| Location | Hammond, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°40′22.1″N87°30′48.6″W / 41.672806°N 87.513500°W Coordinates: 41°40′22.1″N87°30′48.6″W / 41.672806°N 87.513500°W |
| Opened | July 16, 1933 |
| Closed | 1936 |
| Oval | |
| Surface | Sand |
| Length | 1 mi |
| Midget track | |
| Surface | Dirt and oil |
| Length | 0.2 mi |
Wolf Lake Speedway was a racing venue located in Hammond, Indiana. The speedway opened on July 16, 1933, and operated until 1936. [1] [2] The track was described as "the World’s Most Unique Automobile Race Course." [3] [2]
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. First settled in the mid-19th century, it is one of the oldest cities of northern Lake County. As of the 2010 United States census, it is also the largest in population: the 2010 population was 80,830, replacing Gary as the most populous city in Lake County. From north to south, Hammond runs from Lake Michigan down to the Little Calumet River; from east to west along its southern border, it runs from the Illinois state line to Cline Avenue. The city is traversed by numerous railroads and expressways, including the South Shore Line, Borman Expressway, and Indiana Toll Road.
Wolf Lake Speedway contained two tracks. One track was a one-mile (1.6 km) sand track that was completely surrounded by Wolf Lake. [3] [1] [2] A portion of the lake was drained to allow for the track's construction. [3] This track hosted auto racing, while speedboat racing was held in the lake in the vicinity of the track. [2] The other was a 1⁄5-mile (0.32 km) dirt and oil surfaced midget track, constructed in 1935, located between Wolf Lake and Calumet Avenue. [1] [2] Midget car racing took place at this track, [4] with the opening race on June 9, 1935, [5] and races continuing until 1936. [6]
Wolf Lake is an 804-acre (325.4 ha) lake that straddles the Indiana and Illinois state line near Lake Michigan. It is smaller than it was prior to settlement by people of European descent because of infilling for development around the edges. Despite years of environmental damage caused by heavy industries, transportation infrastructure, urban runoff and filling of wetlands, it is one of the most important biological sites in the Chicago region.
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition.
Boat racing is a sport in which boats, or other types of watercraft, race on water. Boat racing powered by oars is recorded as having occurred in ancient Egypt, and it is likely that people have engaged in races involving boats and other water-borne craft for as long as such watercraft have existed.
Among the drivers who raced at Wolf Lake Speedway were Emil Andres, [4] Frank Brisko, [7] Duke Nalon, [8] Harold Shaw, [2] Jimmy Snyder, [5] and Tony Willman. [2]
Emil Andres was an American racecar driver active during the 1930s and 1940s.
Frank Brisko was an American racecar driver.
Dennis "Duke" Nalon was an American midget car, sprint car, and Indy 500 driver from Chicago, Illinois, United States.
In 1935, Wolf Lake Speedway hosted a series of weekly Amateur Athletic Union boxing matches. [9] [10] [11]
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is an amateur sports organization based in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. It has more than 700,000 members nationwide, including more than 100,000 volunteers.
