Track History

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The 1980’s saw more appearances by the biggest names in racing, including a 1984 return by NASCAR’s Allison in his #22 Miller High Life Pontiac, who scored a the win in a race.

From its humble beginnings as a go-kart track built on the south side of the airport in 1963, Baer Field Speedway has grown and evolved into the premier motorsports facility in northern Indiana. Now in its 50th year of operation, the Speedway’s two different oval track configurations; its 1/10th-mile oval; and its newly-built 1/8th- mile dirt track enable the facility to handle virtually every form of closed course racing vehicle.

Over the years, the track has played host to some of the biggest names in motorsports. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser came to the track in the 1964 and set a track record that would stand for the next 12 years. The 1970’s brought current-and future NASCAR stars such as David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Buddy Baker, Darrell Waltrip, Benny Parsons, and Rusty Wallace to the half-mile oval along with short track greats such as Dick Trickle, Ed Howe, Bob Senneker, Joe Ruttman, Tiny Lund, Bentley Warren, Johnny Rutherford, Gary Bettenhausen, Rich Vogler, Mel Kenyon & more!

The talent-laden field saw a return of former race winners Wallace and Trickle; along with Daytona 500 Champions Geoff Bodine and Michael Waltrip; and Rick Wilson. Following a nasty crash by Wallace, the checkered flag went to the legendary Dale Earnhardt in Larry Zent’s #5.

The 1990’s saw action continuing on the “fast half” with the biggest event in Speedway history. The first-ever “NASCAR Night” saw six top NASCAR stars come to Fort Wayne to compete in a special race driving Outlaw Late Models.

The new millennium saw new changes to the grand old facility, as a new set of high-banked corners was carved out of the Speedway infield to allow (along with the existing turns 3 & 4) the option of a lower-speed 3/8th mile track for weekly racing. The original go-kart track (which is now used for the stock car pit area) was abandoned in favor of a new 1/10th mile kart oval in the infield of the bigger tracks; and an AMA-sanctioned motocross track was constructed at the back of the Speedway parking lot. The Speedway has also continued to be a proving ground for future stars as current NASCAR star Kyle Busch was a regular visitor and David Stremme scored several race wins at Baer Field before departing for the “Big Time.

The 2013 season will see action two nights a week, starting with pavement go- karts running on Friday nights. Saturday’s will see a weekly DOUBLEHEADER of action with stock cars of the 3/8th mile paved oval and go-karts on the high-banked 1/8th-mile dirt track.