Columbus Motor Speedway

Book excerpt: From 1946 through 2016, the Columbus Motor Speedway, the tough one-third-mile track led primarily by the Nuckles family, presented numerous motorsport events ranging from motorcycles to coupes and, finally, to stock cars. Through triumph and tragedy, rule changes and escalating costs, not only did the track survive and prosper but so did the weekly racers. During its 70-year run, the track witnessed the transition from homebuilt race cars to sleek custom-built cars constructed on jigs to exacting specifications, with a corresponding increase in speeds. To keep up with a changing fan base, other events were offered in addition to weekly stock car shows, such as school bus races and thrill shows; however, the core focus remained on the grassroots racers who supported the track week in and week out.