Lebanon Valley Speedway
| Location | West Lebanon, New York |
|---|---|
| Owner | Howard Commander |
| Opened | 1953 |
| Website | www |
| Oval | |
| Surface | Clay |
| Length | .8 km (.5 miles) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | High bank |
| Kart track | |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Length | .2 km (.125 miles) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Dragway | |
| Surface | Concrete-asphalt |
| Length | .4 km (.25 miles) |
Lebanon Valley Speedway is a ½ mile high banked dirt oval raceway in West Lebanon, New York. The complex also includes a quarter-mile dragway and a go-kart track.
History
[edit]The Lebanon Valley Speedway was built in 1953 by a Massachusetts group consisting of Edward Radke, Robert Scott and Harold Beitzel on land leased from the Lou Spanier family. In 1954, Spanier gained ownership of the facilities, and in 1963 added the dragstrip to the complex.[1][2] Spanier served as promoter until 1970 when his nephew, Howard Commander took over the operations.[3][4]
Events
[edit]The Lebanon Valley Speedway hosts auto racing on Saturday nights throughout the summer. There are seven racing divisions — big block modifieds, small block modifieds; sportsman, prostock, limited sportsman; super stocks, and four-cylinder competition. The speedway also holds special events such as Monster trucks, as well as their 'Eve Of Destruction' which includes a school bus race, trailer race and demolition derby. In addition to traditional drag racing, the dragstrip presents "drifting" events on several days during the summer.[5][6]
References
[edit]- ^ Boyd, Lew (2018). Modifieds of the Valley: A History of Racing at Lebanon Valley Speedway. Coastal 181. ISBN 9780998862569.
- ^ Abernethy, Van (February 22, 2023). "On the Road: Lebanon Valley Dragway". Kirksville, MO: Drag Illustrated. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ Boogie, Tom (May 9, 2014). "Commander earns spot in Hall of Fame". Schenectady, NY: The Daily Gazette. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "EMPA Reveals Latest Hall Of Fame Inductees". Speed Sport. December 18, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ Yasinac-Gillespie, Robin (October 13, 2022). "Lebanon Valley not making drastic changes". Times Union (Albany). Albany NY. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ Therrien, Jim (April 25, 2024). "Lebanon Valley Speedway prepares for 72nd season of racing and events". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield MA. Retrieved May 10, 2024.