Page 14 - osmer_saugusspeedwayscrapbook

Hollywood and the major movie industry, the Sunday afternoon crowds of ten to twelve and 1954 Indianapolis 500, then lost his life in a
track is often featured in films and TV shows. The thousand watched open wheel greats Troy qualifying attempt on the bricks in 1955.
Incredible Hulk, the Dukes of Hazard, and Knight Ruttman, Bill Vukovich Sr, Allen Heath, Walt The stadium's dirt track was first paved in
Rider are but a few of the more popular ones. Avid Faulkner, Johnny McDowell, Jack McGrath, Mel 1946, but was later torn out and the track reverted
stock car fan (and crowd favorite!) James Garner Hanson, Danny Oakes, and many others duel in to dirt. Midget auto racing, the latest sensation
of Rockford Files fame enjoys an occassional the dirt. Several of these same men went on to "sit across the country, continued to draw large crowds
Saturday night at Saugus. on the bricks" at Indianapolis each Memorial Day. through the late '40s. In 194 7, the big roadsters
In 1934, Gibson sold the ranch to Paul Hill, In 1940 and '41, Bonelli Stadium was a regular roared onto the scene and were the big attraction
operator of the Western Stockyards. But during stop on the Red Circuit of the United Racing until 1950 when, midgets staged a brief comeback.
the 193 7 floods, water rushing down Soledad Association midgets where Johnnie Parsons won The years had taken their toll on the original
Canyon filled the stadium and ranch house with the championship both years. The track then went stands. Subsequently, in 1950, the backstretch
debris. The clean-up effort was just too much for silent for World War II on June 30, 1942. stands were replaced by "imported" seating from
Hill, so the bank took the property back. Bonelli Stadium was the site of the first post- Gilmore Stadium, which had closed down earlier
It was then purchased by William Bonelli and war race on the West Coast. The date was September that same year.
renamed Bonelli Stadium. It was "Big Bill" who 9, 1945 and Billy Vukovich was first to the checkers. During the early fifties, midgets and roadsters
started auto racing here in 1939. Its flat dirt oval Nine race meetings were held during the year, with shared the track about equally with the occasional
was tested by the top drivers of the late '30s and Vukovich winning the championship. Race buffs rodeo or circus thrown in. In 1956, the track was
early '40s. may recall that Vukovich went on to win the 1953 paved for the second time.
The first "stock car" racing event was held
in 1959. It was promoted by Tony Coldewey
who later formed the Pacific Racing Associa-
tion. Only 23 cars were on hand for that first
race and the fans numbered fewer than 400.
Many said it wouldn't last. That was over 25
years ago.
With the formation of the Pacific Racing
Association, Bonelli Stadium was renamed
Saugus Speedway, although still owned by the
Bonelli family. During the PRA stock car years
of 1959 to 1972, the list of Saugus Speedway
stars reads like a Who's Who list of Southern
California racing.

Midgets ruled the Southern California racing
scene from 1935 through 1950. Early favorites
on the Bonelli Stadium dirt include Johnnie
Parsons, Billy Vukovich, and Troy Ruttman.
Wrap-around seating held up to 12,000 fans for
_,__ __ ......... a single event.

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