SALEM SPEEDWAY 

Info & Race History

Location: Salem, IN

salemspeedway.com
 
Type: Real track 
Short track


First ARCA RE/MAX Series race: 1955
Total ARCA RE/MAX Series races run: 71
Qualifying record: Time 16.785, Speed 119.035 mph, Gary Bradberry, 1994
Race record: 85.913 mph, Les Snow, 1968


 

Track Layout: .555-mile paved, 33 degrees banking

Promoter: Owen & Beverly Thompson

GM/PR: Richard Deaton

Telephone: (812) 883-6504

Tickets: (888) 246-7223

First ARCA RE/MAX Series race: 1955

Total ARCA RE/MAX Series races run: 71

Qualifying record: Time 16.785, Speed 119.035 mph, Gary Bradberry, 1994

Race record: 85.913 mph, Les Snow, 1968

# of races won from the pole: 26


Track History 

     With over 50 years of racing, it is not surprising that Salem Speedway has developed a strong racing heritage and tradition that continuous today.  Some of the top names in open wheel and stock car competition visit the famed high banks each racing season to challenge the demanding .555 mile oval.
     Situated in the scenic hills of Southern Indiana, the Salem Speedways roars to life with upwards of eighteen "special events" each year.  With a season stretching from April to November, each event is special in its own right with national sanctioning bodies such as, ARCA, ASA, USAC, I-CAR, ASAR, and the Auto Valley Super Sprints, all helping to bring the finest in professional automobile racing to the world famous facility.  The versatile slate offered each exciting season includes equal representation of sprints, midgets and stocks.
     In its second half-century of existence, the Salem Speedway had enjoyed, the recognition of being one of the most unique and renowned tracks in the country.   Any history of auto racing since World War II would have to devote a sizeable chapter to the activities at Salem.  Many of the giants of auto racing have competed on the treacherous Salem High banks at some point in their careers.
     The Salem Speedway officially opened for business on June 22, 1947, with Tommy Hinnershitz winning the 20-lap feature event for AAA "Big Cars" in front of over 7,000 enthusiastic fans that packed the grounds for the inaugural Salem Event.  Since that sunny day, the names of those who have been fleet enough to reach the checkered flag first is an honor roll of the sport.  Included upon that list are luminaries such as;  Ted Horn, Troy Ruttman, Bob Seikert, Parnelli Jones, A.J. Foyt, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Curtis Turner, Benny Parsons, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Alan Kulwicki, Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart, Kenny Irwin, Jr., Jeff Gordon and many others.
     It has been said that "if a man goes fast at Salem, he can go fast anywhere."  In earlier days, as now, that statement is true, because a man must drive nearly as fast in the turns as down the straights.  He must maintain smoothness and consistency, not being intimidated by those big, steep and unforgiving banks.

Forum

i can't wait for this one. i raced for real here at salem indiana in 1997 in a midget durring a USAC show. don't forget to put the washboard bumps in the track coming out of turn 4. approximately 4 consecutive bumps that run all the way across the track. the reason for these bumps is that is where all the trucks and trailers enter the track causing the ruts from heavy rigs. not too high but enough to make the back of the car wiggle and scare you.  scared me at first in hot laps but got ready for them every lap after. 
 
there is no dog leg at salem. trust me. turns 1 and 2 are 36 degrees and 3 and 4 are close to 26 degrees.

 
i raced at salem when i drove midgets and the preferred groove in real life is low in 1-2 and up high against the wall in 3-4. that's because the banking in 3-4 isn't as high as 1-2 so everyone sets up for low in 1-2 which is the same in 3-4 up high. make any sence ? 


