Second death at Marchbanks/Hanford speedway

In my ongoing research into Marchbanks Speedway/Hanford Motor Speedway, I learned of a second death at the track, this one in 1956.

I previously documented the 1969 death of James "Red" Stainton. But according to Motorsport Memorial, there was a death at what was then known as Marchbanks Speedway 13 years earlier, during a "500-lap Little Indianapolis hardtop jalopy race" on May 29, 1956.

Motorsport Memorial reported that mechanic Arlen Smith, 22, died after a wheel flew off one of the race cars and hit him in the back.

The story also notes a second tire came off a different car in the same race, breaking the leg of a spectator near a concession stand.

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RELATED STORIES: Read more about Marchbanks Speedway and Hanford Motor Speedway in my Marchbanks section, including this regularly updated "History of Marchbanks Speedway, aka Hanford Motor Speedway."

March 1968 Champ Car race program

he $1 race program for the first of two 1968 Champ Car races at Hanford Motor Speedway features lots of photos of action taken during the inaugural USAC Champ Car race at the newly renovated track just months before.

The images capture the wide variety of chassis and technological ideas at play during those days.

A lot of the famous names from the 1967 race returned, with one notable addition: Danny Ongais making his Hanford Champ Car debut in a rear-engine Chevy V8. Ongais crashed during practice and did not start.

Here's a breakdown of the entries:

Click to read more ...

1970 stock plan tried to keep Hanford Motor Speedway alive

I ran across an interesting item in an Oct. 1, 1970, Modesto Bee column by Art Glattke that references promoter J.C. Agajanian's plans to issue stock in order to pay for Hanford Motor Speedway improvements -- including grandstand seating for 20,000, new pits and a new infield tunnel -- required to continue hosting USAC races.

Glattke, citing a story by The Fresno Bee's Everett Feay, reported  Agajanian was trying to raise at least $750,000 by selling stock at $25 per share in blocks of 100 (and a maximum of 300). At that time, $400,000 reportedly had been raised, but "incorporation papers say the firm must have the $750,000 stock sale or no go."

"The USAC board recently gave tentative approval for Hanford's race plans and Aggie (Agajanian) is talking in terms of two Indianapolis car events and possibly a stock car program on the mile and a half triangle," Glattke wrote.

Obviously Agajanian's plan failed. I'll try to find out why, but if anyone knows, leave a comment or otherwise contact me.

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RELATED STORIES: Read more about Marchbanks Speedway and Hanford Motor Speedway in my Marchbanks section, including this regularly updated "History of Marchbanks Speedway, aka Hanford Motor Speedway."