01.10.03_PEN_NAT_STR_2002_1.jpg (70927 bytes)

Photo ID # 01.10_03_PEN_NAT_STR_2002_1
Car #: N/A
Driver (s) : N/A
Location: Penn National Speedway
Date: August, 2002
Photographer: Chris Noble
Photo provided by: Chris Noble
Comments: Chris's photo shows the weeds are quick to replace the racecars....
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Date: Visitor's  Name:

Comment:

02/07/03 Dale I can remember the 4 20's and the Lebanon Valley 100 lapper. The sprint carscoming home would even stop in and park at the horse track to get a glimpse of the racing. I can also still see Toby jr pull his rig out and park it on the front straight. It's a shame!
03/19/03 Mike Feltenberger I was the asst starter there for 7 years after being track photographer for 2.  It is incredible to even see the track in this shape. I really believe that if it were not for the Opening Day grandstand fire, we would still be seeing racing at this fine facility. I occasionally email PN about what it would take to have races there again. Since they do not have the West Coast betting for Sunday races, anything could be possible. Anyone with some major backing and willing to redo the grandstands and track surface could have a chance at restoring this track to it's once showpiece it was.
06/11/03 Steve Fegley That picture makes you want to cry. I spent a lot of Sundays there. I remember Billy the Kid and Ronnie Tobias in a furious last lap side by side duel for the win, ending in turn 3 in a blaze of sparks as Ronnie ended up in the turn 3 wall and Billy went on to win. Toby Jr had a straight-away lead in the hundred lapper only to run out of fuel with 10 to go handing Kenny Brightbill the win (his 3rd 100 lapper of the weekend).

I remember all the races Billy the Kid won. But most of all. the closeness of how much this place was like Reading. Every Sunday afternoon it was like going back in time. If I could win the lottery tomorrow, I’d buy it not even thinking twice. I thought dirt track modified racing would last forever - It’s not looking good. Someone explain to the rich people that with a little effort, dirt washes off, and if you don’t like noise, don’t build your 3 million dollar mansion right next to a speedway! Hellllllllllllllllooooooooo…. heres your sign idiots. All I want to know is where is all the township people when this goes? I guess the almighty dollar gets people to turn the cheek. Well Big D, Grandveiw and Susky is all Pensy has left, and NJ isn’t doing much better.

01/02/04 Gary Lileck Turn three. Wow, another heartbreaking photo. I had the honor of covering Penn National's races for AARN from 1993 through it's final races won by Kenny Brightbill and Scott Weik in 1996. It was cool to write for Penn since I had spent so much time spectating there when I was younger. Such great memories. Yes, we remember Toby pulling his hauler onto the track in '89. Fred Rahmer getting a last minute ride in Scott Irwin's No. 7, and he won the feature. "Electrifying" Elvin and his flashy No. 46 cars in the 70s. The Late Ronnie Tobias. Who could forget some of the fantastic accomplishments that Ronnie made at the speedway. Some great Lebanon Valley 100 races. Kenny Schrader was there one night sigining autographs. It's all just a memory now.  
06/28/04 Gregg Hill What a shame! In the early 80's I spent a lot of Sundays there taking photos for Keystone Auto News and also helping out on Joe Vaccaro's street stock. What memories!  Especially one year after the Lebanon Valley 100 staying after 4 in the morning drinking beer until they finally kicked us out!( try doing that today!) Growing up going to the races at Reading, Penn National was the next best thing. God, I miss that track! Thanks for the memories!  Sincerely, Gregg Hill
     

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