Meadowdale International Raceway is located within Raceway Woods near the corners of Route 31 and Huntley Road on the far Northwest Corner of Carpentersville, Illinois.
Meadowdale Raceway was a 3.27 mile road course racetrack which opened for its first race on September 14, 1958. It is interesting that only six months elapsed from the time construction permits were issued until the running of the first race.
Meadowdale Raceway was the dream of Leonard W. Besinger who was a developer of commercial and residential properties in Carpentersville. His vision was to make the track a destination in the national racing community thereby bringing people to the area to live, work and relax.
The majority of the asphalt from the track still remains. Additionally, there is a Silo which once displayed the Pure Oil logo. The Silo which was on the verge of demolition has recently and thankfully been saved and completely restored. It stands at the Route 31 entrance as a notable symbol as to what once was.
Unfortunately all buildings that were on the track course have been removed. However, in addition to the Silo, there is one steel structure that was an overpass across the track allowing pedestrian access to the infield. Also surviving is a tunnel which provided car access to the pits and the infield.
Meadowdale International Raceways was home to many events: including United States Auto Club (USAC) Races, Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Divisional and National Races, Midwestern Council Car Club Races, American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Races, Kart, and Snowmobile Races as well. In the mid 60s Meadowdale was home to the National Police Driving School.
Meadowdale Raceways saw the early years of many a Car, Driver and/or Race Team. Notables in the racing community include; Carl Haas, Roger Penske, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Lance Reventlow, Augie Pabst, Harry Heuer and the Famous and Historic Scarabs of the Meister Brauser Racing Team; Fred Lorenzen – first NASCAR driver to win $100,000 in a year; Mark Donahue, Sam Posey, Peter Revson, Jim Jeffords and the Nickey Chevrolet Racing Team, Roger Ward, Lloyd Ruby, Curtis Turner and Ricardo Rodriguez, Tony DeLorenzo, Tony Adamawicz among others.
Racers at Meadowdale inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America include: Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Roger Penske, Carl Haas, Fred Lorenzen, Peter Revson, Curtis Turner, Lloyd Ruby, Paul Goldsmith, Gary Nixon, and George Follmer.
Recently we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Raceway. It was inspiring to find that Meadowdale holds such a place of import in the hearts and memories of so many. There were drivers, crew and workers from the days of the track in attendance. Many dug out old trophies, programs, photos and most of all long since filed away memories of a special time.
Since the celebration in September the Meadowdale Homestead website has had more visitors than there has been in all the years since it has been in existence. Additionally, MIRPA continues to receive a steady stream of inquiries as well as donations of archival photos and news articles.
Meadowdale International Raceways only operated from September 1958 until 1968. Attempts to continue the racing after that time failed. The track sat quitet until early 2000 when the property was purchased by the Kane County Forest Preserve, the Dundee Township and Dundee Park District.
It is the goal of the Meadowdale International Raceways Preservation Association to promote and preserve the history of the track. Meadowdale Raceways is the only intact “ghost track” in the United States, clean-up by volunteers has resulted in keeping invasive destructive foliage at bay. The Racetrack is used by a large number of hikers and history seekers at this time.
It is the vision of MIRPA to continue to promote and educate the local, state and national community on the importance of Meadowdale International Raceways. Meadowdale was a destination spot fifty years ago and still is today. Meadowdale Raceways brought people to live and work in the area, allowed people a place to relax, recreate, and share stories and memories.
We hope to offer a glimpse to the past. As more than one person has mentioned as you walk what remains of the track “you can still hear the race cars roaring in the distance.” If you turn around will you see them coming? Only in the memories and history that is preserved and shared.
MEADOWDALE INTERNATIONAL RACEWAYS PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION
Leonard Besinger III . Linda Daro . Don Devine . Ronnie Kaplan – Tom Stephani
300 JANDUS #109
CARY, IL 60013
847-421-2891
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