Track Crosswalk Sign - Click to go to Home page.
[ Home ] the start line. ] the left wall. ] the right wall. ] the bleachers. ] map ] the old days ] the movie ] WHBQ 56 ] profiles ] articles ] the end. ] links ] reunion ]

 

Welcome to the Lakeland Raceway Website.

 

A Look at Abandoned Lakeland International Raceway Near Memphis, Tennessee.

The 1999 release on video and DVD of Monte Hellman's film 'Two-Lane Blacktop' prompted me to pay a visit to the grounds of the Lakeland International Raceway; a track that made its debut on July 4th, 1960 as Lake Land Dragway.  (Ironically, 'Two-Lane Blacktop' made it's theatrical debut in New York City on the Fourth of July weekend too.) Almost ten years after I started this site, in 2009 the last remains of this once vibrant track were scooped up by heavy equipment and hauled off in dump trucks to make way for more of the same, mixed use development.

Closed in 1979, this track saw a lot of action in its heyday hosting major NHRA, AHRA and IHRA events. The best names in drag racing have traveled this asphalt; Jungle Jim, Dyno Don, Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick, Shirl Greer, Bob Glidden, Lee Shepherd, Shirley Muldowney, Tommy Ivo, Eddie Hill, Gene Snow and many more! In 1972 Big Daddy Don Garlits set an AHRA national E.T. record, traversing Lakeland Raceway in 5.95 seconds. He returned in 1973 and laid down drag racing's quickest pass of the time, 5.79 seconds; a number that stood with NHRA for almost two years.

USA
Tennessee State Flag

1967 Coming Events - Click to enlarge. Thanks Jack Martin!A road course constructed on the site in the late 60's which integrated the dragstrip as a long straightaway even hosted SCCA and USAC races.  A.J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey and Parnelli Jones competed here in the Memphis 200. After you tour the track, check out 'the old days' section, the article archive and the 'WHBQ' section where you'll see some of the exciting action that took place here.

If you have any stories, photos etc. to share related to Lakeland International Raceway feel free to contact me and sign the guestbook.  I'm sure there are plenty of interesting memories out there. This site can serve as a gathering place for all things Lakeland International Raceway. (Thanks to all those who have contributed so far!)

In the meanwhile, enjoy your look around this ghost track.

 Greg Friend
greg@lakelandraceway.com

News:  

  • 2/6/2011 - A new name and a new look for a new era. MMP is now MIR; Memphis International Raceway. That has familiar ring to it. Slated to open in April under IHRA sanctioning, the track will also feature weekly racing and test-and-tune. Great news race fans!|
    Memphis International Raceway

  • 12/15/2010 - Fantastic news was reported today. Memphis Motorsports Park lives on after FL investor Joe Lubeck purchased it at auction on 12/14/2010!

  • 12/10/2010 - The fate of Memphis Motorsports park is nearing. The entire facility is slated to be auctioned off Tuesday morning, Dec. 14. Hopefully we'll have good news at the conclusion of the auction.

  • 11/24/2010 - The 2010 Reunion page is up! There's a cool video and dozens of photos; check it out

  • 11/13/2010 - The Reunion at Holly Springs Motorsports was a blast! Coming soon will be a bunch of photos from the event and even some more old stuff I picked up along the way. Meanwhile, enjoy the event coverage at www.dragracingonline.com.

  • 10/16/2010 - On the heels of the Lakeland Drag Strip Reunion comes some encouraging news regarding Memphis Motorsports Park! Let's hope for the best.

  • 9/10/2010 - In case you missed the banner above, there will be an awesome Lakeland Dragstrip Reunion Nov. 5-7. This will be taking place at the Holly Springs Dragstrip. Stay tuned for details!

  • 1/24/2010 - Join the growing number of supporters of reopening Memphis Motorsports Park here. Let's not let it get away like Lakeland.

  • 1/2/2010 - Local racer Larry Langston has shared his Lakeland Raceway photos. Click here.

  • 11/12/2009 - Get ready! From the site that originated the 'ghost track' Web tribute, you're about to experience time travel. The time machine has been set to bring you back to Lakeland Raceway in the early '70s. Stay tuned...

  • 11/8/2009 - The 2009 Memphis Rodders Reunion will take place at the Al Chymia Shriner's Temple, 5770 Shelby Oaks Drive, in Memphis TN on Thursday, November 19th. This is the Thursday before Thanksgiving, which is the customary date for the reunion. Don't miss it! More info...

  • 11/7/2009 - Memphis Motorsports Park officially fell silent this afternoon after a final Saturday of racing and Test & Tune. It was an absolutely spectacular day weather-wise to say good bye to this great facility.

  • 10/30/2009 - I can hardly believe it but the very successful Memphis Motorsports Park was closed today by owners Dover Motorsports. This track layout is reminiscent of Lakeland's with the drag strip doubling as a long straight on a road course that snakes around the right-hand side, a structure over the start line and even stock car racing 'across the street'. MMP has been hosting over 200 events per year including NHRA Full Throttle Series, NASCAR Trucks & Stock Cars, NMCA, etc. attracting in excess of a half million fans. Can MMP be saved or is it doomed to be the next chapter in former Memphis racing facilities?
    NHRA funny car driver Daniel Wilkerson loses his rear wheels and crashes in his first round race against Ron Capps at Memphis Motorsports Park on Monday.  Memphis Motorsports Park
    Photo: latimes.com

 

IT'S HERE!!
Click here for Two-Lane Blacktop scenes!

Click here for Lakeland International Raceway scenes from Two-Lane Blacktop.

Lakeland Speedbowl

Does anyone remember this track? If you have stories, pictures of memorabilia, e-mail me. I'd like to collect information to start a little site about this old track too.

 

 

Yet another Memphis area abandoned dragstrip... The picture to the left contains yet another abandoned, Memphis area dragstrip.  Do you know what it was?

Click here to see.

GearHead Cafe'

 

 

<BGSOUND SRC="sounds/two-lane_lakeland.mp3" LOOP="1"> <NOEMBED> </EMBED>
Search  (enter key word):
 


 

This Web site is part of Friends' Garage.

© Copyright 2000-2010 Greg Friend