Floyd R                                                                                          

I first started going in the late 60's with my brothers and cousins. Bleachers by the grandstands was our usual spot. Back then campy was my favorite. Then Jimmy after Campy's injury... It was exciting to say the least between the occasional grandstand scuffle and the over the wall chants to a wet behind the ears kid in those days. And Tiny Weyer flagging the green and jumping back up on the stand...In the 70's my brother and I used to walk from downtown most of the time just to make it...And then argue about who did what to who on the walk back home. What was most interesting to me was the way the cars changed over the years from the sedans and coupes to the vegas and pintos and gremlins. But the smell of fuel and french fries still linger in my mind today.. I was lucky enough to crew on one car with milt and help out with another with his brother gene in the sportsman division in the late 70's. There will never be another place like Danbury.. I've been to Stafford a few times and the closeness that was in the pits and stands just don't seem to be there, the magic is gone. I'm fortunate to have had the honor of enjoying the easts most beautiful racing plant to quote Paul Baker...Thank you john for giving us this gift to go back and remember when and enjoy what we all took for granted.

Paul "Topper" Murphy

My story begins at Brewster, Dad was an auto machinist for Harry Harris Co on White Street in Danbury. He was Fred Foshay's first mechanic. Dad had a 37 Ford Roadster and if Freddie's # 39 could outrun dad's they were ready for Brewster. I was only around 4 years of age then, but can remember sitting in the red #39 coupe. Ray "Cowboy" Dickens and Teddy Mitchell also worked on the car. Dad built engines for Fred in the early Danbury days. The basement machine shop we had on Jefferson Ave in Danbury saw Ambrose McCarthy, Lou Funk Sr, Paul Pettit, Archie Bauer, Mike Ducanic, Dick Beckenbach, Morey Waters, Fritz Heno, Wille Beardsley, Cal Wheaton, Billy Bottge and Jim Mortimer to name some of the guys. Dad and I worked on a lot of Flatheads in those days. Every weekend was spent at the races, cheering on one of the engines. After the races it was great to go down and talk to the drivers. In Sept of 1967 I left to go into the service, Dad continued to work on engines for several of the drivers and always gave out helpful info to the young mechanics. Thanks to John Szabo we can turn back the pages of time and enjoy looking at the photos and reading the stories.

Ken

I lived just over the NY state line in Mahopac and attended the races on many occasions. The 1st time was around 1968,still the coupe era. My neighbor covered the races for a local newspaper (Reporter Dispatch) and we got to go for free. That is when I first learned about guys named Kenny Webb,Joe Campanella,Jimmy Smith,Nick Giardina,etc... The sights,smell,sounds,and atmosphere along with the memories will always be cherished.

Keith LaSalle

My dad was a crew member for the 711 and I never missed a race since 1975, but one and that was 7/13/79 Chick's 50th. I was in California with my step grandmother and I called my Mom and Dad the next day and the first words for the conversation was " Who won last night" LOL Not Hi, how are you. I still miss running to my seats when the gates opened and hanging around the same crowd for years. Danbury was not only a race track, but it was like a family reunion every saturday night. I live in Georgia and we have a few short tracks around here but nothing will ever come close the Racearena.

Billy Stebbins#77

Was I ever there? I was almost born there. My Dad, The Iron Duke, Dick Stebbins, #201, crashed on a Sat. night with my Mom in attendance, and I was born the next day. I guess thats why racing has always been in my blood. I had the priviledge of racing there for two years before they closed in the black pinto #77. Thanks for the opportunity to share this.

Harold Burdick  

I started going to Danbury as a fan in 1968 when I was five years old. Instantly I was hooked on racing and knew before going there that my hero was Chick Stockwell. Every Saturday night (but one) I was there till the end in 1981. I also met my wife Cindy at the track in 1976. During the last year of Danbury I spent a lot of time helping Sean Donnelly on his car at the shop. I knew from the start I wanted to race but I didn't turn 18 till September of 1981. At that time I knew that my dream was ending of racing at the fair but I still joined the SNYRA in 1982 with hopes that something would happen. Soon after Danbury closed I started racing gokarts. My number was 151 for many years and when my wife started racing her number was 711. In the late 80's we bought another sk mod and ran the #15 on it as I couldn't get 151 at Stafford. We had Danbury Drivers Rich Hutwohl and John Plecity behind the wheel for two seasons. Since then we have raced karts and this year we have once again bought a racecar that we race at Thompson with the #151 on it. We have been at Chick's fund raiser with it as well as being a guest at the SNYRA reunion last weekend where my car was put in front with the 151 coupe. Not sure what else you want to know other then Danbury was my home and I'm proud to say that.

Dave Blake

I started attending the races at Danbury about 1966, going with friends of the family. I attended sporadically until 1972, after which I rarely missed a week until the track closed in 1981. I raced in the Sportsman division from 1979-1981. Thank you for your time.

Kevin Brown

I started attending the races in 1967. I was born in Ossining, N.Y., so naturally I became a Joe Campanella fan right away. I attended every Sat. night from 1967 until I moved out of the area after high School in 1969. I would return to visit friends from time to time after I entered the service and always attended the races. After my discharge my wife and I returned to live in Danbury and naturally we attended whenever we could. 2 small children kept us busy. After the Racearena closed in 1981 I always hoped to find and restore a car that ran there.

In 1996 my wife said I should get a hobby. I did, restoring 3 Danbury cars from 1996-2003. I owned as many as six at one time. It got a little out of control shall we say. I've been lucky enough to become friends with many of the drivers and fans over the years. I've gotten to drive against Chick Stockwell, Don LaJoie, Rit Patchen, Jim Torok and several others at the early reunion shows. I've also had the pleasure of being a member of New England Antique Races (NEAR) and run the cars all over the northeast. The Loudon vintage show ranks as #1.

My first restoration was the Jimmy Smith # 3 that he won the 1966 Points Championship in. Through that restoration, I've met Jimmy several times and he sent me the trophy that he won that year. It is currently at the Golden Age of Trucking Museum in Middlebury on display with other Racearena memorabilia. It's been fun and there will never be another Racearena.

Joe Friscia

I began going to the Racearena in 1968 and continued going til the last checkered flew in '81.
I stared out at Billy Layda's shop painting nerf bars and rims and polishing his car, along with Billy Sunderland's 98. I finished my career at Danbury as a member of Jim Coughlin's crew. In the past, I have contributed photos to the site as well as a hand full of programs.

Frank

I started going to the Danbury Races in 1955. My Uncle, Bill Descoteaux, drove car #14. I am in the second photo of him dated May 19,1955. I am in the center of the gate in the background. I have the Black Jacket on. I went to about half of the races between 1955 and 1959. I went to all of the races from 1960 to 1971. I worked on the cars of Frank Lukos and Doc Seiler. Bob Cura was a good friend. I moved to Phoenix, AZ. In 1980. I look at the message board every day. I sure hope we can continue to enjoy it.

Dave Hamilton

I when to the races from 6 years old until I went into the pits at 13. The guys at the track thought that I was older then what I was because I was a big boy for my age. I work on Lou funk Sr. from 1970 until 1978. I then moved away. I was on the pit crew the night that Funk Jr. won and Sr. came in second. Lou Sr. Can to us on that Saturday morning and said and get the old car ready because Jr's car had a problem with the motor. So at 10 am in the morning we put a motor in the car and loaded it up. We never dream that Jr would win the race. My dad worked at the fair grounds for more than 40 years. I would come to the fair ground on the day before the fair started and would not go home until the fair was over ten days later. When I was old enough I would skip school for the ten days of the fair and work for Jack Venning at the fair. From pulling floats to loading the stone boat for the oxen. In 1969 My dad won the herdsman award for taking care of a cows in the barn. I would like to have a password so I can read and sometimes have a little input. I have watched this web sight grow over the years and think that it great to see some great shots of the fair grounds and the track. Just the past weekend I was looking at some old pictures of the grounds and found pictures of the 1980 100 lap race. I have got pictures of the parking lot and the stands full. I took the pics from 84. I was on my way back from a wedding in Boston. I still think a lot about the races and the fair. I stayed in touch with Lou Sr. until 2001 when he past away. I hope that you liked my story

Joey May

I started by sponsoring Billy Sunderland in the number 54. Billy Layda and I were part of Bill's pit crew. The following year, with help from Angelo Coladarci, I got the chance to drive the 154. This was a car I bought from Bob Ellis and completely rebuilt. Over the winter, OB Obrien put me together with Willy Beardsley and we built the first 851. The car was different and many said it wouldn't work. IT DID. Willy had not done that well in years. We were the first car to run Firestone tires, the slopey roof, the 6 spline Halibrand rear end, the big 2GC carburetor, the in the cockpit steering. The following year I built another car for Willy. In mid-season, Billy Boo, who I had met with Bill Sunderland, took over in my 154. That winter, Gene Metcalf from Southbury and I, built the 154 torsion bar sedan. The picture of those two cars with the drivers and pit crew is very dear to me. I left Danbury for the big time modifieds. I started Chassis Dynamics with Bob Cuneo and Bobby Vee. Chassis Dynamics got in the way of racing and I formed a relationship with Bob Riley( Jr), Bob Gilchrist and myself. Lots of people helped George LeBlanc, Rit Friese, Dave Auerbach, Jerry Dinnen, Joe Rozdilsky, Paul Galvin, Jamie Fillow, and more. We rebuilt the blue and blue Hayo car and with an engine from Dave A., we won 8 out of 15 feature races. We went to Daytona with a Firebird and had a 10th and a 4th. Then we went on to Winston Cup.

Floyd Reiske

My family was friends in the 50's and 60's with Morrie Waters and Paul Pettit. Al O'Dell and a few others. As a matter of fact Paul got an engine from my dad after our buick got hit by a train in the train yard in Danbury... It took that old straight 8 a few laps to get going but when it did he set sail....That was before my time though I was born in 1960. I started going to the races i guess around 67 or 68 with my older brothers and cousins...We used to sit on the top of the bleachers next to the grandstand in turn 4 I rooted for Smitty and Campy. I always wondered why the best drivers (usualy the winners) got booed so much... Well Kenny and Gino were another story.... To fast forward a bit around 1978 or 79 me and my brother Dave used to crew on Bob Mckinstry's 58 with our friend Milton...The car had an interesting past as it was at one time a mod class track champion car piloted by Don LaJoie. The book that Bob got with the car had alot of notes and setups and such... Goes to show how Don worked and wasn't afraid to make changes.... Milts brother crewed on the 33 so we used to split our time helping them as well when needed.

It was a joy to to be in the pits finally after hanging off the back of the bleachers watching... Sad to say it all ended way too soon for us all then when the track and the fair went away ... Thanks to John we can visit those memories and look, watch videos, read and kinda keep in touch with old friends and make some new ones... I don't post much i just like to pop in and read and watch videos.. On a funny note to say you never know what comes along in life. We crewed beside Tom Bressons 59 back then... In 1983 I married Tom's wife's cousin. Not knowing at the time the cousin was dating Tom.. Makes the world seem small at times... She still puts up with me for some strange reason I wish our children could have had the chance to enjoy the races and fair days that we took for granted for so long...

Evelynne Adams

We enjoyed many a Saturday night at the Danbury Racearena in the early 1960s til 1981 cheering on our favorite driver, Chick Stockwell. One of my fondest memories was attending those "Sunday Afternoon" races in early spring--? maybe 1965 or so? My uncles brought my cousins and me down to see the cars and I got to say hi to Chick and stand next to "the car"... I had my Bob Mannion racearena photos plastered all over my wall along with the Beatles. We attended the 2008 SNYRA reunion and it was great to see the turnout and appreciate all the hard work the committee put in --sure hope Chick got a good idea how much his fans still think of him! (and to all the fans still living in Danbury-- listen really carefully on any warm summer Saturday night--you'll hear the roar of those cars in the feature and look towards the southwest sky-- you might even see those floodlights crisscrossing) SNYRA forever.

Bob

I am 54 yrs old and attended the Racearena since I was just a young boy of 5. I watched the transformation from flat heads to overhead valve. Coupes (which I loved) to the pinto gremlin vega cars. I worked on Bones Stevens and Richie Hutwohls cars then ended up driving myself at Waterford and Middletown New York...

Jack Halmose

First went to the Racearena in 1970 when I was 8 yrs old. Didn't miss a race from July 1976 thru 1981. Before leaving for the track from Bridgeport on Saturday afternoons, we'd try to tune in Paul Baker's weekly radio program, sometimes audible thru the static, surprising given the distance and the AM signal. I'd spend my weekly allowance at the photo booth and have a foot-locker full of albums. As kids, we'd collect some empty (beer) cups to "pop" during intermission. Sat in the main grandstand's blue/yellow seats, 3rd section in from turn 4 with Frank Arnone's brother behind us, Corky Cookman's parents in front of us, and John Hoffman's family to my left. Favorite driver is Gino Spada.

Larry

My father worked the pit gate for a few years in the early 60's. Then he was a crew member for Don LaJoie. I also helped out on dons car for a number of years before moving on to work on Randys cars.ars.

Diane Foshay

My husband is the nephew of Flyin Fred. He attend from 1959 until they closed and work with SNYRA in serveral different areas. He worked on the cars of Billy Layda, Billy Sunderland, Scott Sasso, Rit Patchen and Uncle Fred. Did a lot of research on the book when it was first done.

I attend the races from about 1973 until they closed. I would attend with friends and family. We all sat in the seats every week. Some of the favorites were Billy Layda, Art Davis, Don LaJoie.

Joe

I attended the races from about 1970 until it closed in 1981. My greatest memories come from the times I got to spend with my Father and Mother every Saturday night. It brought us together more than anything else in my childhood. My father sponsored my cousin Bob Furano's #24 for the years he raced, and even though he never accomplished much on the track it was still a thrill to be around it.

I was a big Chick Stockwell and Kenny Webb fan, but I also just love the racing in general. I will never forget the sounds and smells of the Racearena. As many times that I have gone to other tracks to try and re-capture that time in my life, it will never be the same. I am very thankful for this site and visit it daily to keep up with what is going on. I hope that the few people that can't conform to some simple rules don't ruin it for the rest of us who really appreciate the work that goes into keeping the memories alive.

BILL FLYNN

I STARTED GOING TO THE DANBURY RACEARENA IN THE THE EARLY 60s. BEING FROM NORWALK MY FAVORITE DRIVER WAS DON LAJOIE . I ALSO LIKED JIMMY SMITH AND BOB RILEY. I CAN STILL REMEMBER THE BUBBLES IN THE GRANDSTAND I THINK IT WAS DURING INTERMISSION. MY COUSIN CHUCK FLYNN WAS ON RIT PATCHENS PIT CREW WHEN HE WON THE FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1981. I REALLY MISS THE TRACK I HAVE BEEN TO MANY OTHER TRACKS BUT DANBURY WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE. IT REALLY WAS THE NICEST TRACK I WILL EVER GO TO. THANKS FOR LETTING ME SHARE MY STORY.

Ken Barta

I started going to the track in 1958 as a 6 year old and did not miss very many nights from that point on. Some of the first race cars that I worked on ran Danbury, but I was too young to get in to the pits. I managed to get one of the prized parking passes, so we were able to hang out with the drivers after the races. I started racing at Plainville in 1974 and then started racing in the Danbury sportsman division in 1979 as part of the RosBar racing and raced there until it closed. I drove the number 3 sportsman.

Bruce Noakes

My father raced stock cars in northeast in late 40s & early 50s, also midgets at Danbury. I attended Danbury races for many years. Growing up in Woodbury, was a Stockwell fan. If you have access to the list of contributions sent to Tom Stockwell, I'm on the list.

Gerald Servidio

I first started going to the Danbury Races with my dad back in the early 70's. We attended the races regularly for 3 seasons (70, 71 & 72), then my dad got involved with a racecar over in Middletown, so I didn't get back to the Racearena until 1976, when my dad was part of Bob Furano's pit crew. Next year, my dad joined up with Nick Giardina and stayed with him until the track closed in 1981.

Rich Henchar

My wife and I just celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary and also the 50th year of being together. Where did we go on our first date? You guessed it. It was the Danbury Racearena. I was immediately bitten by the racing bug. I could no longer stand to watch I had to race myself. Of course Danbury was a closed club so I had to look elsewhere. West Haven Speedway started a novice division in 1960 . So my 50 Chevy, my daily driver, became my race car. I drove there for two years and had a lot of fun. Those were the days we got $5 tow money and that was plenty for gas and tolls from Stamford. Marriage and a new baby ended my driving career, so it was back to Danbury every Sat.night. My daughter at grandma's. We became Ernie Marshall fans. He was a smooth and patient driver and tried never to wreck anyone. We made many new friends sitting in the same seats every week. That seemed to have been a common thing in those days.

In 1963 I took a job as a mechanic at Long Ridge Chevron in Stamford. This is where I first met Mickey Spiers whose welding shop was just up the street. At that time he was working on the Al Clark 77 that was being driven by Bob Riley Sr. He asked if I would like to help on the car. I jumped at the chance. I will never forget the night we were standing on the back of the rack body truck parked between turns 3 and 4 when someone hit the fence and a piece of mag wheel went whizzing by my head. Needless to say we parked in a different place after that.

When Ernie Marshall left Danbury he sold the 56 to Mickey Spiers. Bob Barker was kind enough to let us use his number 109 that year. With Andy Montanari behind the wheel a 5th place finish in the points and a thrilling victory over Smith and LaJoie in the Conrad Memorial race capped off a great year.

The next year we built the 34 coupe. This time it carried the #155. This was one of nicest looking cars to ever grace the pavement of the Racearena. Unfortunately, we blew that famous Joe Virag motor the first night out. The rest of that season was a struggle. I left that year to follow Ernie and the dirt modified circuit.

I am retired and living in Port Orange Fla.(just south of Daytona Beach) I was able to attend the reunion 3 years ago and hope get there again. Best to the Woodbury farmer, he'll come out on top. He always did. 

Rich Henchar-Spier's Welding 109&55. The man with the white cowboy hat.

mom151

My Dad started taking me probably around 1958-19... I was about 6-7. He knew Chick and Cal Wheaton, so after we came in the main gate we would wait for them by the 1st turn track entrance, then talk for a minute, and I would get something or other autographed (every time!). Some nights we would see them again after the races were over, in the parking lot...depended on how tired I was :- ) At some point or other, Dad took me to both of their houses... I have a memory of a small dirt track at Chick's, where he and/or his kids ran around with one of his many cars. I'm thinking there were like 8 cars day I was there???

After my parents divorced, didn't get to go much as Dad was hardly ever around, and Mom just wasn't into racing. But then a friend of my Mom's used to babysit me sometimes, and a friend of the family's used to take her 3 kid... So I got to go too when I was there on weekends. Darn CRS, can't remember his name, nice old guy.... Dave M... was it Walt??

Teenage years, went with my friends... They'd be behind the grandstand hanging out, I'd be up in the grandstand watching the races... LOL, I remember getting razed for that, a lot!

Started taking my own kids when they were each about 2... While they loved it, without fail they would fall asleep on blankets spread out on the benches during intermission, and sleep right through the feature... Which I always found amazing, what with the roar of all those cars! We sat at the top of the little bleacher section on the fourth turn, the one you walked under... lots of the same folks there every week, but the ones that stand out in my memory were a great couple named Bob & Mary, and their son Mark... Hmm... Wonder where that kid is nowadays???? 

Tried to get to every race but due to Real Life, had to miss some here & there (darn sister-in-law just HAD to have a Saturday night wedding!). We were there for Chick's 50th (thank goodness!), for the "pass-in-the-grass" (anyone remember that?), when Ted Abbott died (still find that even sadder than when DE crashed at Daytona)... We even spent our wedding night there... Got married Saturday afternoon in Greenwich, drove up and got there in time for the first heat!

2nd saddest night was the last one... Don't want to go there, even now. Best thing I can say is that one of our nephews was born just a few hours after the final checkered flag fell....

Brian McManus 

I started going to the races when I was 5 years old. I saw Flyin Freddie in the blue 39 coupe. Since that day I was hooked. I saw great racing and crazy accidents. I will never forget when Bo Gunning almost went through the frontstrech fence. He got out of his car and threw his helmet at it.

"old guy"

I began going to the fairgrounds before I could walk (according to my parents, I went to Thompson in 1951 when I was a couple of weeks old for the opener - I can't really remember!

I was born in Norwalk and grew up around there, so it's natural a lot of my life centered around the racearena - every Saturday night, in fact, until I moved to PA in the late 70's while I was still running a car there- in fact, until I got going at Wall and New Egypt on Wed. nights in my car, and at Grandview in a dirt car, my wife and I towed back and forth for a year or so.

I saw the midgets, the flathead era and the change to the overheads and the first Troyers and CD cars come in, and I ran against them, with results that left a lot to be desired since I was young and newly married, the $$ just weren't there.

I grew up and knew Rich Hennessy, Jerry Willets, Patchen and the LaJoie's and Smitty, along with Jake Veilleaux and counted them all (and still do as friends. Others are gone now, and I miss seeing every one of them). I was lucky enough to drive for Mike Genestra when I moved back to CT a of years ago, and still see faces and friends at the races today.

Jim R

I first went in 1966 when I was just a kid. Friends of my parents were big fans and we all went one night. As soon as those first cars came on the track I was hooked!! The sights, the sounds, the smells. I'll never forget it. I pestered my parents every Saturday after that to take me. Once I got my drivers license I was there every week. Sat in the same place every week, just off turn four about 7 rows up. Cheering on LaJoie! What a place. There will never be another like it.

Kevin D

I have been following the Danbury Racearena since 1965 right up to its closing in 1981. My most favorite driver is Chick Stockwell 151 I've been to his house two times. One was for the fund raiser. My other favorite drivers are Kenny Webb, Don LaJoie, Jimmy Smith, Ev Pierce and George Rzeszutek. I knew Len Flecher Sr a "pinkerton" police officer and his son driver Lenny Fletcher Jr. I worked for Johnny Lane who drove the fair auto 73 in the early 1970's. I always enjoyed reading the message board on the latest news on the drivers and car owners. I have many Danbury pictures and Racearena Reviews. Bought many collectibles from the Ed White stand including the Speedway News.

Tommy

I have been going to the Racearena since 1965 and have only missed one Saturday night race up until the time it closed. Through the years I have been friendly with several drivers and crew members. I have also attended every reunion to date and Chick's fundraiser at Tommy's house. I have never posted any messages on a message board before but have always enjoyed reading the stories. 

Dave Wirtes

I attended The Racearena from 1968-1974 when my parents moved our family to Florida. Was a loud supporter of Jimmy Smith, Willie Beardsley, Ev Pierce and Billy Sunderland. My dad (Georgie Wirtes) helped Jimmy Mortimer. My Uncle Steve Wirtes helped Al O'Dell and others. We were great friends with John Godfrey and Benny Richichi and others. Been to the Racearena reunions several times, mostly to visit with good friends Millie Godfrey and Kevin Brown. I contributed money to help start the display at the trucking museum. And I own a collection of vintage modifieds now.

Bob Tulipani

My first visit to "The Races" was with my Uncle Roy (BeBe Gilotti). Oh what a exciting night! The noise! The crowd! The smell of everything. Parking, to the rush through the gates. I don't know if I have ever had more of a overload to my senses than the first time to the Racearena. Rushing but not running up to the opening between the Main grandstand and the stands in the 1st turn to see the cars fly by. I think the cars were just starting the warn ups.They held us there until that warm up ended. We found some seats in the main grandstands. I had no idea of what to expect. I don't know what year it was 64 or 65 but, Hugh "Tiny" Weir (SP?) was the flag man. He started the races from the track! I don't remember much but I do remember Chick Stockwell from that night. I didn't continue going to the races, only a couple of times after that until I caught "The Bug" as we call it. I was 16 hanging around Ridgefield town center on a Saturday night. One of my Buddies drove up and asked if I heard that Johnny Pambanchi and Jimmy Learys Car finished 3rd in the Feature at The Races. I had not. I didn't even know either one of them at the time or where they kept the Stockcar. The following Monday my friend took me to the garage and that was my first close up look at a Stockcar. It was up on Jackstands all the tires were off and they were doing something with the brakes. Switching to Buick drum brakes because the brake where fading when they got hot. I didn't start working on the car but I interested. It was at the end of that season that Jim and John parted and went their separate ways. Jim wanted to drive but had to become a member of the club. There was a screening process he had to go through. But they did let him in. Jim went to Waterford to run the car after the season ended at Danbury. He wrecked that car that day. So we spent the time from then till April building the 36 or 37- 5 window coupe. That was the car Chick drove a couple of times almost winning 2 Features starting at the rear both times by way of the consi. We built a 38 Chevy coupe with all the tricks of the day. Then we bought one the first Manard Troyer chassis at Danbury it was only the 6th or 7th car that he had sold at that piont. We put together a pinto body with coil over rear suspension that Troyer hadn't done with his cars. I spent more than 10 years with Jim and at The Racearena. building, straightening or celebrating , something associated with racing. 

Joey May

I moved on more than once. The midgets in ARDC with Willie Beardsley. The dirt modified with Kenny Shoemaker. The end with Bob Riley with the Danbury car, the Firebird modified, and the Grand National #60. I do work at the Barden Corp. and once in awhile go up on the roof. We always say we can still hear the cars and see the people lining up back to I-84 waiting to get into the parking lots.

Jeff

I first started to " go to the races" in 1957. It soon turned into the thing we did on Saturday nights. In the early 60s we sat in the stands by the pits so that we could watch all the work that was being done on the cars. We soon moved to the main grandstand and sat with the same people for years, and became good friends. Any time there was a race or practice we were there. It was a sad day when the track was sold. I remember going to the track with my kids to see the best track in the east being plowed under for another mall.

Bill

I went to Danbury with my dad back in the late 60's and early 70's. I remember sitting in turn one and the smell of the french fries. The most striking thing about Danbury was the super size huge American flag that was displayed in the infield and the great respect given. I have been to numerous tracks over the years but never have seen another flag like that and the way it was treated. I always compared all the places I went to with Danbury, and none ever compared. The family feel, the large characters that surrounded the track and the spotlights. Best of all was the way the cars, drivers and crews were in the paddock area to meet and greet everyone, I always stayed till the lights the track turned on and blinded us that it was time to go home. Saturday night would not be Saturday in the summer without the weekly trip to Danbury. At one point I had all my ticket stubs but when I got married and move on my mom threw them all out.

Today, I own the Pinto 12 that was last driven by Ollie Wells. The car has a history of being driven before that as the 30 by Willie Beardsley. Several pictures appear in the photo albums you have posted on this wonder web site. I showed the car in 2007 at the reunion but was unable to attend due to a serious medical setback this year. I am also a member of NEAR. 

ED

I first started going to races in 1960 the year I moved from Stamford to Ridgefield. Friends of my parents lived in Ridgefield and they took their kids every Saturday night and brought me with them one night I was 10 years old at the time and continued to go every Saturday night till they closed the track down. In 1970 we moved back to Stamford and I found a few friends who drove up every Saturday with me and they were hooked . MY favorite driver when I first started going was Ernie Marshall my dad was a member of a rifle club in Pound Ridge and on Sundays when we went to the club I’d walk over to Ernie’s garage and they would show us the car. When I got married in 1976 my wife started going with me every Saturday and she enjoyed the races just as much as I did. She was a Billy Layda fan and you could always find us with our group of friends sitting in the front row on the fourth turn. In all the years I went to the Danbury racearena I never missed more than two weeks in a season.

Dave Thody

Unfortunately the Racearena closed before I was born. I have been a race fan all my life practically. I started attending with my dad when I was young. As soon as I was 16, I worked on car during the final season at Riverside Park then moving on to Monadnock the following season. I also volunteered for Ted Marsh's busch team helping them at the shop and at the races sometimes. Later on I got a job working for Billy the Kid as and engine assembly man for almost four years. Working alot with modifieds I became very interested in the old Pintos and Coupe bodied cars and alot of the local history. Also hearing alot of stories from my grandfather that used to run around helping Moon Burgess. So I dove in head first to antique modifieds, buying Rick Samuleson's #33 Sportsman Modified which is scattered across my garage in the process of restoration.

Delene

My name is Delene Eickmeyer and I am the daughter of Paul Hammond from Norwalk, CT. He was a Danbury Race Arena car owner and car builder of the car #73. Ever since I can remember going to the garage and watching my dad build his cars. When I got older it was a ritual to go go-kart racing then rush home and get ready to go to the races. I would get picked up and we would have to stop at McDonalds on Rt. 7 to get some food for the ride. While there we would watch outside to see the racecars being hauled up to the track. That started all the butterflies in our stomachs. Getting to the track and racing in when they opened the gates was CRAZY!! We had to have the same seats every time. God forbid if someone took our seats. I attended the races since I believe I was 5 years of age and went faithfully full time when I turned 10 years of age right up until they closed. It was my dream to be the first girl to race there. I currently own my father's original 1934 3 window ford coupe that actually raced at the track. One of the few original cars left. 

We attend many car shows all around and I can't think of a show that no one knew about the Danbury Race Arena. I have heard many story's from many different people how the race arena changed their lives.

The memories will live on...

Brian

I first started going to the Racearena with my dad in 1966/1967, I was 6/7 years old at the time. First race I was at I remember a car getting flipped on it's side with fluid running down the track up by turns 3 and 4. [don't know who it was] but that was the match that lit the fire for my interest in racing. Dad was a Chick Stockwell fan so I followed with him, I remember going to Chicks shop/farm when I was about 11 years old, on the way over I had all kinds of questions for him but once we got there I was so nervous because I was with the guy that was like a hero to a little kid, what a time. We would get to the gates real early and when they opened my buddy and I raced to our seats in the first turn up the stairs where Barney the guard would be second row all the way to the right if you are facing the stands. The best night for me was when Chick scored his 50th and the way he charged to the front that race, I was in the pits helping Sean Donnelly and when the race finished he and I flew to the start finish line and took it in, WOW! I still get sick when I go by the old fairgrounds and see the mall. 

Phil S.

My first time at Danbury was on a 1965 Sunday afternoon show the only reason we went was because West Haven Speedway was rained out the night before then I was hooked after that. Worked on or built many cars thru the 70's and 80's with Doug Marshal #43,#76 and #71. There are just to many drivers to name. Was also the owner of the #43 sportsman that my brother drove for me. 
Thanks for the good times.

John Buckley

I started going to the Danbury Racearena as a child, I am told I attended at the age of about 1 year old. A yearly trip to the Danbury fair with my grandparents was also a big part of my childhood. In the early 70's the races became an every Saturday night affair for our family. My parents and a large group of their friends went virtually every Saturday Night. We were all there to cheer for Tommy Genise, but my brother and I were also secretly Kenny Webb fans. As we got older and were able to drive ourselves to the races, we all still attended as often as possible, up until the closing in 1981. I recall attending a wedding of one of our good family friends, and ending up at the Danbury races, with the entire wedding party afterward. (I think we missed a couple of the heats, but it is all kind of hazy.) Tommy passed away this past year after a long illness, and at his memorial ceremony, his children, and many of our other friends got to get together.

We talked about how important the Danbury races had been to us when we were growing up. We spent a couple of hours reminiscing and even the rough nights, seemed like a lot of fun now. If we could only turn back time.....

I have only been to the new "mall," once, I just don't really have much use for it. 

Karl Stark

I was 7 years old in 1953, the year I saw my first race at Danbury. I grew up in Wilton and my father worked with a friend who knew Larry Sanna, owner/ driver of the #111, a blue and white 1937 Ford coupe. I would wait to catch a glimpse of it coming out of the dust cloud that was generated by the cars speeding around what was a dirt track at the time. I was completely overtaken by the sights ,the sounds and even the smells of stock car racing for the first time in my life and have never really been able to get over it to this day. Although I never was able to go to the races on a regular basis like so many of my friends that I've come to know, we all seem to share a common bond. Going to that first race was probably one of the most exciting experiences in my young life and has brought me many wonderful memories and allowed me to meet and make many new friends over the years. I am fortunate to consider myself a part of a family that will never forget what the races at Danbury meant to so many people over the years.
Karl Stark,
Charlottesville Va.

Ken Brown

I started attending the races at the racearena in the early 60's. For many years I sat in the stands with my young kids. After moving to Brookfield in 1966, I discovered that my next-door neighbor ,Clyde Treadwell, worked at the races saturday nights selling tickets, and after the box offices closed he would go to the office and make up the race purses for the night. One time I asked him how you got to sit in the box seats in front of the announcers booth and he told me to come to his ticket window and he would give me a note for "Fletch" to let me and my family sit there, if Mr. Leahy was not using them that night. It was great sitting in those box seats for a couple of years, but one night my oldest son came home and told me that Jack Elsey was going to build a racecar and needed some help. He asked me if I would help him and be in his pit crew. That ended my nights of sitting in the stands with my family and started me on a great association with the SNYRA. I spent about ten years with Jack and spent most of it rebuilding the car after he wrecked it every week. When Jack decided to quit racing, my son came home and told me that Richie Hutwohl was going to build a sportsman car to race in the new division that was starting. He said Richie needed a pit crew and would I help him. I did and finally had a lot of fun working with a driver that made the "feature race" every week and even got my picture taken in "victory lane" with the checkered flag. Over the years I made many friends in the SNYRA and many many wonderful memories.
Ken Brown
Brookfield, Ct.

Mary Ellen Tarrant

I attended the Danbury Races from the 60's till the closing in 1981. My earliest memories are of Sunday afternoons sitting in the front row and being barely tall enough to see the cars. My Dad changed our seats sometime in the 70's. Every Saturday night we sat in the blue and yellow seats about halfway up and about 5 rows from the break. My Dad had to have his aisle seat-- Clark, a kid from Bethel used to take our blanket and run for the seats. My favorite driver growing up was Chick Stockwell. I remember as a little girl getting his autograph and you would have thought I had just met Mickey Mantle. WHAT A THRILL. In the late 70's one of Clarks friends started buying me photos of Chick. My mom said he liked me. I told her she was crazy. I married him in 1982. I always remained a Chick fan but also a Patchen fan. My Dad loved Kenny Webb and Jimmy Smith. My Mom was there to eat her hershey candy bars. My brother Kevin was there to see the races and heckle the starters. Great memories that I am sorry my children did not get to experience--thanks for the website--

Louie Pascuzzi

I spent many Saturday nights at the Racearena. I am a signpainter by trade and got started by lettering race cars at the fair. My first customers were Randy Saunders and John Pasquence. Lately I've lettered Mike Flanagan's 151 coupe, Dan Evons Pinto and I did the Corky Cookman car when it was owned by Joe Friscia. Thanks for all your hard work on the site. It's greatly appreciated.

Rick Iannucci 

When I was little, Probably 6-10 years old, I used to go to the track with my Grandfather Pete Nebor. He was Lou's Brother in law. We used to just call him uncle Louie. I remember going into the pits with them before the race and then going into the stands to watch the races. That was a great time. After he stopped racing he made his 09 into the street rod everyone seems to know. I begged him for that car for years. When I lived in Atlanta, Ga. He finally brought me the car. I gave him $4500 for it just to cover his expenses on it. I drove that car proudly and can't tell you how many times I would tell people of him when they asked me where the car came from. It did get allot of attention. I eventually moved a few times towing the car with me until I ended up in Md. I had the car sitting in my garage for a few years when my wife convinced me to try to sell it. That's when I came across this website and learned on the message board how much Uncle Louie was loved by people up there. When people found out where the car was, I was flooded with emails from people asking about the car and if I was selling it. I finally gave in and sold to a guy up there named Jack Halmose. As far as I know he was fixing it up some and was going to take it to the reunions. I miss that car and wish I never sold it. No offense Jack! I do hope to get up there to the picnic and see the car again. I also would love to bring my grandfather up there too. He is getting older now and I no that was a time that he loved, Just as we all did.

Mark Pasiak

I WENT TO THE RACEARENA STARTING IN 1966 TIL IT'S DEMISE AND MISS IT TO THIS DAY. ON SATURDAY I WOULD GO WITH MY FATHER AND IF HE DIDN'T GO I WOULD GO WITH THE NEIGHBORS. WELL ONE SATURDAY MY DAD SAID WE CAN GO, BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE CHANGED HIS MIND. SO I WENT TO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE, BUT THEY ALREADY LEFT, SO I HOPPED ON MY BIKE AND RODE TO THE TRACK, BY THE WAY I LIVE IN NORWALK. IT TOOK ME 2 HOURS TO GET THERE WITH TIME TO SPARE. I KNEW ALOT OF PEOPLE UP THERE SO GETTING A RIDE HOME WAS NOT A PROBLEM. THAT'S HOW DEDICATED I AM TO THAT PLACE.

Rick Andrews

Danbury fan starting in 1968 (when I was 10). My family was friends with Chick and I went to almost all of the races from 1969 on. Even met my wife there.

Jim Joy

I grew up at going to the Fairgrounds. My father was a big Midget fan so my first memory was these beauties flying around.. My memory was sitting there most of the afternoon with the other die hards waiting for the gate to open and the mad dash to "our" seats. Then settling back in as the cars rolled past us on the way to the pits.. Each greeted with cheer or boos depending on the driver. The huge crowd around the Mannion booth waiting for their turn to get a picture of their heroes. Danbury might not have been as high tech in terms of car development but was light years ahead in fan support. As I got older the chance to travel to other tracks showed me this. A frame front ends and overheads were something the other places did. But the loyal fans of the Racearena will always hold a special place in my heart.......

Joseph Chimbolo 

My dad took me to Danbury in I think 67 or 68. I was about 3. Into the 70's. My favorite driver was Fred Foshay. Being from Norwalk I also liked Jimmy Smith and Don LaJoie.

I remember buying pictures and plastic coupes (which I still have) from the souvenir stand. My other big thrill was seeing the cars enter the track with the red ride-height balls hanging over them. I used to go nuts. Then of course was all the fairgrounds characters. Leaving at night those animals used to scare the hell out of me. The American Flag was something to see, the grass, the track crews, and of course the race cars.

I am told my grandfather ran the grader when they built the track. My last time time at the track was in the early 80's. A new girlfriend asked me if I wanted to go on a date. Her older brother was going to "a place called Danbury" to see races. Well, she was good looking and took me to Danbury, we hit it off great.

If I get a car together in the next few years at Stafford or Waterford, and it is a blue 39, you'll know it is me.

Dan W

I attended races at DRA. since the mid sixties (flathead,coupe,sedan era) all the way to the last season. I can't forget the sounds, smell, and wrecks of the day. The organ music, the bubble machine, popping beer cups under the grandstand, the smell of vitalis, brylcream and the cigarsmoke. There will never be another racing plant like it.

Nicholas Teto

I never had the chance to attend the Danbury Fair Racearena. I do have several programs from the track and have seen footage of the races thanks to this site. It’s unfortunate that greed killed a great tradition with a mall replacing historic fairgrounds.

Long Live the Danbury Fair.

Doug

I grew up around racing during the late '60's and '70'sat the Waterford Speedbowl. I am currently building a vintage modified which will be a replica of a car that raced on that track during the era mentioned. I have more than a passing interest in keeping abreast of what's going on in the vintage race car world.

PETE DOBRYDNIO

I FIRST WENT TO THE RACEARENA IN 1961 AND EXCEPT FOR MY TIME IN THE AIR FORCE AND FIGHTS WITH MY FIRST WIFE ABOUT WHY I GO EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT, I DID NOT MISS A NIGHT. I BECAME A MEMBER IN 1974 AND WAS STILL A MEMBER UNTIL THE CLUB DISSOLVED IN THE MID-EIGHTY'S. I GO TO EVERY REUNION AND CAN STILL SPEND THE WHOLE DAY THERE JUST HANGING OUT WITH OLD FRIENDS, DRIVERS AND FANS. JOE CAMPANELLA WAS MY FIRST CONTACT WITH THE SNYRA AND I WAS HIS FRIEND AFTER HIS WIFE LEFT HIM UNTIL HE PASSED ON. THIS IS A WONDERFUL WEBSITE AND REALLY BRINGS BACK MEMORIES ALONG WITH KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH OLD FANS AND FRIENDS. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. TKS. PETE DOBRYDNIO

Tom Gunning

The Racearena was a magical place. I will never forget getting into the pits when I was 15. We still talk about how unique the pits were! With the grass and elec. It was also the place that my brother had one of if not his worst crashes! But don't take that wrong, I loved the place! The night with Ted Abbott was very hard, my brother raced 1/4 midgets for Ted in the early days.

Greg Srebotnik

I attended the Racearena with my father from 1974 - 1981. The year I began attending was the same year that Don LaJoie returned from his 2 year hiatus at Stafford Speedway. As a very young kid, I naturally became a fan of  'Donnie LaJoie' as he dominated the next two years and went on to 5 championships in the 70's. The Racearena was my first exposure to any form of car racing and the Racearena, SNYRA and all of it's drivers created a life long passion - one that continues to this day as my Dad and I follow the Whelen Modified Tour at tracks like Thompson, Stafford and NHIS. We still have a great time going to the races but we always say on the car ride home - 'nothing comes close to the excitement and competition at the Racearena.

Dave Palermo

Started going to the Danbury Fair Racearena in 1973. I was a 57 Danny Gallulo and 7 Frank Lukos fan. Thanks for the great website and all the work that goes into it.

Timmy Hallstrom

I first started to go to the Danbury Races about 1967 with my Dad and Cousin. My Dad was brought up on Midget's and I loved going to the Racearena with him almost every week. The next year and several years to come, we probably went to 80 % or more of the races. 

We built a car for Plainville (1961 Impala - "Bubble Top") and ran there from 1974 - 75, there "Pleasure Division" (would be an early Sportsman Division), and did very well. Plainville closed and we built a 1964 Chevelle for the "Novice Division" at Waterford Speedbowl for the 76 - 77 season, left that and bought a 1940's Kurtis Kraft Midget and joined NEMA (North East Midget Assoc.) and ran that for a few years.

In 1980 we decided to build our own Sportsman car for Danbury, my Dad and I started to hand fabricate the Chassis parts and figured it would take a few years to complete but the Fairgrounds were sold, plans changed and we never got back into racing. 

I went to College in Denver, CO and have gone to Races in many states all over the US and have never seen a Race Venue that compared to Danbury, the Grass on the infield, newly painted outer fence or the front stretch "Inside Wall", the beauty of the Cars and of course the Drivers and personalities that went with them.

I can name probably 30 + drivers and Car #'s off the top of my head and my favorite was # 711 - Don LaJoie, I think the most beautiful car was # 32 - Art Davis with maybe one of the first Troyer cars and Don's # 711 from like the 70-72 season (I think it was like a 39 ford Tudor Deluxe).

I raced Karts with my kids and enjoyed that at Shelton, Lime Rock and Poughkeepsie, NY.

I'm 50 yrs old now, got Engaged to my First wife :), at the 1980 Danbury Fair out by the Antique Car/ Fire truck display and truly do miss the Fair and Saturday night Races at the Racearena. 

I'm remarried with 4 kids now, I'm a Flight Inspector at Sikorsky Aircraft, still have some of the weekly programs and many good memories.

My Dad has Passed on but those memories of the Cars, the smells as the cars raced by, French Fries, running down to the Finish line to get in the picture and how close I used to hold my Dad's arm on the way out after the lights were turned off for the track as you passed all of the "Spooky" figures and Fair Ground statue's that came to life when it got dark and were gonna get me!

I wish I could have the Racearena and my Dad back!

Patrick Reynolds

My first race at the Racearena was in June of 1976 at the age of seven. My father was a sponsor on Kenny Webb's car and I met him at his garage that afternoon before my first race. I remember when the cars came out of the pit exit off turn four to begin warm-ups and I saw them all at speed for the first time. The colors and the noise mixed with the smell of fried dough. It was magic. Kenny won the feature that night and I was hooked for life. I have followed the sport ever since. I moved to North Carolina and went to work in NASCAR. But there will never be another track like Danbury.

Steve McGeary 

I lived in Danbury in the 60's and used to go to the races with my Dad when I was a kid. We moved to Florida in 1969 but went back to visit in the summer of 71 and got a chance to attend the Saturday night races for the last time. I'm sorry I missed the years of seeing the Gremlins, Pinto's and Vegas.... but please forgive me if I say that the old "flat-head" modifieds are what Danbury was all about. Not only the Race-arena but also the Danbury Fair will always be fond memories for me. Great web-site!

Tom Bruchalski

I began attending in the mid 60's with my dad and uncle and was instantly hooked on the Danbury experience. As soon as I was able to drive a couple of years later I never missed a weeks attendance up to 1976. I even rescheduled my high school graduation party so I wouldn't miss attending. My loyalty was so much so that my mom always referred to the racearena as "The Danbury Cathedral" when asking where I might be on a saturday night. A tight group of friends, "Our Gang" as we refered to ourselves were members of the forth turn fraternity. I was a huge fan of Chick and Jimmy Smith (loved those championship battles of the 60's) while my friends were Webby fans. I even went to visit and meet Chick at his farm in Woodbury. Sure do miss all those sights, sounds and smells of what was truly the greatest venue and experience for any racing fan. To bad political and corporate greed had to claim "The east's most beautiful racing plant". Thank you to all who maintain this site, it really does help to keep the past alive.

Rich Redmond

I spent every single Saturday night at the Racearena from 1965 till it's closing. I've gone to other tracks but always expect it to be like Danbury and am always disappointed so I don't go much anymore. There was and is only one Danbury and it sure is missed! I always knew I'd take my son there on Saturdays but he was born too late so he just gets to hear me talk about it. We will never again find the comradery, excitement, friendship or the shear beauty of the track and it's surroundings that was Danbury. Just goes to show what greed can do to a whole lot of people!

JOHN HANSON

I AM THE SON OF THE LATE WARREN HANSON, OWNER OF THE "00" CAR DRIVEN BY HARRY BRAZEE. I NEVER GOT TO GO THE THE RACEARENA BUT I OFTEN HEARD MY DAD AND HARRY TALK SO MUCH ABOUT ALL THEIR FRIENDS AND FELLOW RACERS THERE INCLUDING LOU JUDSON, FRED FOSHAY AND JOE CHOWANSKY. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES. 

WILD BILL DONNELLY JR

I grew up going to the racearena every Saturday night from the early 60's through the early 70's. My father, Wild Bill Donnelly, built all the cars for Jimmy Smith's first four point championships. He started with car owner Rit Rizzi in 1962 and brought in Dick Barlow for the 1963 season. This car was the sister car of Don LaJoie's first 711 coupes, painted red and white and was numbered 18. Jimmy came on board in 1964 and challenged Chick for the title. In 1965 it was our turn, winning the title, the first of three consecutive. Rizzi sold the 18 after the season so Jimmy and my Father built the first "Doc's Road Apple Special" for 1966, a 1936 Ford that ran the whole season without a single victory, but still won the title. It was also the start of the red, black and white color scheme and the famous #3 that is so associated with Jimmy Smith. In 1967 they built a 1934 Ford coupe, Doc's Road Apple Special 2 and ran that car until my father stopped working with Jimmy in 1970. They won the titles in 1965,66,67 and 69-while running the same motor throughout-almost ten years.
My family and friends sat in the grandstands in the same spot for ten years, two rows in front of the center aisle just after the finish line, it was a great time in our lives. The sad thing is trying to explain how unique an experience it was-especially living it as a ten year old. The smells of the fries and donuts cooking, stealing a sip of beer from my uncle when he wasn't looking, standing in line to see and buy the latest photos of our favorite drivers. The sounds of the open headers-even with the flatheads it was deafening. The vibration of the grandstands as the cars crossed in front of you on the opening lap. Tiny Weyer jumping into the infield after starting the pack. The bubble machines and of course the State Police folding the huge American flag before the feature race. I really loved after the crowds dispersed, we used to hang out with all the teams in a fenced in area near the highway. The coolers would come out and we would be there, 7 and 8 year olds in a place with 50 stock cars-a giant toy store. The drivers and owners didn't care if you crawled all over their cars, everybody seemed to like each other. When the overheads came in, their speed actually made the action better. The cars were quicker, louder and sleeker and the wrecks were wilder.
The state fair was also far bigger and better than the ones we see now, if you have been to Durham, our since Danbury state fair, you can see the obvious, no giants, Dutch villages, old west towns, reindeer, elves or even the grandstand concessions, which were designed to feed thousands-it's all gone except the memories. Thanks Danbury Racearena-for everything.

Rusty

I Attended races at the Racearena from 1972 till the end in 81. Worked at R.G.M racing as fabricator in late 70's early 80's helped build many chassis for Danbury competitors as well as replacement parts. Today. I am a racing historian looking into the background of midget racing on the east coast before and after WW II and the events at the track during this time period.

Eileen Keeler

My Dad was Kenn Keeler. I remember watching many races with my family at Danbury. I would love to have more information on my father and get in touch with anyone who can provide me some more of his racing history. Please email me at lsccbean@yahoo.com

Anne Marie (Annie Hill) Marron

My father Louis (Louie) Hill drove and worked on many race cars at races. He actually started over in New York when the SNYRA started there. He used to build motors. I have been told that if you could not get a motor from my father you went to Eddie Barker (Donnie Barker is his son). Those two were the only ones who built the motors way back then. When the club moved to Danbury my drove a race car for one year. His number was 888. Then he just went to working on them. I grew up at the Danbury races sitting in the first row on the fourth turn. My favorite drive was Mike Ducanic. When the Sportsman class started I sponsored Danny Archiere's car. I am very, very good friends with his sister Rosann (Pooie) and her husband Brian "Chubby" Dachenhausen. I also sponsored Harry when he drove the car for them and my name on the car was "Beer Broad". Thats what I sponsored was the beer each week. I spent every Saturday night at the races from the time I was about 6 or 7 until it closed. I now work at the Reunions that are held each year at the O'Neil Center.I am still very active in the racing with Eddie Dachenhausen who drives a Open wheeled Modified in the True Value Racing Series and who also was the 2003 Point Champion at Chemung Speedrome and who also the Nascar Regional Champion. 

George Cleveland 

I started going to Danbury regularly for the 1968 season with Joe Rzeszutek Jr. and family. Started going into the pits around 1972 and continued until it closed. After danbury Joe ran at Riverside Park until the early 90s. I now own the Buddy Krebs #5 that we bring to the reunion. I now work for Goodrich Corp. which overlooks the old Racearena site. Hardly a workday goes by that someone doesn't look out the window and comment on what a shame it is that the fairgrounds are gone. Probably that person is usually me!

Scott Maltzie

My Dad was a long-time fan of SNYRA. He brought me from the time I was 8 or 9 (68-69) until we moved away from NY in 1976. He attended almost from the beginning. This is an AMAZING site that brings back many memories. He's not a computer guy but can't wait to share this with him the next time he's over.

George B Winter

I used to attend the races at Danbury from my early years (age 5) to about my mid teens. My brother and I would go over to Kenny Webb's house and help Kenny on the ole deuce for many a year. When Kenny moved out the the area of Golden's Bridge we then would ride our bikes down I-684 to Katonah where we would help Dick Barlow on his car every Friday morning. When we got back home we would have to do our five paper routes. 

Saturday would come and after the papers were delivered we all piled into the car and off to Danbury we would go to get in line to get our tickets. There was and will be only one Danbury. So many memories there and life long friendships were created. Always in the same seats every week and the same people who became friends around us. The Sellicks from Danbury they were for Paul Pettit and of course we were for Kenny or Dickie.

Jack Creevy

From what I've been told I started going to the Racearena when I was three years old which would be about 1955. As best I can remember at some point I somehow became a Chick Stockwell fan. I'm pretty sure it had something to do with my mother attending school with Chick when they were younger. As time went by I continued being a fan of Chick because he drove so hard and was very good. I remember seeing him come off of turn four with the left front wheel up in the air. Many times it was actually a snow tire. I guess back then chassis setups weren't what they are today and anything that would hold air was good enough to put on the left front. By the time I reached high school, Don LaJoie was the new guy in town and all my friends pulled for him. I'm guessing because our friend Pete was Don's cousin and worked on the car. Through it all I stayed loyal to Chick even though Don was kicking his butt every week and my friends ragged on me constantly. I eventually went in to the service, came home from time to time and went to the track as often as I could. I never moved back to Connecticut but was saddened when I was told the news of the Racearena being torn down. I have since been to many cup races but, they don't compare to the memories of Danbury.

Jack Creevy
Keene, NH

My father started taking me to Danbury in 1976. He would never go if there was a threat of rain so on those nights I would sit by the upstairs window and listen to the engines roar. We lived in Newtown just over the Bethel line and I could still tell when cars were in warm-ups, heats and features. I always cheered on Billy Boo. To this day my father will tell you that Danbury had the best french fries he had ever had. I never realized how much I would miss the racearena. I have been to many other tracks but still compare each one to Danbury. The fans were a rare breed what with their shirts, jackets, signs, and hats. What I would give to spend one more night in the grandstands at Danbury Racearena!

David Preston

Growing up in Danbury during the 70's my first real race was in 1974, my dad took the whole family. Already loving cars and racing that experience was now part of me. The sound of open headers and when it got dark seeing blue flames was magical. Living within listening distance, if I couldn't go to the races I could always hear them.

I last attended races the summer of 1980 before heading to the west cost for college. When I heard that the fair would be turned into a mall and the race track demolished, like all who loved this I was sick.

Over the years I've been to many tracks both big and small, Indy, Nascar, F1, etc. not a race has gone by that I don't think of the modifieds racing at Danbury.

Having stumbled onto this site while thinking of Danbury brought back a flood of feelings that define my love, not only of racing but of a childhood in Danbury. Seeing the pictures I could remember drivers and cars that I had not seen in 30 years. 

I want to thank all that have contributed to this site and for the smile I have on my face.

To sign the guest book please e-mail us your story!

danburyraces@netzero.net

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