M-59 Speedway

Info Updates:

6/1/2019 - Randall H Field

I recall watching racing on M-59 Speedway in the early '50s while living in Drayton Plains as a young kid. I believe it was on Channel 7. In those days, we only received channels 2, 4, 7, and sometimes 9 (Windsor). I also recall Fred Wolf doing commentary for the races. In the late '50s, we had moved to Rochester (actually Avon Twp), and my grandparents had moved from Pontiac to Highland off Milford Rd. We would take M-59 through Pontiac to visit them which took us past what had been M-59 Speedway. Through the years (I'm not sure of exact dates), the wooden walls that enclosed the track and signs gradually deteriorated until it was replaced by development. Even now, when I travel along M-59 in that area, I look over to the north side of the road and picture the old speedway. That was a long time ago.

3/21/2018 - Barb Allison

I grew up in White Lake but don't remember ever attending any races here. I just stumbled across this site and am interested in everyone's comments as I have been trying to find out more information for the historical records of White Lake Twp. If you would like to share any stories or photos for our archives, you can send to whitelakehistoricalsociety@gmail. com. If you would like to donate any items, you may mail to White Lake Historical Society, 7525 Highland Road, White Lake, MI 48383. We have an annual festival in September and it would be fun to have a display. Loaned items would be appreciated as well. If I can gather enough, I could set up a display in 2018 - or 2019 if that's what it takes!.

1/7/2017 - Ron Korte

I grew up on Cranberry Lake, across from Leo's Club 59, Bob's Picnic Park and the M-59 Speedway. I went to the races one night in the early / mid 50's. My Dad and I rowed across the lake, stopped at the outside service window at Leos Bar and went to the Race Track. I was only 4 - 5 years old. I still have rolls of tickets to the Speedway and some copper mugs, personalized with customer names and numbered for drinking at the bar.

12/7/2015 - Ken Dixon

WoW This rely brings back the memories. I lived in the mobile home park, about12 homes on Cranberry lake. I would go to the races all the time. When they wernt racing I would play at the track. One day me & a friend found the concession stand was broken into we ate as much candy as poss. I worked at the concession window at the bar that was part of bobs park. In the eve I would charge people to watch there parked car. I remember the dance pavilion, juke box & dancing. I would always have a load of pop&beer bottles to cash in. The race track Bobs park& cranberry lake was a fun experience for a young boy.

12/30/2013 - Elvin Howland

To All: My dad Ephraim Howland was the original owner of the picnic park, band stand and beer garden on Mead Lake. He sold the land to the promoter who built M-59 speedway. My cousin Elmer Howland was a regular race car driver at the track. Since we sold the land for the track, our family had a life time pass to the races! When the promoter tried to build a drag strip next to the track, the neighbors squashed it. Because the promoter had spent so much money on the drag strip with no profit, he was bankrupted, which led to the demise of M-59 Speedway. Yours, Elvin Howland.

7/25/2009 - June

does anyone know the location of Bob Baily ''s Family who ran the consession stand at the m-59 speedway it was called Bob Baily''s picnic Park , him & his wife ran it .
It is now the 55 & over community mobile home Park ,where I live and we still have some residents living here , that attended the races
any info . you could send me would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
June G

7/25/2009 - June

the m-59 speedway is now a 55 & over mobil home park , it is located on M-59 & village drive , on the North side of the road, across from Dave & Amy''s Restaurant just west of Fisk Farm , hope this Helps
June G.

2/17/2009 - Donna Swan Rundell

Just a little reminder-M-59 used to go all the way out what is now Highland Rd. to M-23. That''s why I had so much trouble locating it.

2/17/2009 - Donna Swan Rundell

I noticed one of the Posters for the Speedway says it was located "three miles west of the airport". That''s a great clue! Thanks.

2/17/2009 - Donna Swan Rundell

I have an advertisement of my dad''s band playing at "Bob Bailey''s Picnic Park" at the M-59 Speedway. The ad is from about 1955 when the newspaper was The Pontiac Press. My brother and I were only nine years ole then. I remember the picnics out there and the races but I have wondered for years where the old speedway was.

1/14/2009 - Tim Kelley

Roger Haworth,

Drop me an email at tkelleypcs@chartermi.net, and I will forward the photos to you. The 010 raced mostly at Toiledo and Capitol City in Lansing, so I don''t think the website wouild want them posted on the M59 page.

1/10/2009 - Roger Haworth

For Mike kelly, can you post those pictures you have ? My son and I would really like to see them. Thank You.

3/29/2008 - Shar

This is the speedway where the trailer park/Home Depot is now. There was never a speedway at the corner of Elizabeth Lake Road and M-59, neither intersections in Waterford or White Lake Townships.

This was called Bob''s Picnic Park at Cranberry Lake before is became M-59 Speedway. My Dad, Bob Arnold and George Chapel owned car ''76 for many years and their main driver was Doc Dewey and sometimes George Moore. The Richmond Brothers (Carlton and Don) also raced and did own a garage at Elizabeth Lake Road and Union Lake Road, which is now vacant. Sad that this track is gone.

2/13/2008 - Gary Lindahl

just a quick note for anyone interested, this years racers reunion at the Toledo Speedway bar&grill is set for saturday, march 15th from noon til 6pm. all are welcome for a day of bench racing and looking at old pics, programs dvd''s etc. this is for all speedways . if you have old photo albums bring them. all you have to do is ask Tim Kelley what a great happening this is. It led to his dad Rusty''s being inducted into the hall of fame. thanks to you Tim and your family for allowing me to be a part of your special day. See Ya!

1/27/2008 - Tim Kelley

For Roger Haworth:

I have photos of Rusty in several versions of the 010, and one of them uses a paint scheme with stitches. I even have one in color, courtesy of Brian Norton. I wasn''t aware that he ran the 010 at M-59, thought it was only at Toledo. Thanks for the info.

Tim Kelley

1/27/2008 - Roger Haworth

For Tim Kelly, Did you dad also race with the number -010- ? I thought I remembered as a kid that number on his car. I do remember seeing your dads car one time when he came out with a fresh paint job and it was painted to make it look the the doors were stiched shut. I was only 7or8 then but I do remember that. When M-59 went to drag racing and changed the track, that was their down fall. I remember going to the "super Chief" at Dixixe and Telegraph for hotdogs and fries and then onto the track that night to watch the race.

Its too bad that we can''t make video or pictures of the images we have in our minds. By the way the "super Chief" is up and running in Pontiac at Walton and Telegraph. Still Make the best Foot Long and Tandems there are around. My Son and I were just there last summer.

11/13/2007 - Randy

GREAT Pictures Tim Kelly...awesome to see your dad''s car!!!

6/10/2007 - Chuck Dewey

Boy, trying to get the ol brain kick started hasn''t been easy. My uncle Dick drove for the Richmond Bros. not Richardson. They had a station near the corner of Elizabeth Lk. and Union Lk. Rds. Sorry for the confusion.

6/9/2007 - Chuck Dewey

Forgive the oversite, but I think they used to call this Bob''s Picnic Park ? ?

6/9/2007 - Chuck Dewey

Just found this site. Lived so close to the speedway as kids we could sit in the back yard and listen to them race. My uncle raced there for I believe the Richardson brothers - Dick (not Doc) Dewey. I ended up working for Joy Fair right out of high school. Sorry - don''t have any pics, but sure have a lot of good memories.

6/6/2007 - Marty Blume

Tim Kelly, PLEASE contact me asap. I have some info for you!!! You can email me at martyb@acd.net

1/30/2007 - Gary Lindahl

THIS IS FOR JOHN KEYES. JOHN,THE RACERS REUNION AT TOLEDO IS SET FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 17TH 2007 FROM NOON TO 6PM. LAST YEAR AROUND 8000 PHOTO'S ALONE WERE ON DISPLAY,PLUS PAPERS,PROGRAMS,MAGS,AND OLD RACING TAPES PLAYING. jOY FAIR,WAYNE LANDON,JIM YOUNG MIGHT BE SOME DRIVERS YOU REMEMBER WHO WERE THERE LAST YEAR. BRING YOUR STUFF TO DISPLAY. WE GET TO THE BAR AND GRILL AROUND 10:30 AM TO SET UP

2/4/2006 - Tim Kelley

Note to John Keyes: I have photos from my fathers scrapbook of your grandfathers car along with some of the others they raced with back in the late 50s. Contact me if you want copies!

9/7/2005 - Tim Kelley

My Father, Rusty Kelley raced there in the late 50s, trading paint with drivers like Joy Fair, Mickey Catlin, Johnny Wallace, and Chuck Partello, driving a fuel injected Buick built by my Grandfather, Ben Rohrer.

8/29/2005 - John Keyes

My grandfather raced here and is actually listed on one of the program covers here. His name was John Wallace, also went by Johnnie, Johnny, and Junior. He raced at Motor City, Mt. Clemens, Toledo, Flat Rock, M-59 and I am sure plenty more. I have hundreds of pictures and lots of programs, I am going to have to get some scanned and will add to your every growing collection. GREAT SITE!!!!

1/13/2004 - Steve Allen

The property is now a mobilehome park. It was torn down in the early 70's and was on the north side of M-59.

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