Auto Racing in Zilwaukee MI Zilwaukee Speedway

Info Updates:

10/27/2021 - Buzz Sodeman

Do any of you diehard Zilwaukee speedway know what happened to Buck Malone, Dewey Rathmond and any of the other "hot shoes" that raced there? Any action photos or any other photos that are not posted already? Are the previous owners still alive or does anyone remember my father who did work for them later in life?

1/8/2014 - Virgil Houle

I SOLD POPCORN PEANUTS AND CRACKERJACKS IN THE STANDS AT 10 PER MAKING 01 FOR MY TAKE. MY FATHER WORKED ON A CREW AND DROVE A FEW TIMES. REMEMBER THE NIGHT THEY WOULD THROW PENNEYS ON THE TRACK AND RUN A RACE. AFTER THEY WOULD LET THE KIDS RUN OUT ON THE TRACK AND COLLECT WHAT THEY COULD FIND. MUCH FUN FOR ALL.

3/6/2012 - April Meehleder

Hi Friends and Family, This is April C Meehleder. I grew up around “the track” with my grandfather and grandma (Jack and Dort) John and Dorothy Meehleder and a gang of cousins, aunts, uncles, mom, dad, sister and other members of the pit crew. I was a kid at the time, but I have fond memories of the days of racing. This is pretty cool site to find. I hope everyone who is around is well. I am grateful for such wild and loving roots. I know the green and checkered flags are still fly high at other locations! I was not born to actually see a race at the Zilwaukee Speedway, but can image my grandfather and grandmother had some good times!.

4/3/2011 - Dennis Louchart

I remember the track so well. My brother Paul Louchart raced there and my family would go see him race. One memorable night, something broke in Paul's car while a caution was out. All Paul could do was run in small circles at one end of the track until the green flag dropped again. As a small kid I thought it was hilarious! The track announcer called him the merry-go-round man.

7/19/2009 - Buzz Sodeman

Does anyone know what happened to the flagman, Leo Owen, he was related to me?

2/17/2009 - Jessica Chasnis-Pittman

My grandfather was John Chasnis. He passed away 2 years ago. I am in the process of scanning photos of him racing you are interested in them for this site. I believe most of the pictures were taken at Zilwalkee

8/14/2008 - josh

I know this is kinda of the subject of Zilwaukee Speedway. But a friend of mine who lives on Edison in Zilwaukii says they used to have all kinds of drag racing on Edison a few years ago, until someone complained. Can someone tell me if this is true.

3/1/2008 - Buzz Sodeman

It's really great to see this site as I'm sitting out in the middle of the desert in Pahrump, NV but I remember going to the track as a youngster. One of my dad's cousins was the flagman, Leo Owen, when it was not uncommon to have the flagman start the race from the track and then run and dive over the retaining wall. The track was always referred to as the "High Banks" and it was always a thrill when a car exited the track and it would take forever for them to return to the track.

I also remember that on an occasion, a race driver would head out to Zilwaukee in his racecar for some liquid refreshment and then return.

I saw my first demolition derby at Zilwaukee as they experienced different formats including all the lights out at the track and the cars had to have operating headlights - last car with the headlights still intact and on was the winner.

I remember Buck Malone and Dewey Rethman battling it out each and every race and I remember the powder puff races.

Out here in the southwest they have no idea what an Australian pursuit is. The 1/4 dirt oval here in Pahrump closed after last season after 22 years of racing action. I have had the opportunity to cover racing here in the Southwest since 1993, in fact, I have just written a book entitled, "Doi' It in the Dirt - Southwest Style" which chronicles the first three seasons of the Mohave Valley Raceway in Arizona and the last two seasons of Pahrump. Also included are races at Canyon Raceway (outside Phoenix), the Boone Super Nationals (Ames, IA) and the Duel in the Desert (Las Vegas).

5/1/2007 - Dick Coughlin

The Maybe bank shot is actually the grandstand area and the round anyones guess building was the mens bathroom. They also used to keep the auxiliary ambulance, A red 57 Plymouth wagon with one red light in the center of the grill parked next to it. Gosh I miss that place. You used to be able to stop at the Standard gas station at Court and Fayette to get a pass on a pink card to get in even cheaper. Wow, Those were the days.

5/1/2007 - Dick Coughlin

The speedway ambulance was manned by the Shea Funeral home. They had an old Packard rig and then bought a new dark Green 57 Caddy with one red Light on top. The 1st rig could have been a Fraiser. I went every Wed night for $0.35. If you rolled over you became a member of the Upside Down Club. The Johncock brothers also ran at the track.

4/9/2005 - Bob Bess

, Bob Letson and Hot Sox McCluskey were regular top notch drivers at the Zilwaukee track.

2/7/2005 - Sara Sykes

My great grandfather John Meehleder and his brother were part owners of this race track also. My grandfather worked at the track and my aunts and uncles were often there to watch the races.

8/7/2003 - Jerry Gosen

My dad (Buck Gosen) was part owner and did the buldozing on the track. The track was a 1/5 mile banked dirt track that operated from 1956 through 1958. Such drivers as Cy Fairchild, Johnny Roberts, Duey Rethmond, John Chasnis and many other greats ran there every week. They ran on Wednesdays and Saturdays and usually packed the place.

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Zilwaukee Speedway - Zilwaukee MI