The Norwood Arena, a long dead quarter-mile oval track loacted in Norwood, Massachusetts, was for decades considered one of the top short oval tracks in America. Originally the facility was built to host greyhound dog racing, but the state failed to legalize gambling, so in 1948 the track started hosting midget races that, over time, evolved into stock car and modified contests. The track website is awesome and hosts a section where photos of many old school drivers are featured. It is an awesome window into the ranks of amateur and semi-professional racing in the 1950s and 1960s.
The track birthed the careers of Pete Hamilton and tragically that of Don McTavish who was killed in one of the most gruesome televised NASCAR wrecks of all time at the 1969 Permatex 300. If you have a weak stomach, do not click on the link.
Back to happier things, the track, best known for the oval, also had an 1/8-mile drag strip that became the site of “New England Dragway South” for one shining season in 1968. Neighbors complained about the noise from the dragsters and track management made the decision to host a jet car race at the end of the season. Needless to say, the townspeople were not too excited about that and the drag strip was done.
If you want to see the most awesome collection of amateur stock car racing photos from the 1950s and 1960s you’ve ever seen, hit the link below. This stuff is truly cool.
Source — NorwoodArena.com — Cars and Drivers of Norwood Arena
