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Racetracks contain asphalt and steel on their surfaces. However, the history goes so much deeper, even after the final checkered flag waves. The Nazareth Speedway closed its doors in 2004, leaving behind decades of racing legacy. What happened to this famed track? Here’s a look at its closing and the history left behind.
Why Did Nazareth Speedway Close?
The NASCAR circuit has mainstays like Daytona and Bristol. However, other racetracks come and go like fashion trends. A speedway will be in vogue for a few years before being phased out for the next big thing. Nazareth Speedway met this fate in the mid-2000s, as it hosted its last race in 2004. The races were fine — greed became the problem.
International Speedway Corporation (ISC) owned several racetracks in the early 2000s. Before being acquired by NASCAR, ISC owned speedways like Daytona, Darlington and Nazareth. By 2004, it closed the speedway and replaced its weekend with a Watkins Glen race. That New York road course is among the elite speedways worldwide, but it led to the death of Nazareth’s track.
Will Nazareth Speedway Return Anytime Soon?
It only took a few years for the track to become unrecognizable. By 2007 — exactly three years after the last national division race — ISC removed the grandstands and the signs. The typical infrastructure you’d see at a racetrack was gone. Two decades later, you might not guess a racetrack was ever there. Nowadays, the property includes asphalt and trees, as if you’re visiting a national park or a forest.
If you’re hoping for a reunion, your hopes are better placed elsewhere. Raceway Properties LLC bought Nazareth Speedway in 2015, though little has happened in the last decade. Reports indicate the infield would include a warehouse for C.F. Martin & Company. When Raceway Properties purchased the property, the offer stipulated that racing would be banned. Unless that changes, racing there is over.
Where Is the Racetrack Located?
Most NASCAR tracks are in the Southeast, as it’s more popular in this region than anywhere else. However, Nazareth Speedway is among the few north of the Mason-Dixon line. The speedway is in Lower Nazareth Township, just outside Allentown. You can easily take a day trip from Philadelphia or Scranton. It’s also a stone’s throw from the famed Pocono Raceway.
NASCAR tracks are typically located near midsize cities or small towns. For instance, Martinsville, Virginia, feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. However, Nazareth Speedway was unique because it was between major U.S. metro areas. The populations of Philadelphia, New York and Newark meant that millions were within driving distance for each Nazareth event.
Nazareth Speedway’s Long History of Racing
NASCAR raced at Nazareth for a relatively brief period. That said, the track’s history goes back to the Antebellum era. The property was originally built for horse racing way back in the 1850s. Therefore, it was a dirt track for much of its history. If NASCAR had raced back then, they would’ve needed thorough rim cleanings to maintain their stock cars.
The dirt track legacy persisted throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th century. By the late 1940s, Nazareth moved from horse racing to stock cars. The American Automobile Association hosted a race in 1947 that was well received by the racing community. The next couple of decades saw dirt races, demolition derbies and enduro races.
Racing Royalty Makes Its Name
By 1966, the Nazareth National Speedway owners reopened the big track. It was ready for stock cars, modifieds and champ cars, including those driven by racing’s biggest names. Frankie Schneider dominated the modified races, while Al Unser won USAC races. In 1968, Unser defeated Mario Andretti, the focus of racing documentaries like “1” and “Drive Like Andretti.”
While Andretti’s name carries weight, the best driver to race the dirt track may have been Buzzie Reutimann. The Florida native won multiple series championships in 1972 and 1973, including races at Nazareth. Buzzie is the father of David, who won a couple of races in the NASCAR Cup Series. Other notable racers at Nazareth included Al Tasnady and Rags Carter.
Here Comes the Captain
Fast forward a century to 1986. Roger Penske, known as “The Captain,” purchased the track and paved it. He converted it into a 1.125-mile track, one of the most unique on the NASCAR circuit. While half the size of Pocono, Nazareth Speedway races similarly to the Tricky Triangle. The low banking is also reminiscent of New Hampshire Motor Speedway or the old Phoenix Raceway.
By 1988, the track was ready for NASCAR national series racing. It differed from the old configuration because the banking increased. While less steep than Talladega or Bristol, the track benefited from better racing. Progressive banking facilitates better racing because drivers can utilize multiple grooves. That sounds better than drivers following each other in a single-file line.
The Legacy Left Behind
Nazareth Speedway will forever be the home track of the Andrettis. The family emigrated from modern-day Croatia to Nazareth in the 1950s. Mario raced at the local speedway and other dirt tracks in the region. He quickly became one of the best drivers nationwide, regardless of the series. Who else can say they won the Daytona 500 and a race at Nazareth? Only Matt Kenseth is part of that club.
NASCAR raced at Nazareth for a brief period. However, the races were exciting, with winners rarely repeating their victories. It took a decade for the first repeat winner, as Tim Fedewa won in 1995 and 1998. Ron Hornaday Jr. was the only other repeat winner in the track’s NASCAR National Series history.
Ending With a Bang
The 2004 race at Nazareth Speedway marked the final event in a two-decade span of NASCAR history. However, it ended with one of the best finishes of the season. Bobby Hamilton Jr. was leading the final stages and was on the verge of his first win of the 2004 circuit. However, lapped traffic interfered, opening the door for Martin Truex Jr. The eventual series champion took advantage and made a last-lap pass for the win.
Nowadays, Nazareth lives in our hearts and in video games. The track is playable in every EA Sports NASCAR game from 2005 to 2009. So, if you’re nostalgic for 2000s NASCAR, dust off the old console and log some laps. These games considered the speedway to be a fantasy track, considering the final checkered flag waved in 2004.
Remembering the Best of the Nazareth Speedway
If you’re a new NASCAR fan, you may be more familiar with the current tracks. However, it’s worth your time to watch old Nazareth Speedway races. This track has a strong legacy in NASCAR, USAC, champ car and other racing associations. It even existed before the Civil War! While it’s a commercial property now, the 1.125-mile oval has plenty of stories to tell.
