Williams Grove

Williams Grove in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania is one of America’s top half-mile dirt ovals where the sprint car National Open (the so-called “Biggest Race in the East”) has been held each autumn since 1963. It was opened on 21 May 1939 with a unique layout that combined long straights with tight turns. After a brief hiatus for World War II, lights were added in 1947 for night races. The only round of the NASCAR Grand National series held at Williams Grove was on 27 June 1954 when Herb Thomas beat a 41-car field in front of 21,600 spectators. Williams Grove Speedway has been owned by the same family since 1972 and continues to stage weekly events from March to October.