Lost Speedways Season 2 Episode 2 Pennsboro Speedway

The second episode of season two of Lost Speedways focuses on the Pennsboro Speedway, located in West Virginia. Host Dale Earnhardt Jr. delves into the history of the track, which opened in 1939 and played host to a variety of different racing events over the years.

Earnhardt Jr. talks to local residents about the track's heyday in the 1960s and '70s, when big-name drivers like Richard Petty and David Pearson came to Pennsboro to compete. He also speaks with former drivers who raced at the track, sharing stories about the intense competition and the thrill of taking on the challenging, high-banked turns.

One of the unique aspects of Pennsboro Speedway was the way it was built into the side of a hill. Drivers would reach the top of the track and then speed down the hill, creating a rush of adrenaline for both driver and spectator. However, the track's unique layout also made it difficult to maintain, and eventually, financial struggles led to its closure in 2009.

Earnhardt Jr. explores the abandoned track, noting how nature has begun to reclaim the area. He also speaks with local residents who are working to preserve the history of the track, including a man who has turned his property into a museum filled with Pennsboro Speedway artifacts and memorabilia.

Throughout the episode, Earnhardt Jr. reflects on the importance of preserving the history of these lost speedways, not just for the sake of nostalgia, but as a way to learn from the past and understand how far racing has come. As he says, "These tracks might be gone, but their stories live on."