Mystery Friday Foto #27 Solved: Freeport Racetrack/Stadium
Did you identify the Freeport Stadium?
Mystery Foto questions:
Identify:
- The stadium and its location
Freeport Racetrack and Stadium in Freeport
- What activities took place on the stadium's property
Freeport Stadium was a massive project when it was built. The site was to consist of a Rifle Range, a Baseball Field, Boxing Ring and a 1/5th mile dirt oval speedway, with a Football field on the infield. In 1939 the track surface was paved and racing continued through until 1941 when the worldwide ban on motor racing came into effect.
- Date of construction
The speedway opened in 1933 with Motorcycle and Midget racing on the program.
- Date of its closing
After the war, racing resumed and in the 1950's the speedway was hosting Stock Car and Modifieds on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The speedway enjoyed many years of success finally closing in 1983 and later making way for the developers.
- What is on the location today?
A BJ's Wholesale sits on the former racetrack site today.
Comments (5)
Congrats to Dick Gorman, Steve Lucas, Steven Vilardi, Charles Salvato, and Al Velocci for identifying the Freeport racetrack.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Close-Up
1933
Comments
Mystery Foto #*27…This pic shows Freeport Municipal Stadium in Freeport of course. Mainly known for Midget and Stock Car racing it also hosted at one time or another motorcycle racing,boxing,rifle range, football and baseball. Date of construction 1932,1933. Closed in 1983. There are stores there now. Possibly a CVS.
That’s the Freeport Stadium or Freeport Raceway which was located on Mill Road in Freeport, NY. It opened in 1933 as a 1/5 mile dirt-cinder motorcycle track but shortly added a rifle range, baseball, boxing, and football to its activities. Midget car racing and stock car racing also took place there. It closed in 1983 and a BJ’s Wholesale Club now occupies the site.
1933 to 1983 Freeport Staduim was the coolest car thing going on Long Island midsgets stocks and motorcycles raced there. In the police boys club we would go there on Tuesday nights and sit just past turn two near those houses. Some locals would sit on the shed and garage roofs to watch.
Unfortunately it was torn down and a BJs chines goods sore was put up
That’s Freeport stadium
I believe thats Freeport Stadium. Opened in the early 1930’s, closed in the early 1980’s. The site is now occupied by industrial and retail buildings.
I grew up in Merrick, so we heard the Freeport races from our house every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. We attended some of the races as well. I saw stock cars, modifieds, and of course they always ended with a demolition derby.