Belmont Park Racing Tickets

Belmont Park Racing, located in Elmont, New York, is best known for its horse racing events. However, there is a lesser-known connection between Belmont Park and auto racing that dates back several decades.

In the early 1900s, Belmont Park was used as a racetrack for cars and motorcycles. The park boasted a one-mile dirt track that was a popular destination for racing enthusiasts. Iconic drivers such as Barney Oldfield and Ralph DePalma competed on the track, setting records and thrilling crowds with their high-speed races.

By the 1920s, the popularity of auto racing had reached its peak, and Belmont Park became a hub for the sport. In 1926, the Speedway Motordrome was built within the park, providing a venue for car races. The Motordrome was a wooden bowl-shaped track, and it quickly became known as the "murderdrome" due to its dangerous curves and steep banking.

Despite its nickname, the Speedway Motordrome attracted top drivers from around the world. Famous names such as Frank Lockhart, Jimmy Murphy, and Louis Chevrolet competed at Belmont Park, drawing large crowds and contributing to the rise of auto racing's popularity.

The Motordrome continued to host races until 1931 when the Great Depression forced an end to the extravagant spending associated with the sport. While auto racing never regained the same level of interest at Belmont Park, the legacy of the Speedway Motordrome lives on.

Today, visitors to Belmont Park can see remnants of the track scattered throughout the park, including pieces of wood that once made up the motordrome's famous boards.

Though Belmont Park Racing is now synonymous with horse racing, it has certainly left its mark on the history of motor sports. From the legendary drivers who competed on its tracks to the indelible impact of its motordrome, Belmont Park remains a significant piece of American auto racing history.