Tucker Movie/Lansing Speedway

[michigandriveins]

Looking for info on the "Lansing Speedway" shown in the movie. I realize the movie took many liberties, and I know about the Indy tests, but did Tucker actually test at a Lansing Speedway? If so was it Lansing Michigan or Lansing Illinois? Here in Lansing, MI we had a Lansing Speedway which opened around 1956, which would be too late. We also had a Capital City Speedway which may have been open in the late 40's. Any ideas?

[plancor 792]

The track used in the Tucker Movie was in northern California. I probably have the exact location somewhere in my notes and will try to find it and post it when I do. They used Tucker Serial Number 1005 to do most of the laps around the track but then switched to the Studebaker made to look like a Tucker for the roll over. Buddy Joe Hooker was the stunt car driver.

Richard

[michigandriveins]

Thanks, they used Petaluma Speedway in the movie. I'm more interested in info on race tracks that Tucker used in the 40's.

[pbj247soccer]

Hi michigandriveins, I was just watching the movie again and have been wondering about the same question you have! I live near Lansing and was wondering if that was, what is now, "Spartan Speedway" but, as you mentioned, that didn't come into existence until later. Did you ever come across an answer? Was there a Lansing Speedway in Indianappolis? That was my first guess, but I'm still wondering!

[michigandriveins]

Still looking for the answer. Here's what I know; There was dirt track called Capital City Speedway near Lansing, MI that ran from the 40's until about 1965, it is long gone. Lansing Speedway opened near Lansing, MI in 1956. The name was changed to Spartan Speedway in the 60's, and it remains open today. The movie was filmed at the still-open Petaluma Speedway in Northern Cali. Tucker DID do some testing (1947?) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I'm doubtful Tucker did any testing in Lansing, MI. I'm assuming Hollywood didn't (or couldn't) get the rights to use the Indy name in the movie, so they pulled "Lansing Speedway" out of a hat. Happy to hear anything new, or corrections!

[CFobbe]

Capitol City SPeedway also ran as Lansing Speedway in the same time period.

[Ganaraska]

Tucker testing was done at the Indianapolis Speedway. This is where the car rolled.

When they made the movie, renting the Indy Speedway to make this scene was out of the question due to time and especially, cost considerations.

So they substituted a track in California which they renamed "Lansing Speedway" to suggest the incident took place in Lansing Michigan near the Tucker headquarters. It was not possible to pass off a small track as Indianapolis even with movie magic.

[masondude112]

you guys are all wrong, spartan speedway isnt in lansing, its in my town wear i live called mason, ha what now, sorry i had to prove y'all wrong that said lansing

[Capitol City]

I was born in Lansing in 1943 and lived there until 1959. I used to go to the races at Capitol City Speedway on Saturday nights in the 1950's. It was located off Old Lansing Rd. and in the area of Davis Hwy southwest of Lansing, near the Jim Rowe Horse Riding Ranch. It was a 1/4 mi dirt track that ran old modifieds and late models like 49s. The weekly Champion was Dick Cherry that lived on Gordon Ave. and Pattengill area. In the mid 50's the Lansing Speedway was opened on South Cedar Street and if I recall it was South of Jolly Rd. We used to get through the gates when the track was closed and ride our Cushman Eagles on the track in 1958. Lansing Speedway was asphalt and either 3/8 or 1/2 mile oval. I checked on Google and don't find either of them today. Good times back then.