Kentucky

From the travels and adventures of the “World’s #1 Trackchaser”

All-Time Favorite Kentucky Track:

High Banks Speedway

Current lifetime trackchasing state rank: 1

No trip too the Kentucky Motor Speedway is complete without a “Momma Sue’s” footlong hot dog personally recommended by Steve.

Best Memories:

I’ve chosen the High Banks Speedway in Philpot as my favorite because of the generosity of the track promoter. I showed up on a night when the track had just received a major rainfall. The infield figure 8 track was a quagmire. On a normal night, I’m sure they would never have raced on that track. However, once the promoter knew that I was the “World’s #1 Trackchaser” AND had come all the way from California to visit his little track AND that the figure 8 configuration would count as an additional track he went to work. He personally took his tractor out onto the figure 8 track and worked and worked until that track was raceable! Thanks to the High Banks Speedway for their super special trackchasing hospitality.

Darrell Dake circa 1966. (Andy Hampton photo collection – Rock Falls, Illinois)

The Northern Kentucky Speedway was the first track in the Bluegrass state I ever visited. That was back in the ‘70s. The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame is located on the grounds of the Florence Speedway formerly known as the Northern Kentucky Speedway. I returned to the facility in 2013 for the induction ceremony into the NDLMHoF of my all-time favorite driver Darrell Dake. I was asked to speak to the crowd during his induction. That was truly a highlight of my time as a race fan.

My trip to Freedom Hall was most memorable. Although the race was indoors the overnight outside temperature turned out to be below zero. I had met up with the late Wisconsin-based trackchaser Ed Esser. Ed was known for sleeping overnight in his car after the races. I offered to share my hotel room with him. He told me his sleeping bag was rated to “10 below”. Finally, he accepted my offer and we ended up talking racing until the wee hours of the morning.

In recent years I’ve seen quite a bit of racing with the Top Dog Promotions race group. They race junk cars on “circle tracks” at county fairs. Oh yeah. No trackchasing trip to Kentucky would be worthwhile without at least one visit to the Kentucky Derby. Been there. Done that. Got rained on. Had fun.

If you see a track link in the above list simply click on it to be transferred to my Trackchaser Report. Here you will be able to read about my adventure at this particular track. Not only will you learn about my time at the track but you’ll hear about all of the interesting people, places and things I encountered during the entire trip, coming and going, to that speedway. Most of my Trackchaser Reports will also include a photo album and YouTube video. Check it all out. Don’t be afraid to use the “search” box in the upper right corner of my website’s home page. Just type in the track name or whatever and you’ll be directed to the place you want to be.

Below is a key to surface types and track configurations so you can understand the above list just a little bit easier.

Surface types:  D-dirt; P-paved; M-mixed

Configuration types:  O-oval; RC-road course; F8-figure 8 track