Ona Speedway
Template:Motorsport venue Ona Speedway, formerly known as West Virginia International Raceway, is an oval short track motor racing located in Ona, West Virginia, West Virginia. Ona is known for being the only paved oval race track in West Virginia, hosting NASCAR Cup Series races in 1963,1964,1970,1971, and its location adjacent to the Ona Airpark.
The track is currently operating, hosting bi-weekly stock car racing. Classes of cars raced include Late model, Modified_stock_car_racing, Legends car racing, Hobby Stocks, Classics, Compacts, and UCAR.
Track History
Constructed in 1962 at costs of $750,000 by West Virginia Sports and Motor Sports Inc, the track was phase 1 of a larger project that would include an airport and 1.375-mile superspeedway. The track was purchased by television celebrity Dick Clark in 1969.
1960s
The track hosted two NASCAR Cup Series races. The 1963 Mountaineer 300 was held on August 18th, 1963 with an attendance of 16,000. The 300 lap race was won by Fred Lorenzen[1]. The 1964 Mountaineer 500 was held on August 16th, 1964 with an attendance of 12,000. The 500 lap race was won by Richard Petty[2]. Other notable drivers who raced at the track include Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, Jim Paschal,David Pearson (racing driver)|David Pearson, Wendell Scott, Buck Baker, and Joe Weatherly[3]. In 1965 Nascar did not return to Ona and the planned 1.375-mile superspeedway was canceled. The track was shut down until it was purchased by Dick Clark in 1969.
Cancelled Superspeedway
The West Virginia Superspeedway was planned to be 1.375 miles in length with 32° banked corners, 12° straits, and 40ft wide racing surface. It was designed to be a tri-oval design similar to Daytona International Speedway. The design called for 30,000 seating capacity, a football field between pit road and the front stretch grandstands, and a pit area large enough to serve 50 cars. The track was expected to be similar to Darlington Raceway in terms of speed and fan attendance.
1970s
The track hosted two NASCAR Cup Series races in the 1970s. The 1970 West Virginia 300 was held on August 11th, 1970 with an attendance of 8,600. The 300 lap race was won by Richard Petty[4]. The 1971 West Virginia 500 was held on August 16th, 1964 with an attendance of 10,000. The 500 lap race was won by Richard Petty[5]. Other notable drivers who raced at the track in the 1970s include James Hylton, Dave Marcis, Cecil Gordon, Elmo Langley, Ron Keselowski, Bobby Isaac, Bobby Allison, Buddy Baker, and Benny Parsons[6]. The track shut down after NASCAR did not return for the 1973 season.
1980s
The track sat dormant with no known races held at the facility. The adjacent Ona Airpark was completed and opened in 1987[7].
1990s
In 1995, the track was repaved and reopened by Donnie Chapman[8]. The track record of 16.41 was set by Charlie Perry racing an open-wheel modified in 1997[9]. The track continued to host with weekly racing throughout the decade.
2000s
In 2007 the track hosted Nascar drivers Michael Waltrip, Sterling Marlin, Martin Truex Jr, Kenny Wallace, and Clint Bowyer[10]. The track continued intermittent operation under multiple promoters hosting local racing classes. Classes of cars raced include Late model, Modified_stock_car_racing, Hobby Stocks, Classics, Anycar, and UCAR.
2010s
The track continued intermittent operation under multiple promoters hosting local racing classes. Classes of cars raced include Late model|Late Models, Modified_stock_car_racing, Hobby Stocks, Classics, Anycar, and UCAR.
2020s
The track is currently operating, hosting bi-weekly stock car racing under the promoter Speedway Management and Operations (Thomas Mays). Classes of cars raced include Late model, Modified_stock_car_racing, Legends car racing, Hobby Stocks, Classics, Compacts, and UCAR.
References
- ↑ "1963 Mountaineer 300". racing-reference.info. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "1964 Mountaineer 500". racing-reference.info. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "West Virginia International Speedway". racing-reference.info. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "1970 West Virginia 300". racing-reference.info. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "1971 West Virginia 500". racing-reference.info. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "West Virginia International Speedway". racing-reference.info. December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "Ona Airpark". airnav.com. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "History of ona speedway". racingin.com. March 5, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "Barboursville man remembers his car racing past". herald-dispatch.com/.com. August 14, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ↑ "Ona Speedway honors McGinnis". herald-dispatch.com/.com. June 12, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
External links
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