Maine had never witnessed what it feels like to host racing unless the time the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway came into being. This was the Speedway that eventually became the cornerstone of stock cars for NASCAR’s seven long decades. The foundation of the Speedway was laid out by none other than Jim McConnell, a businessman from Maine with a vision to bring racing to his place of love. 

The ⅓ mile track in Scarborough quickly became the center of attraction in Maine and an iconic venue for a passion for racing. Over the years, it transformed from a dirt track into a NASCAR-sanctioned asphalt oval track. However, as NASCAR started to lose out on tracks, yet another track that lost its relevance was the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway which had formally closed its operations. 

A walk through the golden years of the Beech Ridge Motor Track

It was the visionary effort of McConnell who left no stone unturned to bring his dream into reality.  He secured land, assembled a team, and constructed a dirt track that would soon become a haven for hobby stock racers. From the very beginning, the track attracted long-term and competitive racers, with names like Ralph Cusack, Dick Wolstenhulme, Roger Shaw, and Ray Leach becoming legends within its walls. Despite the preliminary success, it was soon evident to the owner that he would not be able to keep up with the demands. This is when Ralph Cusack took over the ownership in 1981. 

Racing at Beech Ridge continued under Cusack’s leadership. However, it was only a matter of six years before a major change came like the track. The track changed to asphalt from dirt.  This modernization allowed Beech Ridge to host higher-profile races. Consequently, in 1988, it welcomed the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) to its schedule. The track’s growing reputation caught the attention of NASCAR. However, the initial discussions were met with resistance. However, it seemed as though the fate of this track was set to finally transform into a NASCAR track. 

In 1995, NASCAR successfully ended up sanctioning selected reasons at the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. Over the years, a total of 18 NASCAR Busch North Series events took place at the tracks from 1995 to 2003. In fact, from 1995 to 2005 the track also hosted five NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races.  The ACT Late Model series also held ten races at Beech Ridge from 2009 to 2017, further cementing its status as a premier racing venue. One of the very well-known facts about the track was that it was more of a community hub. The lively spirit it hosted on Saturday nights with race-featured divisions like the Pro Series, Sport Series, and even the Wild Cats ensured high footfall. 

To add to that, even the Thursdays on the tracks were not mundane. Some of the events that attracted people include the Mad Bombers, Beetle Bugs, and Mighty Trucks. Joe Porreco, a resident of Ladd Drive just a quarter of a mile from the former speedway, reflected on the transition. Reflecting on the same, he said, “It’s kind of bittersweet. We all kind of enjoyed it because it was a communal thing for the neighborhood”.

Final Laps of the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway 

Trending

1

Kevin Harvick Rejoices at NASCAR’s Lawsuit Loss As Tony Stewart Earns Millions of Dollars

2

Kevin Harvick Warns NASCAR Drivers About Brad Keselowski’s Silent Moves

3

NASCAR Hall of Famer Awaits Retaliation From Kyle Busch After Mocking Rowdy’s Legal Troubles in Mexico

4

Jeff Gordon Demands Answers From NASCAR After Controversial “Popularity Contest” Rule to Favor 1 Cup Series Team

5

Kyle Busch Continues to Ignore Warnings as He Lays Down His 9-YO Sons Career Blueprint

Despite the glory that has been associated with Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, the tracks slowly started to loom into an uncertain future. This happened as the interest in real estate started taking over legacy. It was after the 2001 season that the conversations regarding land sales became extremely common. However, it was finally in 2021 that Andy Cusack finally announced that he would be selling off the tracks to the real estate developers. 

The property was taken over by Setzer Properties. It is a Kentucky-based developer and they had taken over the track with $5 million and a $35 million plan in mind. The track lost a race at the Beech Ridge on September 26th, 2021. Currently, the site is a part of the redevelopment plans to be transformed into a FedEx warehouse and distribution facility. A similar historical raceway is shut down after 79 years of operation. But, every end is a new beginning.   

Beech Ridge Motor Speedway does not roar with the sound of racing engines anymore. However, its legacy endures in the hearts of those who cherish it. As of 2024, the redevelopment plan which originally consisted of an estimate of the warehouse, office space maintenance shop, and employment of 54 employees is pending.