Davenport Speedway
Encyclopedia
Davenport Speedway is a half-mile dirt race track located in Davenport, Iowa
. In 1953
, the track became the first track in Iowa
to host a NASCAR
sanctioned event, when it held a race for what is now the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Fourteen cars participated in race. Buck Baker
won the pole and Herb Thomas
was victorious in the race. Now Iowa's premiere racing venue is Iowa Speedway
which was built in 2006.
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
. In 1953
1953 in NASCAR
The 1953 NASCAR Grand National Season began on February 1 and ended on November 1. Herb Thomas, driving his own #92 Hudson Hornet, won the championship and became the first repeat champion of the Grand National Series.- 1953-01 :...
, the track became the first track in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
to host a NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
sanctioned event, when it held a race for what is now the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Fourteen cars participated in race. Buck Baker
Buck Baker
Elzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
won the pole and Herb Thomas
Herb Thomas
Herbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:...
was victorious in the race. Now Iowa's premiere racing venue is Iowa Speedway
Iowa Speedway
Iowa Speedway is a 7/8-mile paved oval motor racing track in Newton, Iowa, United States, approximately east of Des Moines. The track was designed with influence from Rusty Wallace and patterned after Richmond International Raceway, a short track where Wallace was very successful...
which was built in 2006.