Williams Grove Speedway is a half-mile automobile dirt racing track located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. The speedway opened on May 21, 1939, and has hosted many of the most notable national touring series and some of those most prestigious races in the country. The speedway is entering its 77th year of operation, with racing every Friday from March to October and other special events. One of these special events is the $50,000 to win National Open for sprint cars sanctioned by the World of Outlaws racing series held in October.History1930s-1940sIn late 1937, car owner at that time, Emmett Shelley convinced Williams Grove Park Owner Roy Richwine to build a speedway across the street from the park and on May 21, 1939, Williams Grove Speedway held its first race. The race was won by Tommy Hinnershitz. The speedway ran "big car" races under the American Automobile Association (AAA) sanction as well as select American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Pro Flat track races in its first few years of operation. In 1942, the speedway halted operation due to World War II until after its completion in 1945. In 1947, a year after the continuation of racing, major improvements at the speedway were made including lighting for night racing, a pedestrian tunnel at the entrance to turn one and the "famous" bridge across the backstretch. In 1949, the American Championship Car Racing National Championship would make an appearance, drawing a large crowd in a race won by Johnny Mantz. At the end of the 1940s the National Roadster Championships were held at the speedway, which would help greatly influence the future of racing in the next decade.
