And for decades, Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, Mass., was exactly that. He started his interest in racing with Leo Matte at Riverside Park with the likes of George Lombardo, Ed Patnode and Labbee Brothers Racing. Again, thank you for your professionalism and management of K1 Speed in Sacramento. History By Decade Riverside Park Speedway ("The Park") was built in 1948. [1] In 2000 when the park re-opened as Six Flags New England, the race track was demolished and the DC Universe themed area (including the roller coaster Superman The Ride) was built in its place. Park owner Edward J. Carroll demolished the dance hall that had burned down that year and in its place rose a 1/5 mile nearly flat paved oval track. I had my own groove, right on the bottom. When Riverside closed, Eddy Carroll III, the founders grandson, owned four consecutive pro stock championships. That was when midgets raced seven nights a week in New England. Photo courtesy of John Mahoney, USAC. Glossary Tweet. Six of the eight people inducted Sunday into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame's class of 2012 had some sort of ties. Ruggiero told a story that some knew, but others didnt, about a decision that might have changed the face of NASCAR history. It was quite a ride for Fiore, who got into ownership in 1969, when he put $300 into a car purchased by a friend. Paved Oval located in Agawam, MA: Track Status: Razed (Opened: 1948 --- Closed: 1999) TOURING SERIES & MAJOR EVENTS ; Date Sanction Six of the eight people inducted Sunday into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fames class of 2012 had some sort of ties to the old track in Agawam, which closed in 1999. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Do you remember Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam? Others inducted in the ceremony at La Renaissance were 1950s legend Moe Moneybags Gherzi, 1960s Riverside star Jerry The Springfield Rifle Humiston, Eastern Mass. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. One unforgettable element of racing at Riverside was the annual 500-lap races for cars competing as two-car teams. ", "We had what I would call one of the most successful team events at K1 Speed Austin just last night. Our staff cant stop talking about how much fun we had, and they keep asking when we are going to do it again!! He simply says the owners decided to go in a different direction, which ultimately proved to be selling out. Ten years ago. - hosted events on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, making it possible for some of Riverside Park's early stars to race in the area almost every night of the week. Meet. The great Reggie Ruggiero closed the books with 98 modified feature wins, about a quarter of his career total, leading all drivers. by KyleBrinkmannRacing in KyleBrinkmanRacing, a racer from Elkhorn, WI, Top Tips For Online Race Track Promotion The tiny, flat confines forced drivers to bump and bang their way to the front, which often triggered fisticuffs in the pit area, jammed between the backstretch and the river. A / V Equipped Rooms, Franchise Info| Partner Program|Corporate Partnerships|Fundraisers & Donations|Contact|Employees, 2023 K1Speed Inc. All rights reserved. The New England Antique Racers will host a 15-year reunion of the anniversary of the closing of the old Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, Massachusetts. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Five-time track champion Bob Polverari won the final race, after which participants started digging up pieces of the track asphalt for souvenirs. NEAR To Host Riverside Park Speedway Reunion, Candidates Named for 2024-25 IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship, Trackhouse Announces Ownership Of NC Karting Motorplex. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Birthdays, Mitvahs, Bachelor(ette), Team Building, Catered Lunches It needed help to survive. West Virginia Motor Speedway. by ScottKo in Profile Tips For Users, Interest in Grassroots Racing Grows 40% in 2014 With Great Opportunities Ahead in 2015 by KyleBrinkmannRacing in KyleBrinkmanRacing, a racer from Elkhorn, WI, BMARA RACERS HELP EACH OTHER The United Stock Car Racing Club events drew 6,000-8,000 fans every Saturday night. Following the park's 1999 season, Premier Parks, Inc. made several major changes that directly affected the speedway. He was born in West Spring-field, son of the late John and Mafalda Mich-novetz and graduated from West Springfield High School Class of 1962. The 1970s were a decade of change for the facility, as physical and managerial changes were put into place that made the track what it was until its final season. Riverside Park Speedway Agawam, MA. Riverside Rides Again will feature fascinating displays dedicated to the proud history of Riverside, complete with race cars from every era, photos, videos, memorabilia and many of the people who raced there. He resided in West Springfield and Agawam all his life. It would grow to attract the Northeast's best drivers. Matt Wiernasz is an auto racing journalist and photographer himself, and has fond memories . Riverside Park in Agawam, Massachusetts began as a trolley park in 1840. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. Joys assistant was Dodge, who took over as promoter in 1982. |. The company changed its own name to Six Flags, Inc., and rebranded the park Six Flags: New England for the opening of the 2000 season. Gary worked for many years at Germano Auto Sales before owning Garys Service Center in Agawam, which he sold two years ago. The track's final reconfiguration and repaving to15 degree banking would be added in the mid 1980s. Riverside Speedway was a NASCAR short track that was inside of Riverside Fun Park in Agawam, Massachusetts. For $1.25 admission, you got to watch battles pitting Moe Moneybags Gherzi against Charland, driving a decidedly non-villainous coupe adorned with pink polka dots. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement. The first top-5 finish for the Tic-Tac Pontiac Grand Prix team pushed Moore, the 1995 Busch Grand National North Series champion, up 14 spots to 13th in the championship point battle, a mere 88 points out of the top spot.For the 2nd consecutive week Moore was unable to crack the top-10 in qualifying, this evening he was 16th fastest among the 30-car field. Gary J. Michnovetz, 65, died suddenly on Tuesday. I was never on a banked track, racing with that caliber of drivers before. Youtube Link May 16, 1983 - Agawam - A newly-constructed Riverside Park roller coaster is shown from a nearby potato Farm. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. I was doing things to the very best of my ability.. THE (Riverside) ROLLAWAY, Agawam, Massachusetts Blunk, Bill RIP 1924-2003 Oaks Park Skating Rink, Portland, Oregon Viking Roller Rink, Astoria, Oregon (1960's) . Did you miss a thrilling Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, or David Gravels Tri-City triumph? Riverside Speedway was a NASCAR short track that was inside of Riverside Fun Park in Agawam, Massachusetts . TRACK INFO UPDATE? We carry brands such as Parker, Enerpac, NoShok, Daman, Hiwin, UR Robot, Robotiq, Schunk, Rechner Sensors, SICK sensors, Weidmuller, Dixon and many more! The Park was what got me noticed everywhere. Riverside Park Speedway was built in 1948 at Riverside Park, now the site of Six Flags New England. As Riverside Park Speedway joined NASCAR to celebrate the past 50 years of auto racing in 1998, a new division was rolled out onto the Speedway. Second place finisher Chuck Bown of Portland, Ore. now drives on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series while third place finisher Dale Shaw of Center Conway, N.H. recently moved to the NASCAR Busch Series. He was part of a championship crew with Barry Kuhnel, Bill Pelley and Bob Polverari in the 80s and 90s. Riverside Park. While the focus of the auto racing world will be on Daytona Beach, Florida this weekend, there is plenty of racing heritage here in western Massachusetts. They had a BLAST! When intermission came, you hit your favorite rides, safe in the knowledge that Galon would call you back in plenty of time. Auto Racing Research Assoc. This would have been around 1984. Party Rooms and Catering Available, Adults and Teens Riverside Park Speedway | Agawam Massachusetts. The teams decision to forgo any changes paid great dividends as the Pontiac Grand Prix ran fast and consistent on long runs throughout the evening. The Carroll family sold out to the Six Flags chain in 1998, two years after Dodge departed and NASCARs Dave Deery became Riverside Parks final promoter. . by ScottKo in Profile Tips For Users, SRW Winternationals Weekend now a Qualifying race for ALL Classes! This one is Riverside Park, Agawam, Ma. The first full season of "modified" stock car racing was 1949. Despite the gathering fiscal clouds, the Dodge era at Riverside was spectacular, with Stan Greger, John Rosati and Mike Stefanik capturing track titles in the modifieds. NOTE: ANY RACE DATES POSTED ON THIS PROFILE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON WEATHER, TRACK CONDITIONS, AND MANY OTHER THINGS. We never pushed the back gate because you didnt go in through the back gate.. MattWiernasz is an auto racing journalist and photographer himself, and has fond memories of watching the races at Riverside. North Riverside Park Mall, Broadview Village Square Shopping Center, Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, St. Joseph High School, Oakbrook Center and Yorktown Center. Ruggiero had four separate stints driving Fiores No. The pit area was alongside theConnecticut River with large Grandstands being built on the hill leading from the amusement park down to the race track. Private group 6,043 Members. I think I just ran the car too hard and Im very fortunate that I didnt end up in the qualifying race. Moore and his team checked everything on the car after qualifying to ensure that nothing was wrong with the chassis setup. All rights reserved (About Us). Truex Jr. Ends 54-Race Winless Streak At Dover, WoO LMS Notes: $50,000 To Win In Wisconsin, More Than 60 Hours Of Indy Coverage On NBC Platforms, Perez Leads Red Bull One-Two In Azerbaijan. BRINKMANN RECORDS BEST BMARA FINISH OF SEASON Drivers such as Ted Tappet, Benny Germano, Jocko Maggiacomo, Jerry Humiston, Ed Flemke and Buddy Krebs were the drivers to beat throughout the 1950s. Riverside Park Speedway memories abound at . The 1998 Riverside Park Modified Champion was Jimmy Broderick, Driving the Pruchnik Motorsports #42 Modified owned By Denis Pruchnik. Later years were with Tom Rosati, Rene Charland, Bob Polverari, Reggie Ruggerio and Jerry Marquis. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. One of them was future FOX Sports broadcaster Mike Joy, who announced at Riverside while still in college. The Riverside Park track expanded every time Carroll repaved it, first to an almost-quarter with a little banking. Riverside Park Speedway Formerly Known As: Riverside Park Stadium.250 mi./0.402 km. The theory was that an entertainer doesnt pay to walk on stage, he explained. He was currently employed at Boardwalk Auto Sales in South Windsor, CT. Route 322 Detour Update. With his good history at the Sacramento Mile, his eyes are set on the May 13th race for another win. I wouldnt be surprised if you see us renting your facility in the future. For all the victories the two had together at tracks from Riverside to Florida they were also, in a sense, New England racings version of Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner. We always seemed hampered by a breakdown in communication, Fiore, of Agawam, said in his acceptance speech. (Republican file photo) Staff-Shot 20 / 28 Republican file photo Vintage photos:. Jerry Marquis and ageless Bob Polverari emerged as big winners in the 1990s, with Polverari taking five titles aboard the Bill Pelly No. Rene Charland - AKA "The Champ" - won three NASCAR national Modified titles in the 1960s. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Moore, the Busch North Series all-time Pole winner, has yet to display his qualifying expertise thus far in 1998. While the Daytona 500 took place in Florida Sunday, racing fans in western Massachusetts remembered when racing took place on a much shorter track in Agawam at the Riverside Park Speedway. When amusement park giant Six Flags took over Riverside Park in Agawam, one of the first steps it took was eliminating a local icon - the famed quarter-mile speedway. by ScottKo in RacingIn News, Track Promoters Get FREE Promotion with RacingIn.com's Track Directory and Race Dates Page Riverside Park in Agawam was a gathering spot for fun as far back as the late 19th century when it was known as Riverside Grove (and Gallup's Grove before that). 77 Peros Dr., Agawam, Mass. Pennsboro Speedway. This scenario was played out Saturday evening at Riverside Park Speedway, where Kelly Moore put on a superb display of racing enroute to a 2nd place finish. 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