Lawrence County Speedway

Roy Hayden of Vincennes opened his miniature automobile (midget) racing bowl in July 1946 located on the blacktop road north of May Chapel Church known then as the George Field Road between Lawrenceville and Vincennes.  He called it the Lawrence County Speedway.  The track was a fifth of a mile. He advertised nationally known drivers and racing cars from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida would appear.  A chartered bus service for fans, leaving from Vincennes City Hall to the Lawrence County track, was offered.

The Vincennes Sun Commercial reported 5,000 fans attended the opening races with 32 drivers entering. The track management was as surprised as the reporter and vowed there would be better parking facilities, new treatment of the track to lay down the dust, and better concessions arrangements before the next race. In August of that same year, the track had indeed had its ‘face lifted’.  A watering system was installed, and the management guaranteed a dustless track.  More and better parking facilities had also been arranged. In addition, the track had been banked assuring more speed.

The 1947 midget racing season opened at the track Sunday night, June 15, with good lights and no dust. The parade offered by the full field of cars and drivers was a spectacular event in which all cars took part; the leader carrying the Stars and Stripes as the national anthem was played. The entire group of cars were on the track at one time making one and two rounds in perfect single file formation and on crossing the finish line were directed by their flagman and automatically stepped in to double file, and then three abreast, then 4, and closing the formation with hubcaps, radiator, and tail guards practically touching each other and remained that way for a few fast laps around the track.

Motorcycle races were added in 1948 and 1949 as were stunt driving shows. The newspapers reported accidents and non- life-threatening injuries.  

In August of 1950, the building and contents of the Lawrence County Speedway were almost completely consumed by fire.  All that remained was a small shed and the bleacher seats. Roy Hayden, owner of the Speedway, estimated his loss at $15,000. Included in the loss were the buildings that had been recently improved with additions, furnishings such as a Hammond organ, a deep-freeze unit and about $800 cash.

But this didn’t stop the entrepreneur. The track reopened in 1951. Lawrenceville Auto Company sponsored Tex Ritter, Jimmie Lynch’s Death Dodgers, and girl riders and albinos from the White Horse Ranch for a thrill- packed presentation. Admission was one dollar with children under 12 admitted free. See photos

The 1952 season included stock car races on Thursday nights with Midget auto racing each Sunday night. Bud Lewis was Lawrenceville’s popular contribution to stock car racing world in August 1952. As reported in the Vincennes paper, ‘the local speed merchant bested a field of six in the first event at the track and then proceeded to obliterate the competition by taking the trophy dash and climaxed his ‘hat trick’ performance by spectacularly winning the featured event.’   

Stock Car racing ended in 1953, as apparently the audience preferred midget racing but midget races and ‘thrill’ shows continued in the 50s.  By the 60s an indoor shooting range and a dance floor were added.   Circuses and rodeos were held on the premises.

Stock car races were once again held on Friday evenings with a $600 purse offered to the winner, while Midget races were held on Sundays in the 70s. In October 1972, the season opened with motorcycle races in six classes.  Lawrenceville and Vincennes merchants donated trophies and gift certificates. Alvin Perry, Bridgeport, grabbed first place in the open class. Pat Halter, Lawrenceville, took home top honors in the 175cc class. Robert Smith, Sumner, placed second in 125cc class. Mike Mefford of Lawrenceville won the 100cc competition with John Davis of St Francisville taking second place. The trophy dash was won by Robert Smith and with Mike Mefford placing second.

By 1976 the Lawrence County Speedway was owned and operated by the Lyman Fisher family of Lawrence County. Motorcycle racing was sponsored by the Sandridge Motorcycle Club.  Mini -Bikes were included. Mike Mefford continued to bring home the trophies.

Lyman Fisher sold the tract to Morris “Mo” Eisenhut and his wife Peggy of Rantoul Illinois provided they would continue using it as a racetrack.  Eisenhut vowed to do so with seasonal motorcycle races every Saturday night. Any child, boy or girl, (some as young as four) with a minibike and sufficient safety equipment were eligible to race. The races began each week with a special attraction of peewee motorcycle riders; trophies were awarded to each child in this division. Following the peewee drivers, bike riders signed with the American Motorcycle Association were featured. Additional trophies were given to the winners of these races and points awarded toward a pro's license. There was no money involved in this sport. The biggest thing Eisenhut stressed was to keep young people off the streets. Others scheduled events for the season included turkey shoots, modified tractor pulls, and midget racing.

The name Lawrence County Speedway was no longer used.