Portland Speedway’s History Honored in New Book

Feb. 12, 2014 - PRLog -- Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Sports series launches its next book, Portland Speedway by author Jeff Zurschmeide. This new pictorial sports history boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of the former speedway in Portland.

Portland Speedway, also known as Union Avenue Speedway, opened in the summer of 1936 and enjoyed a 66-year run as the leading oval track in Portland. This new history book highlights images throughout the tracks history, such as the original dirt track on a farmer’s field in the far north of the city and images of first roadsters based on Ford’s Model T, sprint cars and stock cars that raced on the track.  The book also features the story of how as returning servicemen discovered a love for racing, the track exploded in popularity after World War II and was paved in 1946. Portland Speedway can be seen at its heyday in vintage images, especially in extensive photography from the 1940s and 50s, when the track flourished as a center for racing. Also included are images of notable racers, such as Len Sutton, Rolla Vollstedt, Greg Biffle and Mike Bliss.

But the real story of Portland Speedway is told in the hundreds of people who made a living or simply enjoyed the racing life while competing at the Pacific Northwest’s finest track. In Portland Speedway, author Jeff Zurschmeide includes personal reminiscences about Portland Speedway from the people who were instrumental in building and expanding the track.  Zurschmeide writes, “The history of Portland Speedway mirrors the history of Portland itself, and it is a story that deserves to be remembered.”

Highlights of Portland Speedway include:

•Vintage images that feature the car owners, builders and mechanics, as well as the drivers.
•Maps and aerial photos showing the evolution of the track.
•Photos of race fans and modern pro series, such as the NASCAR K& N series.
•Information on big events in Portland history such as the Vanport Flood in 1948.
•A first-person interview with the final manager of Portland Speedway about why the track closed.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com/.