Memories Of The Warsaw Speedway Available For All
April 6, 2022 at 11:05 p.m.
Memories Of The Warsaw Speedway Available For All
By Connor McCann-
For those looking to refresh their memory or perhaps learn more about one of Warsaw’s most famous attractions, the opportunity has arrived. The Kosciusko County Historical Society and the Old Jail Museum have reopened for the season, and is honoring the racetrack with its featured exhibit, “Remembering the Warsaw Speedway.”
Featuring photos, helmets, uniforms and any other type of memorabilia one could think of, the exhibit hopes to showcase all 41 years of the speedway’s history and keep it alive in the minds of those who treasured it.
“My brother and I raced on this track for eight years,” Historical Society director Gregg Steffe said. “It’s a part of our local heritage, a weekly ritual. Some people had kids that grew up at that race track.”
The speedway opened in 1949, and saw the evolution of the racecar first hand, seeing jalopies, stock cars, sprint cars and many more all competing in sprint car racing.
Before closing its doors in 1990 as a result of a lawsuit filed by seven local residents, the Warsaw Speedway played host to many talented drivers, such as World of Outlaws greats Steve Kisner and Bobby Allen, former Indy 500 winner Bill Holland and NASCAR hall of famer Jeff Gordon. Along with those well-known names, the course also served as a launching point for a plethora of drivers beginning their careers.
“It’s really significant that a little mud hole of a race track has spawned such awesome talent,” Steffe said.
But whether those racing were beginning their professional careers or competing for the love of the game, the speedway was filled either way. Now the Historical Society hopes to fill the exhibit as well.
In addition to the exhibit, the museum will also be collaborating with First Fridays on June 3 for an open house event. The event will include a reunion, vintage car show and book signing by Kim Gregory Baney, author of the book If Only Walls Could Talk, a historical look at the track.
“People remember the track very fondly and we saw this as an opportunity to bring back some of those memories,” Steffe said.
With memories being all that are left of the historical venue, the exhibit is going to be a popular place this summer.
For those looking to refresh their memory or perhaps learn more about one of Warsaw’s most famous attractions, the opportunity has arrived. The Kosciusko County Historical Society and the Old Jail Museum have reopened for the season, and is honoring the racetrack with its featured exhibit, “Remembering the Warsaw Speedway.”
Featuring photos, helmets, uniforms and any other type of memorabilia one could think of, the exhibit hopes to showcase all 41 years of the speedway’s history and keep it alive in the minds of those who treasured it.
“My brother and I raced on this track for eight years,” Historical Society director Gregg Steffe said. “It’s a part of our local heritage, a weekly ritual. Some people had kids that grew up at that race track.”
The speedway opened in 1949, and saw the evolution of the racecar first hand, seeing jalopies, stock cars, sprint cars and many more all competing in sprint car racing.
Before closing its doors in 1990 as a result of a lawsuit filed by seven local residents, the Warsaw Speedway played host to many talented drivers, such as World of Outlaws greats Steve Kisner and Bobby Allen, former Indy 500 winner Bill Holland and NASCAR hall of famer Jeff Gordon. Along with those well-known names, the course also served as a launching point for a plethora of drivers beginning their careers.
“It’s really significant that a little mud hole of a race track has spawned such awesome talent,” Steffe said.
But whether those racing were beginning their professional careers or competing for the love of the game, the speedway was filled either way. Now the Historical Society hopes to fill the exhibit as well.
In addition to the exhibit, the museum will also be collaborating with First Fridays on June 3 for an open house event. The event will include a reunion, vintage car show and book signing by Kim Gregory Baney, author of the book If Only Walls Could Talk, a historical look at the track.
“People remember the track very fondly and we saw this as an opportunity to bring back some of those memories,” Steffe said.
With memories being all that are left of the historical venue, the exhibit is going to be a popular place this summer.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092