994 but it fell though because he wasn't given the option to look at the books prior to signing papers. This was something which concerned his lawers and himself not knowing what the sales, profits and loss or utlities were prior to buying. The next potential set of buyers did purchase the track, DeWayne Adcock and Roy Lowers. At the time the land was owned by a Fred Lawson out of Texarkana, Texas. The previous partners running the track were Charlie Randolph and Stanely Durrett. At the time of the potential sell it was being run by Stanley Durrett since he had bought out his partner Charlie Randolph in 1990. The track then again was sold to Greg Dhuyvetter and Jon Brook.
Now by 1994 the track had already seen some hard times, it was on the minds of many of just what they could do to bring this track back to where it should be. They even jumped on the new internet band wagon in 1995 by starting their first website, which at the time was www.tulsaspeedway.com . By 1996 there were an average of 2700 fan per race event. Which would make you think that this track was getting right where it needed to be. There was something brewing in the background that no one knew of. There's even a quote in the Tulsa World on July 10th 1996 stating, "The race track's demise is near." Now to many fans and many drivers you wouldn't have guessed that the track's "demise was near". I remember going out to this track when I was younger and watching my favorite race car driver Smokin' Joe Martin run. I remember nearly full stands, the long line at the t-shirt trailer and plenty of kids to play with if my parents would've let me. The track was still progressing with technology also, which wasn't a cheap feat for the track. The Tulsa World reports that the track purchased their first 2-way radios in September of 2006 but track officials can recall having radios for many years prior to this date. This tremendously helped the track and informed the fans near the gates just exactly what goes on with all those men on the track. With all the turnarounds on the track, brought new management, Mike McCutchen purchased the track for $300,000, he began running the track Feburary 18th 1997. From what I have gathered though media it seems that Mike McCutchen's time as track owner was short lived. It's a little unclear as to who exactly owned the track. There are reports that as of January of 1998 it was again owned by Greg Dhuyvetter, promoted by Tommy Coates and Mickey Cheatham. Now the next long time span is basically out there somewhere swollowed in a black hole. I was unable to find any information on track owners or promoters between 1998 and 2005. On July 29th 2005 James Longpine takes over as owner in place of Rick Bush. This was a very very short run for this track once the new promoter took over. I had spoken to Mr. Longpine on the phone on one occassion just to see ticket prices and race dates. He was a very kind man but the stands and track were in horrible condition. There were many complaints about the stands and restrooms. There's even a report that a man fell though the stands while holding his food and was given some replacement food for free after he dusted himself off. I'm assuming that the gentelman was okay but it's still a comical yet sad story to me. It's been said by many that the stands were in no condition to set in and should've been condemed. Anyone who's ever read a message board around this time heard all about it. The track I believe finished out the season and closed up. They held an auction to help pay for the back taxes and it's sat vacant ever since.
In July of 2006 there were talks of a new possible owner, the Oil Capital Racing Series promoter Tom Sewell. He stated that if it was financially feasible he would like to purchase it since it's closing down really put a hurt on his series since he had so many races schedualed there. But as we all know for some reason or another this never came to pass. The current land owner is believed to be Sue Blankenship of Dallas, Texas. I've heard that many people have tried to buy it, purchase it out right, but she's unwilling to sell. She prefers a lease. But if the rumors are true of back taxes you never know what's going to happen to that well known land mark just outside of Tulsa.
Tulsa is a 3/8th mile slightly banked dirt oval which last raced on Friday and Saturday nights. Their last seasons shows included - IMCA Modifieds, Outlaw Stocks, Factory Stocks, Mini Stocks, Pro 4's, and Cruisers. The Saturday night show included - ASCS and OCRS type Sprints.
Some well known drivers who raced at Tulsa Speedway include -
Zach Chappell - Sean McClelland - Kenneth Walker - Donnie Crawford - Shane Stewart - Rickie Gaunt - Andy Sewell - Jerry Stone - Tony Armstrong - Jac Jaudenschild - Aaron Berryhill - Leon Bacon - Andy Hillenburg - Cory Kruseman - and many many others.
A little FYI on the track's shape, if you look at the overhead shot in the photos link you'll notice that the track is somewhat misshapen. Almost a paperclip, Bud Longpine had plans to knock out the trees along the backstretch and reshape the track, making it a better track for full bodied cars. Unfortunately that deal feel though due to the track's back taxes, ect.
Another site to check out photos of midgets from Tulsa Speedway is located at -
http://winfield.50megs.com/Seago/Midgets/Tulsa/Midget_Photos_1.htm
Many thanks to Tom Loftin for the information on the track prior to 1979. Also Earl Kern and bOertle for the photos and Bob Lawrence for allowing me to link up his site.
Some interesting reading -
