Rings of Speed:
America’s Historic Race Tracks

Author: Jason Smith

For those interested in the history of auto racing, there is so much available to discover and explore in aerial imagery. Many legendary tracks have been the settings for our racing history. Some of them no longer exist, while others continue to thrill fans to this day. Here are some examples of the tracks that can be found in aerial imagery.

Langhorne Speedway

Langhorne Speedway, known as "The Big Left Turn," was a mile-long dirt track in Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, Langhorne quickly earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous and challenging tracks in America. Its unique "circular" shape, unlike the more common oval or rectangular tracks, contributed to its perilous nature.

Despite the dangers, it attracted top drivers and hosted various types of races, including IndyCar, NASCAR, and sprint cars. The speedway closed in 1971, largely due to the high number of fatalities and the evolution towards safer, more modern racing facilities.

Oakland Speedway

Oakland Speedway was established in 1931 and was located in San Leandro, California, near the city of Oakland. The track featured a one-mile, banked dirt oval, which was typical of the period, but still proved to be a challenging surface for drivers. It quickly became a prominent venue for various types of racing, including midget car, sprint car racing, motorcycle racing, and the popular AAA Championship Car series.

The track’s safety record became a problem, claiming a total of twelve lives. After four motorcyclists were killed in 1941, the Oakland Tribune called for the venue to be shut down, echoing the urgent recommendation by a coroner’s

jury. Within a few months, however, the United States would join the Allied Powers and the focus of the American public shifted toward the war effort. Oakland Speedway’s lease was not renewed, which marked the end of the track’s short-lived but noteworthy story.

Undoubtedly, at both of the sites of these historic race tracks, most of the shoppers loading their trunks with their shopping bags from Sam's Club, Target, or Kohl’s are oblivious to the many thrilling, fast-paced events that occurred right where they're standing.

Daytona Beach Road Course & International Speedway

Before the establishment of Daytona International Speedway, racing in Daytona Beach took place on a unique beach and road course. The Daytona Beach Road Course was used from 1902 until 1958. This track combined the hard-packed sands of Daytona Beach with a section of paved road, creating a 4.1-mile oval track with two straightaways, one along the beach itself and the other along the adjacent highway, connected by two tight, sandy turns. 

As the cars got faster, and the crowds continued to grow, the need for a newer, more modern raceway became increasingly apparent. Bill France, who had organized NASCAR in 1948 and was running races at Daytona Beach, dreamed of building a “superspeedway” to rival all other hard-surface tracks and allow for faster racing speeds. By 1955, he was working with the city of Daytona Beach to make this dream a reality.

The creation of a “Superspeedway”

The new Daytona International Speedway was designed by Bill France himself. The track’s tri-oval shape and steep banking (31 degrees in the turns) were a revolutionary feature at the time, higher speeds and pack racing, where cars run closely together in large groups. It had the added benefit of better visibility for the spectators.

The legendary Daytona 500, often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing,” has been held there every year since it opened in 1959. The Speedway has seen many records made, and hosted numerous iconic races and moments, including Richard Petty's seven Daytona 500 victories, Dale Earnhardt's long-awaited win in 1998. Other major events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Daytona 200 motorcycle race.

Daytona has been at the forefront of technological advancements in racing. The track was one of the first to install lights for night racing, enhancing the fan experience and expanding the possibilities for scheduling races. After the tragic death of Earnhardt occurred there in 2001, it led to significant safety improvements in NASCAR.

Daytona International Speedway is not just a racing venue; it's a cultural landmark. It has become synonymous with American motorsport and has a significant economic impact on the Daytona Beach area, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Finally, we come to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which opened in 1909. It was built on 328 acres called Pressley Farm, located about 5 miles outside of Indianapolis. Entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher convinced three fellow enthusiasts to purchase the land for $72,000, and The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Company was officially formed.

The ample acreage and level farmland allowed the track to be altered and upgraded as needed. Unlike Daytona, this track is a 2.5-mile rectangular oval with four distinct turns, each banked at only 9 degrees, and long straightaways. It has a unique "rectangular oval" shape, often referred to as a "square oval," which differs significantly from traditional oval tracks. 

The track was originally constructed with a crushed stone and tar surface, but after initial races highlighted safety concerns, it was repaved with 3.2 million bricks, earning it the nickname "The Brickyard." Today, a 3-foot strip of the original bricks remains at the start/finish line. Another iconic feature is the Pagoda, which first appeared in 1913 and has gone through several iterations.

Home to the Indianapolis 500, it’s one of the oldest and most revered tracks in the world. The 500-mile race is a cornerstone of American motorsport, and legends like A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears, each with four wins, have cemented their legacies here. It has hosted a variety of major events beyond the Indy 500, including NASCAR's Brickyard 400, Formula 1's United States Grand Prix, and MotoGP races.

Like Daytona, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is another cultural landmark. The Speedway, one of the largest sporting venues in the world by capacity, remains a pinnacle of racing tradition and achievement.

From the legendary tracks that still echo with the roar of engines to those that have faded into history, each has contributed to the tapestry of American motorsport. So many of America’s race tracks, infamous, well-known, or otherwise, can be discovered and explored on HistoricAerials. Dive into this captivating history and explore the evolution of racing through aerial imagery.

Magistrate Recommends Dismissing EDR Copyright Infringement Case Over Sanborn Maps

By Larry Schnapf

In a significant development for historians and the environmental due diligence market, a magistrate judge has recommended dismissing copyright infringement claims brought by The Sanborn Library LLC (SBL) against ERIS Information Inc. (ERIS). The case revolves around the copyright status of over a million Sanborn fire insurance maps, crucial for historical research and environmental assessments. The judge found substantial evidence that many of these maps may be in the public domain, challenging SBL's claims. This decision could reshape the market, potentially allowing historians and environmental consultants to use these maps without purchasing licenses, thereby reducing due diligence costs for clients. Read the full story to understand the complex legal arguments and potential market impacts here.

New Images Added

• Added aerial photo coverage for all of Middlesex County Virginia in the year 1960. View of the county seat Saluda Virginia in 1960.

• Added aerial photo coverage for all of Briscoe County Texas in the year 1959. View of the county seat and largest city Silverton Texas in 1959.

• Added aerial photo coverage for Blanco County Texas in the years 1957 and 1958. View of the county seat Johnson City Texas in the year 1957.

• Added aerial photo coverage for Greene County Alabama in the years 1959 and 1960. View of the county seat and largest city Eutaw Alabama in the year 1960.

• Added aerial photo coverage for all of Walker County Texas in the year 1958. View of Sam Houston State University fka Sam Houston State Teachers College located in Huntsville Texas in 1958.

• Added aerial photo coverage for all of Cherokee County Oklahoma in the year 1958. View of Northeastern State University fka Northeastern State College located in Tahlequah Oklahoma in 1958.

• Added aerial photo coverage for Cameron County Texas in the year 1962. View of the location of the Battle of Palmito Ranch aka the Battle of Palmito Hill considered by some criteria the final battle of the American Civil War as seen in 1962. 

• Added aerial photo coverage for King William County Virginia in the years 1960 and 1961. View of the largest city West Point Virginia in the year 1960.

• Added aerial photo coverage for all of Coke County Texas in the year 1958. View of the county seat and largest city Robert Lee Texas in 1958.

• Added aerial photo coverage for McCulloch County Texas in the years 1957 and 1958. View of the county seat and largest city Brady Texas in the year 1957.

• Added aerial photo coverage for Dallas County Alabama in the years 1959 and 1960. View of Edmund Pettus Bridge located in Selma Alabama in the year 1960.

• Added aerial photo coverage for all of Polk County Texas in the year 1958. View of the county seat and largest city Livingston Texas in 1958.

• Added aerial photo coverage for all of Woods County Oklahoma in the year 1959. View of Little Sahara State Park named for its resemblance to the Sahara Desert as seen in 1959.

• Added aerial photo coverage for all of Medina County Texas in the year 1959. View of the county seat and largest city Hondo Texas in 1959.

"Through the Lens" Documentary Update

We're continuing with more filming for our documentary on the history of aerial photography, titled "Through the Lens!"

We are creating an engaging documentary that traces the evolution of aerial photography from its early days with hot air balloons to today's advanced satellite and drone technology. This film explores key technological breakthroughs and their impact on how we view the world from above.

To learn more, view our teaser trailer on Youtube here.

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