Marchbanks Speedway, former auto race track
Marchbanks Speedway was a motorsport racing track near Hanford, California that featured various racing formats on a complex layout with paved oval, dirt oval, and an infield lake for boat races. The track stretched about 1.4 miles long with high banking and varying surfaces that accommodated different types of drivers and vehicles.
The speedway was built around 1950 by farmer B.L. Marchbanks on farmland southeast of Hanford and evolved from a simple dirt oval into a NASCAR-sanctioned asphalt tri-oval. Over about 20 years it became a recognized racing center in California before being demolished in the 1980s.
The speedway served as a gathering place where the local community experienced the thrill of motorsport racing on weekends and followed the action with enthusiasm. Events drew spectators from surrounding towns and created a sense of pride and connection for the region around Hanford.
The original speedway site today sits in a quiet, undeveloped area southeast of Hanford near Highway 43 where fragments of asphalt can still be found. Visitors interested in the history can explore the area, though there are no remaining structures or marked facilities on the grounds.
The speedway was one of the first officially NASCAR-sanctioned high-banked paved tracks in California and offered an uncommon mix of racing formats in a single location. An infield lake allowed for boat racing events, which set it apart from typical racing venues and added to its versatility.
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