Five Mile Point To Close After 72 Years

As the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end" but in this case, it's a great thing and we are incredibly sad that it is ending after this year. I'm talking about Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood New York.

Five Mile Point Speedway Closing After 72 Years

This incredibly popular dirt track is calling it quits after 72 years. According to reports, the speedway property will be bought by a land developer. I had the privilege of being a race announcer at the track for a couple years in the late 90's.

Husband and wife, Irving and Anna Heath built the speedway in 1951 and the track has stayed in the family ever since. Mr. Heath passed away in 1965 and Anna remained the owner until 2003 when she sold the track to her grandson, "Heath" Andrew Harpell.

Anna passed away in the winter of 2004 and never had the chance to see all the improvements that Andrew would make to the track. Beginning in 1965, Five Mile Point has been honoring the Heath's with the Heath Memorial Race for the past 58 years.

Five Mile Point Speedway's Greatest Drivers

They've given us 72 wonderful years of memories with some of the greatest dirt track racers to take to the quarter-mile oval including the "Pink Panther" Chuck Akulis, Mike Colsten, Stewart Friesen, Brian "Dream: Weaver and "Junkyard Jet" Doug Worthing.

If you liked side-by-side modified racing then Five Mile Point Speedway was the place to be.

The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Series Tour was held on Saturday, October 20th for the first time this season and the final time ever. They had cars from the 60’s, 70’s and replica cars from that same era.

Final Race At Five Mile Point Speedway

On Saturday, October 28th and Sunday, October 29th, they'll host the National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Weekend. The highlight of the weekend will be the "Southern Tier 72" for the Modifieds on Saturday.

Five Mile Point Speedway is one of the most historic race tracks in the country and we were fortunate to have it in our own backyard for 72 years. Thanks for the awesome memories. So who was your favorite driver at Five Mile Point Speedway?