The Old Racetrack in Jacksonville
On a recent hunt, I tried to find any remnants of the “Old Jacksonville Racetrack” of Duval County, also known as the Jacksonville Speedway. I was told it had been located near the intersection of Lenox Avenue and Plymouth Street on the westside of the city. At one time, it was “the” place to race an automobile.
All that was there though, was a huge conglomerate of apartments named Madelyn Oaks formerly Lenox Court Apartments. 5710 Lenox Avenue was gated but not a racer to be seen, so I traveled the road to talk with anyone who might know. At Pugh Automotive, I got some answers. Lee, an office worker said the track was indeed where the apartments now sit and he spoke a great deal about what had once been a busy and fun place. He noted that Wendell Scott, the first Black person to win at racing had made his mark there, along with many others.
Being in the automotive business, he was obviously familiar with the racing industry and on the Pugh property were various cars dating back to the days the track was just yards away. I asked if he had a race car on the property. He said “no,” but there then he took me inside the shop to show me a framed race car photo from the days of the busy track. Also he noted for me to look at the vintage autos all around. They were beautiful along with the memorabilia and collectibles around the room and on the walls.
Wikipedia has a 1952 aerial photograph of “Speedway Park” which opened in 1947. It closed in 1972. The track was a 0.5 oval dirt tract which was used for auto races including NASCAR Grand National Series.
Eddie Bland (1904-1968) built the racetrack on family farm land in 1946. He had been an avid race car driver winning 3 Florida State championships. His 1934 cars were # 11 and # 8. After WWII, he built the 1/2 mile speedway and in March of 1947 the track had its first stock race. It became known as “the fastest 1/2 mile dirt track in the world” according to Forumation. com. Bland is considered one of the “true pioneers in the southeastern world of stock car racing.” He was inducted into the Jacksonville Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame in 1998.
In talking to a high school friend, Wayne Ezell, he tells about the life of a stock car driver being “all in or nothing” and says that his father, David was “all in”. David Ezell (1928-2013) had been a Navy veteran and well known stock car driver. His son, who had also raced on the track, tells that his family of 5; his Dad, Mom, an older sister, younger sister and self lived the lives of a racing family. David was inducted into the Jacksonville Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame in 1991.
In scanning the Facebook Speedway site, Bob Robert-Hoden wrote of Ezell, “That man could drive good. He was the Earnhardt of the 50’s and 60’s”. Frank Ridden wrote, “ That was my man back then”. Wayne Davis wrote, “David Ezell was my absolute favorite driver at the old Jacksonville Speedway part he always took time to come speak to me when I was a little feller when I was at the fence, separating the pits in the infield, and I’ve never forgot that and hopefully I never will. I always tried to emulate that in my racing career.”
Of David Ezell, George Collins, an Admin for the Jacksonville Speedway Facebook page wrote:
“Too little is said about David Ezell, probably the most under-rated driver evere to turn a wheel at the old speedway. David probably won more races accidently than many could brag about on purpose. If truth be known, he most likely wore out more cars than he wrecked. This one he didn’t get to wear out, although he drove it two seasons or three. This was his first race car, a 39 Ford deluxe coupe. I just noticed it has 1938 standard fenders.”
The Jacksonville Speedway opened in 1947. Iy would host NASCAR Grand National Series in 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1961, and 1964. It would also host the race for Wendell Scott, the first Black to win. NASCAR top series.
Following the NASCAR Grand National East Series, the track was closed in 1973 and today a housing development fills the property.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: David Wayne Ezell, Pugh Automotive, “ Lee”, Jacksonville Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame, Wikipedia, Forumotion .com, Photos: George Collins, Hazel W., Facebook, Wikipedia, Vaughan Publishing, Nannette V. Ramey