Marchbanks Speedway(alsoHanford Motor Speedway) was a racetrack located inSan Joaquin ValleynearHanford,California.It hostedopen-wheelandNASCARcars, as well asmotorcycle racing,in the 1950s and 1960s. The track was subsequently demolished.
 | |
| Location | Kings County,nearHanford,California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°16′23″N119°35′45″W/ 36.2731°N 119.5959°W |
| Opened | 1951 |
| Closed | 1970 |
| Major events | USACNational Championship California 200 (1967–1969) Hanford 250 (1968) NASCARGrand National (1951, 1960–1961) |
| Dirtoval | |
| Surface | dirt |
| Length | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) |
| Asphalttri-oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.375 miles (2.212 km) |
It was originally built by local farmer B. L. Marchbanks, and named after himself. The track began as a half miledirt track.It was later paved as a 1.4-mile (2.3 km), high-banked racetrack and also hosted speed runs for watercraft in an infield lake, much asLake Lloydat theDaytona International Speedwaydoes today.
Three NASCAR races were held at the track. The first was held on the dirt track in 1951.Danny Weinbergwon his only NASCAR race.Marvin Porterwon the race on the 1.4-mile (2.3 km) paved course in 1960. The NASCAR race record was set March 12, 1961, whenFireball Robertsled all 178 laps of a 250-mile (400 km) race, hosted at the track. He finished two laps ahead of the second place driver.[1][2][3]
Lap Records
editThe official race lap records at Marchbanks Speedway (Hanford Motor Speedway) are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Tri-Oval: 2.212 km (1960–1969)[4] | ||||
| USACIndyCar | 30.351[5] | Joe Leonard | Lotus 56 | 1968 Hanford 250 |
| Stock car racing | 50.321[6] | David Pearson | Pontiac Catalina | 1961 Hanford NASCAR Grand National round |
Gaming
editHanford is included inIndianapolis 500 Evolution.
Sources
edit- ^Track NASCAR winners listat racing-reference.info, Retrieved November 26, 2007
- ^Qualifying Record-Breaker,1999, Retrieved November 26, 2007
- ^Countdown: California;Mark Aumann, NASCAR.COM, January 7, 2006, Retrieved November 26, 2007
- ^"Hanford".Retrieved4 June2022.
- ^"1968 HANFORD 250".Retrieved4 June2022.
- ^"1961-08".Retrieved4 June2022.
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