While reading about Shreveport’s unique past, I stumbled upon a piece of Shreveport’s history that I initially thought was a fabrication. Surely, if Shreveport had once hosted a half-mile racing track on its fairgrounds, I would have known, right? Wrong. A swift Google search proved my local historical knowledge lacking and unveiled the fascinating past of the Louisiana State Fair Speedway.
Nestled on the fairgrounds adjacent to the Hirsch Coliseum and Independence Stadium, this speedway was not just any racetrack. It was a hub of high-speed, tire-screeching action that once pulsed with the roars of engines and cheering crowds. The next time you find yourself walking across these grounds on your way to a Mudbugs hockey game, take a moment to imagine the legendary racers who once battled it out where you stand.
The wheels of NASCAR itself once graced our slice of Louisiana. In fact, the only NASCAR race ever sanctioned in Louisiana took place right here in 1953. The winner? None other than racing legend Lee Petty. But the speedway’s story began even earlier, with its first recorded race in 1949—an IMCA stock car race won by Buddy Keith. Over the years, the track predominantly featured IMCA sanctioned stock car races, except for that single NASCAR event.
The final lap of the speedway’s history was in 1969 during the Pelican 200, where Ernie Derr claimed victory. After that, the roar of engines faded into silence, and the track was left to the annals of history.
Rediscovering the Louisiana State Fair Speedway has been a reminder of how much history lies beneath our everyday paths and how a little curiosity can lead to meaningful connections with our heritage. Shreveport’s racing legacy may have dimmed, but it’s far from forgotten.
For those interested in more interesting photos and stories from those days, I highly recommend checking out this GALLERY.
