www.queencitymotorports.com
    www.queencitymotorsports.com
    QueenCityMotorsports.com
    DAYTON-TACOMA SPEEDWAY
    QueenCityMotorsports.com
    Page Notes: QueenCityMotorsports.com hopes to find more detailed information about the Midget races held at the Dayton-Tacoma Speedway.
    The following sources were used in obtaing information on the Dayton-Tacoma Speedway:
    May 5, 1997 article in the Kentucky Post by Jim Reis, who covers suburban Kenton County for The Kentucky Post.
    Cincinnati Historic Series book #21 - "Amusement Parks of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

    Last Updated (10/24/09)
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    Tacoma Park Speedway
    Satellite photo of the approximate location of the Tacoma Amusement Park/Tacoma Speedway. (BING.com-Image)

    Brief Track History
    Track:  Defunct - 1/4 mile dirt oval (July 24, 1940 - August 10, 1940)
    Track Location:  Located on the banks of the Ohio River in Campbell, County, the area eventually became known as Dayton, Kentucky. The site is now occupied by the Watertown Yacht Club.
    Dayton-Tacoma Speedway - aka. Tacoma Park Speedway
    Brief History:  The Tacoma Amusement Park opened as a Picnic Grove, Concert & Dance Pavilion that also featured several small amusement rides in 1922. In 1936 Tacoma Amusement Park added a grandstand and a course for Greyhound Dog racing. The plan for Dog Racing was met with complaints from local church leaders, and was deemed illegal by the State of Kentucky. The 1937 flood destroyed much of the original Park, including the Roller Coaster, but spared the Grandstand. In 1940 the Dog Track was shortened to a 1/4 mile and the turns banked in order to hold Midget races at the Park.  The first Midget race was held on July 24, 1940 in front of a crowd of 3,500, and 10 time Indianapolis 500 starter Harry McQuinn won the 25 lap main event.
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    July 24 1940 Midget Race Program
    Scan of the July 24, 1940 Midget racing program from the Tacoma Motor Speedway, Dayton, Kentucky.

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    Midget Race History
    Wednesday July 24, 1940 | 25 Laps Midget Race; Winner: Harry McQuinn (Nineveh, Indiana)

    Drivers listed in the July 24, 1940 Tacoma Speedway program
    Car No.
    Driver
    Motor
    City
    12
    Paul Russo
    Vick & Bob Spcl.
    Los Angeles, Ca.
    3
    Cletus "Cowboy" O'Rourke
    Offy
    Chicago, Il.
    4 Harry McQuinn
    Leader Card Spcl.
    Indianapolis, In.
    15
    Myron Fohr
    Offy
    Milwaukee, Wi.
    7
    Bob Muhlke
    Offy Chicago, Il.
    26
    Ray Richards
    Offy Chicago, Il.
    8
    Duke Nalon
    Costello Bros.
    Chicago, Il.
    21
    Tony Beteenhausen
    Offy Chicago, Il.
    10
    Peewee Distaree
    Offy Los Angeles, Ca.
    20
    Cecil Zent
    Ford V-8
    Dallas, Tx.
    16
    Ott Butler
    M.A.
    Louisville, Ky.
    51
    Paul Jones
    M.A. Indianapolis, In.
    52
    O. Stiff
    Ford V-8 Miami, Fl.
    7
    Harold Shaw
    Ford V-8 Ft. Wayne, In.
    4
    W. Semincott
    Ford V-8 Indianapolis, In.
    1
    Jack Shaltz
    Cougar Spcl.
    Cincinnati, Oh.
    8
    Shorty Inlow
    Ford V-8 Hamilton, Oh.
    5
    Henry Schlosser
    Cont'l
    Cincinnati, Oh.
    -
    Bud Wallace
    Star
    Cincinnati, Oh.
    56
    Don Turner
    Cont'l Cincinnati, Oh.
    25
    Winnie Heffron
    M.A.
    Cincinnati, Oh.
    8
    Wild Bill Fowler
    Cycle
    Riverside, Oh.
    14
    George Shear
    R. & W. Spcl.
    Indianapolis, In.
    28
    Huston Bundy
    Ford V-8
    Dayton, Oh.
    58
    Frank Shaub
    Chev.
    Hamilton, Oh.
    5
    Earl Turart
    Star
    Hamilton, Oh.
    3
    John Shackleford
    Ford V-8
    Dayton, Oh.
    52
    Barney Barnes
    Chev.
    Columbus, Oh.
    N4
    Tommy Gray
    Star
    Germantown, Oh
    6
    Elmer Wilsom
    Offy Toledo, Oh.
    15
    Teddy Duncan
    Offy St. Louis, Mo.

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    Schedule of Races for Tacoma Speedway in 1940
    Wednesday July 24th Wednesday August 28th
    Wednesday October 2nd
    Wednesday July 31st Wednesday September 4th
    Wednesday October 9th
    Wednesday August 7th
    Wednesday September 11th Wednesday October 16th
    Wednesday August 14th
    Wednesday September 18th Wednesday October 23rd
    Wednesday August 21st
    Wednesday September 25th Wednesday October 30th
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