Marchbanks Speedway
Former auto race track From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marchbanks Speedway (also Hanford Motor Speedway) was a racetrack located in San Joaquin Valley near Hanford, California. It hosted open-wheel and NASCAR cars, as well as motorcycle racing, in the 1950s and 1960s. The track was subsequently demolished.
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| Location | Kings County, near Hanford, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36.2731°N 119.5959°W |
| Opened | 1951 |
| Closed | 1970 |
| Major events | USAC National Championship California 200 (1967–1969) Hanford 250 (1968) NASCAR Grand National (1951, 1960–1961) |
| Dirt oval | |
| Surface | dirt |
| Length | 0.5 miles (0.8 km) |
| Asphalt tri-oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.375 miles (2.212 km) |
It was originally built by local farmer B. L. Marchbanks, and named after himself. The track began as a half mile dirt track. It was later paved as a 1.4-mile (2.3 km), high-banked racetrack and also hosted speed runs for watercraft in an infield lake, much as Lake Lloyd at the Daytona International Speedway does today.
Three NASCAR races were held at the track. The first was held on the dirt track in 1951. Danny Weinberg won his only NASCAR race. Marvin Porter won the race on the 1.4-mile (2.3 km) paved course in 1960. The NASCAR race record was set March 12, 1961, when Fireball Roberts led all 178 laps of a 250-mile (400 km) race, hosted at the track. He finished two laps ahead of the second place driver.[1][2][3]
The official race lap records at Marchbanks Speedway (Hanford Motor Speedway) are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Tri-Oval: 2.212 km (1960–1969)[4] | ||||
| USAC IndyCar | 30.351[5] | Joe Leonard | Lotus 56 | 1968 Hanford 250 |
| Stock car racing | 50.321[6] | David Pearson | Pontiac Catalina | 1961 Hanford NASCAR Grand National round |
Hanford is included in Indianapolis 500 Evolution.
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