It comes as a surprise to many, however, that Soldier Field in Chicago has a long and strong history in auto racing. A cinder track was built inside the stadium in the 1930s. It later was...

1967 advertisement for USAC Stock Car Series racing at Soldier Field. The USAC Stock Car Series sanctioned eight short-track stock car events at the stadium in 1967. [6] [25] Prior to this, a single USAC Stock Car Series race had been held at Soldier Field in 1961. [25]

Jun 27, 2023 · Early stock car racing action at Soldier Field. The track hosted just one NASCAR Cup race in 1956 that was won by Fireball Roberts. Three NASCAR Convertible Series events were held from 1956...

Dec 11, 2022 · On July 21, 1956, one of the most remarkable races in NASCAR history took place at Soldier Field. The race, won by rising star Fireball Roberts, was the only NASCAR Cup event held inside the...

From 1935 and until June 9,1968, Soldier Field hosted midget auto races, demolition derbies and, for a number of years, weekly stock car racing. Construction of Soldier Field, located at 14 th Street and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, began in 1922 …

Feb 18, 2016 · On July 21, 1956, the stock cars of NASCAR took to the Soldier Field track for the only 100-mile Grand National (today’s Sprint Cup series) event held at the stadium. NASCAR legend Glenn ‘Fireball’ Roberts took the checkered flag, passing Jim Pascal with six laps to go on his way to the car’s-length win.

Jun 25, 2023 · Stock car racing evokes images of county fairs and Southern racetracks, like the one in Roberts’ hometown that hosts the Daytona 500. But Chicago’s urbanites were passionate devotes of races...

In 1958, a Chicago “City Series’ for paved track stock car drivers was held at three area speed plants in August. Soldier Field on Chicago ’s lakefront, O’Hare Stadium in Schiller Park and Raceway Park near Blue Island each hosted special feature events.

Former Soldier Field stock car champion Jim Rathmann came home second with Chicago midget racing “old timer” Paul Russo finishing fourth in the powerful Novi racer. Russo’s teammate Tony Bettenhausen ended up 15th, five laps down to the winner.

Sep 7, 2018 · Long before it was the home of the Chicago Bears, Soldier Field was a very active racing facility with weekend stock car action being promoted by none other than Andy Granatelli.