Track History "Fastlands of the Finger Lakes"..... .....Nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, Canandaigua Speedway stands as one of the most revered ovals on the entire DIRT Motorsports circuit. The popular half-miler has been in existence for nearly a half-century, with the past 24 stock car racing seasons run under the DIRT banner.
First opening on Memorial Day in 1953, the speedway gained instant notoriety with current DIRT Hall of Famers Dutch Hoag and Elmer Musclow turning it into a weekend home. Western New York standouts Billy Rafter, Kenny Meahl and Ed Ortiz as well as eastern invaders Pete Corey, Billy Wimble and Lou Lazzaro soon followed in victory lane, further showcasing some of the best sportsman talent in the Northeast.
Future national modified champion Jerry Cook captured the 1964 Canandaigua Speedlands' points crown before the track temporarily closed.
New management surfaced in 1972 and a second promoter in three years gave way to still more uncertainty.
DIRT founder Glenn Donnelly took control of the Ontario County Fairgrounds' Speedland in 1977 and has ruled wine country ever since.
Names like Will Cagle, Merv Treichler, Alan and Danny Johnson, Bob McCreadie, Steve Paine, Canadian Joe Plazek and Billy Decker soon made the headlines, once and for all establishing the facility as the "Land of Legends" for generations to come.
Currently some of the nation's top short-track stars can be found in Canandaigua every Saturday night throughout the summer months. The premier DIRT Modifieds are joined weekly by open-wheel sportsman and full-fender pro stock and street stock divisions. Traditional headline big-block events, including the nationally televised Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series showdown, Memorial Day and Independence Day Championships.
An 1/8 mile dirt dragstrip operated in the 60s. The track has also operated as "Big C Speedway" and "Speedland".
