BAER FIELD SPEEDWAY The track is located right next to the runways of the Fort Wayne International Airport. It was also...
Posted by Lost Dirt Tracks on Thursday, March 18, 2021Baer Field Raceway was shown in a March 18, 2021 post by Lost Dirt Tracks on Facebook:
BAER FIELD SPEEDWAY
The track is located right next to the runways of the Fort Wayne International Airport. It was also the site of a kart track built in the early 60s.
Officially opening in 1964, it opened as a slightly smaller 1/2 mile paved track. It came as other tracks in the area were closing down at the time.
In the beginning it was a stock car track that had its ups and downs. Popularity seemed to waiver a little.
It wasn’t until the late 70s where improvements were made and the fan base grew. At the time, it was all about the late models and the stock cars. The track saw many superstars such as Johnny Rutherford, Gary Bettenhausen, Buddy Baker, Dale Earnhardt, the Waltrips and the Wallace’s, Sterling Marlin and Dick Trickle.
In 1992 they started introducing modified racing that was sanctioned by IMCA but by the late 90s, ran regular racing for modifieds.
In 1999, they added the 3/8 mile paved track inside and they also introduced a kart dirt track on the outside.
After the 2012 season, the track was struggling and multiple operators took it over. In 2017, it was renamed Baer Field Motorsports Park.
After the 2019 season finished, the owners of the property wouldn’t renew the lease and put the land up for sale. It is believed racing could return but with the price on its head, mostly likely will be taken over by the airport.
Town: Winters Rd, Fort Wayne, Indiana - USA
Size: 1/2 mile & 3/8 mile
Operated: 1964 - 2019
1964 - A new speedway - Baer Field Raceway - near Baer Field and Brookwood Golf Club at Fort Wayne Chronicle Tribune, Marion, Indiana, Friday, April 24, 1964, Page 11.1964 - A new speedway - Baer Field Raceway - near Baer Field and Brookwood Golf Club at Fort Wayne
Article from Apr 24, 1964 Chronicle Tribune (Marion, Indiana) 1964, Baer field raceway
1964 - Sprint Car Races - Baer Field Raceways Illustrated Speedway News, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, June 30, 1964, Page 11.1964 - Sprint Car Races - Baer Field Raceways
Article from Jun 30, 1964 Illustrated Speedway News (Brooklyn, New York) 1964, Baer field raceway
1965 - United States Auto Club - Baer Field Raceways The Star Press, Muncie, Indiana, Thursday, August 26, 1965, Page 26.1965 - United States Auto Club - Baer Field Raceways
Article from Aug 26, 1965 The Star Press (Muncie, Indiana) 1965, Baer field raceway
1965 - Unser Finishes 1st in Indiana Race - Bobby Unser of Albuquerque, N.M. 30-lap USAC spring car The Journal Times, Racine, Wisconsin, Monday, September 20, 1965, Page 20.1965 - Unser Finishes 1st in Indiana Race - Bobby Unser of Albuquerque, N.M. 30-lap USAC spring car
Article from Sep 20, 1965 The Journal Times (Racine, Wisconsin) 1966, Baer field raceway