One of northern New England’s first purpose-built race tracks received statewide recognition today, as Northeastern Speedway was officially recognized by the State of Vermont with the unveiling of a historical marker on speedway grounds.
Northeastern Speedway operated alongside Route 18 in the rural town of Waterford from 1959 to 1966. Hosting today’s dedication ceremony were present property owners Paul and Lise Bellefeuille, of Waterford. The Bellefeuilles have worked tirelessly since 2008 to restore speedway grounds to their original condition, creating a living museum to Vermont’s rich racing history.
Northeastern is considered by many to be “the birthplace of organized racing in Vermont.” Run by officials of the state’s first motorsports sanctioning body (Northeastern Racing Association), the high-banked 1/5-mile oval was the first to utilize specific rules, a points system, and focus on driver safety.
Joining speedway owners to unveil the state marker was Vermont Lt. Governor Phil Scott, a racer himself with a deep passion for the sport. With his love of racing and respect for its rich history in Vermont , Lt. Governor Scott was pleased to represent the state in this special dedication.
“This is an honor to be up here in the Northeast Kingdom at such a great little facility,” said Scott, who was here as acting Governor while Peter Shumlin is away. “Without the efforts of the men who built and operated Northeastern, the sport may not have survived in this state. They took racing to a new level with well-enforced rules and attention to driver safety. Every race fan in Vermont should respect what took place here in the early days. The track deserves this statewide recognition, and I’m proud to see the place recognized for the important role it played in Vermont’s racing history.”
Also on hand for the dedication was veteran motorsports broadcaster and Vermont native Ken Squier, who handled announcing duties at Northeastern from 1959 to 1961. Having opened his own track in Barre in 1960 (the famed Thunder Road), demands on Squier’s time were increasing by late 1961.
As millions of fans know, Squier went on to become the voice of CBS Sports’ auto racing coverage, bringing big-league stock car racing into the living rooms of Americans who had never witnessed it before. Having the “Dean of motor sports broadcasters,” on hand in Waterford was indeed very special. Squier doesn’t like the attention, but he’s already in a few and will be inducted into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame for Media Excellence as part of the Class of 2013.
“Coming up here brings back so many wonderful memories,” Squier said. “Seeing so many of the folks that made this place so special is a real treat. Charlie Ely and the folks that ran this place did it right from the very start. They had frequent meetings, they discussed how things should be done and a then went out and put on some great races. It was a grand time in racing, and Northeastern Speedway provided some wonderful memories. I’m delighted to be a part of this very special day.”
Bellefeuille was a longtime race fan before purchasing the speedway grounds from the late Clem Potvin in early 2008. Since taking possession of this land, he and hard-working assistant Alan Pike have cleared away what Mother Nature did to reclaim the track over a 40-plus year time frame.
Other special guests on hand for Friday’s dedication ceremony include 1960 track champion Glenn Andrews, Harold ‘Hardluck’ Hanaford, former track official Harold Flanders, drivers Pete Racine, Dick Gammell, Jerry Gadapee, Glen Gadapee, Paul Belknap, Ken Robinson, Cuffy Cuthbertson and Skip Easter, along with longtime track worker Ken Gammell.
On July 18, 2009, exactly 50 years after the speedway held its first race, the Bellefeuilles hosted a 50-year reunion at the restored facility to honor former drivers, team members and track officials. On hand that day was 1959 track champion Johnny Gammell, of St. Johnsbury, who was also on hand for today’s dedication ceremony. The reunion drew fans and restored Coupes from around the state.
“This is a very special day for Lise and me,” Bellefeuille said. “The reunion in 2009 was also very magical, a day that people still talk about with a smile. Yet today represents the big picture, it shows the important role Northeastern played in racing’s early growth. Having this beautiful marker erected, and to have Lt. Governor Scott and Ken Squier join us means so very much. Lise and I thank everyone involved in making this incredible moment a reality.”
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