Rolling Wheels Raceway
| Location | Elbridge, New York |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1969 |
| Closed | 2017 |
| Oval | |
| Surface | Clay |
| Length | 1 km (.625 miles) |
| Turns | 4 |
Rolling Wheels Raceway a.k.a. Rolling Wheels Raceway Park was a 5/8 mile dirt oval raceway in Elbridge, New York. Canadian Lloyd Holt won the first full season track title in 1970.[1]
History
[edit]Rolling Wheels was built by Robert M. Petrocci with the first race at the facility held in August 1969. The following summer Petrocci was fatally injured while visiting the Spencer Speedway when a race car became airborne and crashed into the pit-side grandstands. Petrocci's sons Robert Jr. and Darryl took over operations at the track, and soon teamed up with promoter Glenn Donnelly to become one of the three original tracks that made up Drivers Independent Race Tracks (DIRT).[2]
Donnelly, along with Bruno DeMatteo and Paul Vitale purchased the speedway from the Petrocci family, and promoted it as a "specials only" venue until selling it to the World Racing Group (then Boundless Motorsports) in 2004.[3] In 2014, investors Bill Mendick and Bert Butler purchased the facility and hired Donnelly as manager and event promoter.[4] Jeremie Corcoran took over promotional duties for 2016, and in 2017 Paul Szmal was bought in as race director.[5][6]
The final race held August 10, 2017 was captured by Gary Tomkins[7] A monster truck event on September 9, 2017, was the last event presented at the venue.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Elkins, Doug (August 7, 2014). "Super DIRTcar Series coming to Weedsport with Hall of Fame 100". The Post-Standard. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Elkins, Doug (April 29, 2010). "Rolling Wheels opens with Challenge Cup for big blocks on Sunday". The Post-Standard. Syracuse NY. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Boundless acquires Rolling Wheels Raceway Park". Motorsport.com. June 2, 2004. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Moriarty, Rick (May 21, 2015). "Dirt racing king Glenn Donnelly taking over Rolling Wheels Raceway". The Post-Standard. Syracuse NY. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Monfiletto, J (August 25, 2016). "Rolling Wheels Raceway Park set to host season opener after losing promoter weekend before". The Citizen. Auburn NY. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Monfiletto, J (June 3, 2017). "New Rolling Wheels race director ready to go with motorcycle, stock car events in July". The Citizen. Auburn NY. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Gary Tomkins Takes Home $7,500 For Summer Broiler Win At Rolling Wheels". Dirt Track Digest. August 11, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Monster Trucks Rumble in 'Monster Mash' at Rolling Wheels Raceway". Dirt Track Digest. August 30, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2024.