Nazareth Speedway

Nazareth Speedway is an auto racing facility near Nazareth in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania region, which operated from 1910 to 2004 in two different track configurations. In the early years, this track had a double oval layout between asphalt and ground. In 1987 it reopened as a paved tri-oval which measured just under 1 mile.

This facility is often associated with local drivers Kenny Brightbill, Mario Andretti and Michael Andretti. This track is related to Frankie Schneider in the history of the previous dirt trail.

History
In the 1850s, the town of Nazareth hosted downtown horse races. As the attendance to these events increases, the city center is no longer able to accommodate such events. In 1900, a 0.5 miles earth circuit was built.

Short earth circuit
The first automotive events hit the racetrack in the 1910s, but these were not races. It is auto-polo, a very popular sport in the United States at that time. The first real race was hosted in 1947, organized by the American Automobile Association (AAA). 35 cars are on the track, followed by 11000 spectators}.

In 1952, Jerry Fried bought the circuit and its surroundings. He still receives races, but also demolition derby, as well as enduro races. After the buyout of Roger Penske in 1988, the short earth circuit was sold to Laneco, a supermarket in Pennsylvania, and was demolished. The facility remained closed for three years.

Long earth circuit
The long dirt track opened in April 1966, and measured 1.125 mi and is named the Nazareth National Speedway. In 1967, the track hosted nine events during the year, which was the circuit's activity record. In 1971, the long circuit was closed, and only reopened in 1982. During these eleven years, the complex was an agricultural complex, cultivating plants. After the takeover by Lindy Vicari in 1982, he renovated the infrastructure, and shortened the long dirt circuit to a one-mile oval. It plans to host the most prestigious United States Auto Club (USAC) events on earth. In financial problems, Vicari closed both circuits in 1983.

Asphalt circuit
In 1986, Roger Penske, manager of the prestigious Penske Racing team, bought the circuit. He creates a new asphalt circuit in place of the old long dirt circuit, and sells the part of the short circuit to Laneco. The circuit was renamed to the Pennsylvania International Raceway in 1987 and reopened. It looks a lot like the old long earth circuit then, but the circuit is shortened, and officially measures 1 mi.

The slope of the circuit is quite modest, but the route has a certain drop. The circuit is also the first oval to benefit from a full lane to enter and exit the pits, designated in aprtie by the driver Rick Mears. In 1993, the circuit was renamed to Nazareth Speedway. In 1997, Penske undertook further renovations.

Depending on the competitions, the length of the oval changes significantly according to the measurements of the organizers. Thus, in CART between 1997 and 2001, the track measures 0.946 mi, against 0.935 in IndyCar Series in 2002 and 2004. However, the NASCAR Keep this exact length of 1 mi. However, NASCAR stayed to a length of exactly 1 mile till closing in 2004.

Closure
Recently acquired by the International Speedway Corporation (ISC), the Nazareth Speedway closed its doors in 2004 and the races scheduled in Nazareth for the 2005 season, are relocated to Watkins Glen, a other circuit owned by ISC. In 2007, the stands are no longer in Nazareth and are moved to Watkins Glen and Michigan International Speedway.

In November 2015, Raceway Properties LLC acquired the Nazareth Speedway complex, but did not plan to host motor races there again, in part due to its proximity to the Pocono Raceway. This area should potentially serve to become a shopping center, or a residential area.

Redevelopment
In November 2015, Raceway Properties LLC purchased the property, As part of the offer, there is a non-compete clause that states that racing remains banned from returning to the property, mainly due to the proximity to Pocono Raceway. The property is currently zoned as general commercial property, with the most recent plans being to convert sections to residential zoning and build a warehouse for local business, C. F. Martin & Company.