DOVER’S LAST DAY: May 23,1976….the story unfolds

This topic has 93 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated February 14, 2020 at 12:46 pm by dino.

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October 2, 2008 at 6:25 pm #8826
dino
Keymaster
I wasn’t there , on the Last Day …who was ? Got some questions. Did they announce that they would close like next week OR on a specific date ? Did people who didn’t hear about it ,show up the following week to a locked gate.? Any ads that stated “Last Day” AND -Does anybody have a clue to who made ‘The Last Run” .
October 2, 2008 at 8:05 pm #12927
furyus63
Participant
Dover’s last day…

I remember my 4 year old son and I were sitting in the bleachers across from the timing tower watching time trials and I could not wait to introduce him to his first hamburger with raw onion from the snack bar. I believe an announcement was made before intermission that this may be the last day of racing at Dover.

When time trials were over the announcement came. Dover will close now and we will not be coming back after intermission, no more racing. I believe the announcement may have also mentioned something about no insurance for the remainder of the day forced the cancellation of racing.

A sad day, but somehow the memory is alive and that’s why we’re here.

Nick Tiberio
FuryUs63
October 2, 2008 at 8:41 pm #12928
dino
Keymaster
Wow….Wonder what, then Track Manager Chris Swift ,could add. THAT means the guy that made the last time trail was ‘the last run’. That guy needs a plaque or trophy !.
October 2, 2008 at 8:55 pm #12929
dino
Keymaster
NICK SENT THIS TOO :76 “payout List”…not much here compared to other tracks at the time . Might have a lot to do with it ya think?

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October 2, 2008 at 10:31 pm #12934
hvy70ss
Participant
Not sure if this happened on it’s last day but I remember leaving early with my friend and his Ford Capri for some sad reason(???). We headed down to Englishtown to race because back then they ran late into Sunday nights!! Could that have been the last day?? Either way it changed alot of peoples lives back then. I for one would love to see a track in that area again..even 1/8 mile.

Bob
October 3, 2008 at 11:15 am #12948
lee-valentine
Dino, I was there the last day with Bill Davitt driving the black camaro we built at the Automobile Shop, and half way through the day they anounced that was it Dover was no more. Lee Valentine.
October 3, 2008 at 6:50 pm #12957
dino
Keymaster
OK ….Anybody Know the exact Date ?
October 3, 2008 at 10:00 pm #12958
lee-valentine
Dino, I think it was the third sunday in May.
October 4, 2008 at 1:40 pm #12966
dover1320
Hey, Brian here my friend John Gunn won the last ss/ class that day and I have a pit pass from the last day it was May 23 1976. It was a few days after the 15th year of being open . Skip was there see what he remembers. Brian M
October 5, 2008 at 8:59 pm #12982
billy-casey
hi everybody… SUPER PUMPKIN here.. I was the last modified winner and I think it was the end of may [about]. at the end of lunch hour we use to have a drivers meeting and it was at that time Charlie sadly anounced that this is the last race . there was dead silence for quite some time . a very sad day for many . this was a very big part of our lives . we then drew who we had to race 😥 😥 😥
October 6, 2008 at 9:31 pm #13010
masracingtd1167
Participant
I was there the last day .Like some one said they made an announcment that it was the last day they would be open.I beat Billy Griffin in the final in comp eliminator.That announcment took all the fun out of winning.
October 6, 2008 at 9:35 pm #13011
dino
Keymaster
Ok …the story is coming together ….What was the LAST Elim. Final to run? THAT, would Then be, ‘The last RUN at Dover ” ….right ?
October 7, 2008 at 5:16 am #13018
billy-casey
the track had a thing they called “King of the hill” ..the winners of the stock/ super stock elim. ranthe winner of modified elim. – i lost to Ralph Fiolas corvette. that may have been the last pass down the track . im almost positive that I got the last two prize checks from Joe himself . not a very happy day for anyone … Billy
October 7, 2008 at 11:40 am #13020
dino
Keymaster
Billy….I’m going with that as a historical note Unless someone disputes it .Now…what kind of car and class for you both.
October 7, 2008 at 12:26 pm #13021
billy-casey
im not sure of Ralphs class . he changed class alot . one 4 barrel/2 4 barrells or fuel injection..my car was a C / Super modified 69 camaro with the name Super Pumpkin on it . Ralphs car was a white and brown 57 corvette , a great lookin car . be worth a small fortune today…Billy
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