Formerly known as “Lost Speedways,”
The 2024 Racing Memories program at the Saratoga Automobile Museum may well be the best-ever, with a segment recalling the NASCAR asphalt era at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway recently added to the original schedule.
“We don’t really know if the speedway will close in 2025 after some 60 years of racing as announced this summer, but it seems high time to look back to the early days with drivers whose careers started there,” said event organizer Ron Hedger. “We’ll interview a few drivers from that era, recall highlights and rivalries and discuss some of the stars who are no longer with us.”
Drivers on the panel will include Brian Ross, Nick Ronca, Phil Spiak and Jack Halloran.
Set for the traditional “Saturday after Thanksgiving” date, November 30th, the Racing Memories program will feature a wide variety of racing personalities and topics.
“The Motorcycle Guy,” Mark Supley, will do a segment on sidecar motorcycle racing while Area Auto Racing News columnist and racing historian Herb Anastor will discuss Indianapolis 500 winner Roger Ward’s triumph in the Formula Libre race at Lime Rock Park, where Ward topped a bevy of world class sports car racers with Ken Brenn’s Offy midget. As an added attraction, owner Keith Majka will be on hand with the restored Brenn car.
Ken Parrotte will present “Triumph from Tragedy,” a look back at a fire during the Indy 500 that preceded a Johnny Rutherford/Bobby Unser battle for the win. Additionally, Hedger has two interviews on tap, one with promoter Brett Deyo and the other with DIRTcar modified star Demetrious Drellos.
The Saratoga Automobile Museum, located on the Avenue of the Pines in the Saratoga Spa State Park, opens at 10 am. Enthusiasts are encouraged to bring memorabilia to share between opening time and 11:45, when the formal program will begin. Display tables will be provided.
“I am moving the start time for the presentations up from past years as we have a full slate and I want to leave time for the audience to interact with our presenters at the conclusion of each segment,” offered Hedger.
Lunch will again be available in the museum lobby. Tickets are available online or can be purchased at the door. As always, the event is free to current museum members.