History | Salem Speedway

Since June 22, 1947

From dirt track dreams to paved perfection. Experience the rich heritage of Indiana's most legendary short track.

RACING

LEGENDARY

Notable drivers who have raced on the legendary high banks of Salem Speedway

Chase Adams

2024 Spooky 200 winner (Crown Vic, Big Track)

Noah Allison

2023 Spooky 200 winner (Crown Vic, Big Track)

Bill Baird

ARCA

8 Poles in the ARCA Racing Series, 1999 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Champ, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Christopher Bell

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, USAC

2013 USAC National Midget Series Champion, 3x Chili Bowl Nationals Champion, 2017 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Chad Blount

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

8 ARCA wins, 2002 ARCA runner-up (4 wins, 5 poles), raced in all 3 NASCAR national series, NASCAR Busch Series best finish 5th (Texas 2003), 1 win at Salem Speedway (2005)

Bob Brevak

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, ASA

1990 ARCA Racing Series Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Tobey Butler

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Winston Northwest Tour, ARCA

1987 NASCAR Winston Northwest Tour Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Christian Eckes

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, CARS Late Model Stock Tour

2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, 2019 ARCA Mendards Series Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Grant Enfinger

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

2015 ARCA Racing Series Champion, 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Champion, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Ray Fullen

ASA National Tour, ASA Gran Marque Racing Series

ASA Gran Marque Champion, Anderson Speedway Track Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Scott Hansen

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

1989 ASA Rookie of the Year, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 Wisconson International Raceway Track Champion, 4 wins at Salem Speedway

Brett Hudson

5 Halloween 200 wins (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2020)

Jason Jarrett

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

1993 WKA Sprint Division Champion, 2001 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year, 2003 Bill France Triple Crown Award, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Parnelli Jones

F1 (team owner), Champ Car/IndyCar, NASCAR, USAC

USAC Midwest Sprint Car Champion, 2x USAC Sprint Car Champion, USAC Stock Car Champion, 2x Baja 1000 Winner, Pikes Peak Winner, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Bob Keselowski

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

1989 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Bill Kimmel Sr.

ARCA/MARC

500+ Feature Wins, 12+ Track Championships across Midwest tracks, legacy builder of Kimmel racing family

Andy Linden

F1, Champ Car, AAA, USAC

Indianapolis 500 starter (1951 to 1957), 2nd at Salem Speedway

Jim McWithey

F1, Champ Car, USAC

1959 and 1960 Indianapolis 500 starter, 20 Champ Car starts, 5th at Salem Speedway

Johnny Parsons

Champ Car, IndyCar, USAC

Sometimes referred to as Johnny Parsons Jr. to distinguish him from his father, Johnnie Parsons.

Eddie Sachs

F1, Champ Car, USAC

8 Indianapolis 500 starts (1957 to 1964), 1960 and 1961 Indianapolis 500 pole, 1961 Indianapolis 500 runner-up, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Bob Senneker

NASCAR, ASA, ARTGO

1990 ASA National Tour Champion, 85 ASA wins (series record), 5 straight Winchester 400 wins (1974 to 1978), 4 wins at Salem Speedway

Bob Strait

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

One of the pioneers of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 3 wins at Salem Speedway

Dick Trickle

NASCAR, ASA, ARTGO, ARCA, USAC

1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year, 2 NASCAR Busch Series wins, 2x ASA National Tour Champion (1984, 1985), 7x ARTGO Champion, 7 ASA starts at Salem Speedway (best finish 2nd)

Rich Vogler

USAC, Champ Car, NASCAR

5x USAC National Midget Champ, 2x USAC National Sprint Champ, Winner of the Inaugural Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, 8 wins at Salem Speedway

Travis "Spider" Webb

F1, Champ Car, AAA

6 Indianapolis 500 starts, 1941 AAA Midwest series 4th in points, 2 wins at Salem Speedway (1947)

Jeff Agnew

USAR Pro Cup Series

2008 USAR Pro Cup Series Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Mario Andretti

F1, Indycar, NASCAR, Champ Car

1978 F1 World Champion, 4x IndyCar Champion, USAC Champion, Pikes Peak Hill Climb Winner, 24 Hours of Daytona Winner, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Chuck Barnes Jr.

ARCA, ASA CRA Super Series

Won ARCA debut (2006 Toledo, beating Frank Kimmel), 2004 ASA CRA Super Series Champion, youngest Salem Speedway Street Stock Champion (2000), 4 Halloween 200 wins (2002, 2017, 2019, 2023)

Kyle Benjamin

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

2012 CRA Super Series Southern Division Champion, Youngest Bandolero Champion (age 10), Super Late Model Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Alex Bowman

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, USAC, ARCA

USAC Midget Rookie of the Year, ARCA Rookie of the Year, NASCAR record for most front row starts in the Daytona 500, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Chase Briscoe

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

2016 ARCA Racing Series Champion, 2017 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series RotY and Most Popular Driver, 2019 Xfinity RotY, 2021 NASCAR RotY

Duane Carter Sr.

F1, Champ Car, AAA, USAC

One of the Founders of USAC, 11 Indianapolis 500 starts (1948 to 1963), 1950 Midwest sprint car champion, Father of Pancho Carter, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Mike Eddy

ASA

7x ASA National Tour Champion (record), 58 ASA wins, ASA career leader in starts, laps led and top tens, 5 wins at Salem Speedway

Taylor Ferns

USAC Silver Crown, 500 Sprint Car Tour, ARCA, Indy NXT

First female open wheel winner on the high banks, 2024 Salem Speedway, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Charlie Glotzbach

NASCAR, ARCA

1964 ARCA Rookie of the Year, Record for fastest pace race at Bristol (2 hours, 38 minutes) until broken by Kyle Larson in 2024 by 7 seconds

Tom Hessert III

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

Youngest Driver to compete in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona as of 2003, 6 total ARCA wins, 3 wins at Salem Speedway

Chuck Hulse

F1, Champ Car, USAC

60 Champ Car starts, 4 Indianapolis 500 starts (1962, 1963, 1966, 1967), 5th at Salem Speedway

Phil Jenkins

2 Halloween 200 wins (1993, 1995)

Kasey Kahne

NASCAR, USAC, Xfinity, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, World of Outlaws

2000 USAC National Midget Series Champion, 2004 Nextel Cup Series Rookie of the Year, 2023 Named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers

Mikey Kile

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA,

World Karting Association and International Kart Federation Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Jud Larson

F1, Champ Car, USAC

1958 and 1959 Indianapolis 500 starter, 7th at Salem Speedway

Joey Logano

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series

3x NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Youngest Cup race winner (19 years, 35 days), NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers (2023)

Butch Miller

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ASA, ARTGO

3x ASA Champion (1987, 1988, 1994), 1988 ARTGO Champion, 1987 Snowball Derby winner, 2 NASCAR Busch Series wins, NASCAR Truck Series winner, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Brennan Poole

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, UARA-Stars Late Models, IMCA Dirt Modifieds, Dirt Late Models,

Most UARA-Stars Late Model Series wins (6), UARA-Stars Late Model Series Champion, Texas World Dirt Champ, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Tim Sauter

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, ASA

1999 ASA National Tour Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Scott Speed

F1, NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, Global Rallycross

First American to race in F1 since Michael Andretti in 1993, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner (Dover 2008), 4 ARCA wins in 2008, 3x Global Rallycross Champion, 2018 Americas Rallycross Champion, 2 starts at Salem Speedway (best finish 5th, 2008)

Len Sutton

F1, Champ Car, USAC

1962 Indianapolis 500 runner-up, 4th at Salem Speedway

Bobby Unser

F1, Champ Car, USAC, IROC, Pikes Peak Hill Climb

3x Indianapolis 500 winner (1968, 1975, 1981), 1968 and 1974 USAC Champion, 1975 IROC Champion, 10x Pikes Peak winner, 1965 Salem 100 winner, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Kenny Wallace

NASCAR, Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, ASA, CARS Late Model Stock Tour, Stadium Super Trucks

1989 NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year, 1991, 1994, 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Most Popular Driver, 1986 ASA Rookie of the Year

Jake Wells

2022 Spooky 200 winner (Crown Vic, Big Track)

Justin Allgaier

ARCA

2008 ARCA Champion, Multiple ARCA wins including Salem Speedway, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Dakoda Armstrong

ARCA, USAC Silver Crown

2010 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Chuck Barnes Sr.

ASA CRA Super Series, ALL PRO Super Series

7 Halloween 200 wins (1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009), most in race history, track championships at Salem, Bristol, Rockingham, Iowa and Louisville Motor Speedway

Gary Bettenhausen

Champ Car, NASCAR, USAC

1969 and 1971 USAC Sprint Car Champion, 3 wins at Salem Speedway

Jack Bowsher

NASCAR, USAC Stock Car, ARCA Super Car

1964, 1965 ARCA Racing Series Champion, 1963 MARC Champion, 7 wins at Salem Speedway

Chris Buescher

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Racing Series

2012 ARCA Racing Series Champion, 2015 Xfinity Champion, 2011 ARCA Racing Series Rookie of the Year, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Pancho Carter

IndyCar, NASCAR, USAC

1972 USAC Midget Champion, 1974, 1976 USAC Sprint Car Champion, 1978 USAC Silver Crown Champion, 9 wins at Salem Speedway

Ed Elisian

F1, Champ Car, AAA, USAC

5 Indianapolis 500 starts (1954 to 1958), 2nd at Salem Speedway

A.J. Foyt

F1, 24 Hours of Le Mans, NASCAR, Champ Car, USAC

10x USAC Champ, 4x Indy 500 Winner, 1967 Le Mans Winner, 1983, 1985 24 Hours of Daytona Winner, 4 wins at Salem Speedway

Jeff Gordon

NASCAR, USAC

4x Winston Cup Series Champion, 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona Overall Winner, USAC Midget Champ, USAC Silver Crown Champ, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Tommy Hinnerschitz

AAA Big Cars, USAC, Champ Car

Won the first ever race at Salem Speedway, 7x AAA/USAC East Coast Sprint Car Champ, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

James Hylton

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

NASCAR record holder for highest points finish by a rookie, NASCAR record holder for oldest driver to finish a race at 73 (Daytona 2008)

Jimmie Johnson

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, IndyCar, 24 Hours of Le Mans, ASA, Race of Champions, 24 Hours of Daytona, IMSA

7x NASCAR Cup Series Champion, tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most Championships, 1995 Baja 1000 Winner

Joel Kauffman

NASCAR, ARCA, CRA Kendall Late Model, CRA Sunoco Super Series, United Speed Alliance,

2002 Sunoco Super Series Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Frank Kimmel

ARCA

10x ARCA Champ (record), ARCA wins record (80), 9 ARCA wins at Salem Speedway (record), 1997 Halloween 200 winner

C.J. Leary

USAC, World of Outlaws

2019 USAC National Sprint Car Champion

Jesse Love

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, USAC

Xfinity Champion, ARCA Champion, first driver to win three different USAC championships same year, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Ryan Newman

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, USAC

USAC Silver Crown Series Champion, 2023 SRX Champion, Rookie Pole Record (6) set in 2002, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Brenden Queen

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, CARS Tour

2025 ARCA Menards Series Champion, 2024 CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

William Sawalich

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, CARS Tour, CRA, World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing

2x ARCA Menards Series East Champion, 2022 SCCA Trans-AM Champ, Youngest to win the All American 400

Tim Steele

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, ASA

2x ARCA Re/Max Series Champion, First ARCA driver to make over $1,000,000 in his career, 5 wins at Salem Speedway

Kody Swanson

USAC, ARCA, Indy Pro 2000

8x USAC Champion - the record holder, 7 wins at Salem Speedway, 6 consecutive

Al Unser Sr.

Champ Car, NASCAR, USAC/CART Championship Car, USAC Silver Crown, Pikes Peak Hill Climb

3x USAC/CART Champ, USAC Silver Crown Champ, 2x Pikes Peak Winner, 24 Hours of Daytona Winner, Oldest Indy 500 winner at 47 years old

Darrell Waltrip

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, IROC, ARCA, USAC, 24 Hours of Daytona, ASA

3x Winston Cup Champ, 1970, Bristol record for most wins of any driver at 12, 5th All Time NASCAR Champ, 8 wins at Salem Speedway

Bobby Allison

NASCAR, IndyCar, USAC, IROC, ARCA Talladega SuperCar Series

1983 NASCAR Cup Champion, 1971-1973, NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (1998), 1 win at Salem Speedway

Steve Arpin

NASCAR, ARCA, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Global Rallycross

2009, 2010 ARCA Racing Series Most Popular Driver, 2008 USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year, 2015 RallyCross Silver Medal, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Ronnie Basham III

2025 Spooky 200 winner (Crown Vic, Big Track)

Tony Bettenhausen

F1, Champ Car, AAA, USAC

1951 and 1958 National Champion, 14 Indianapolis 500 starts, every Indianapolis 500 from 1950 to 1960, raced at Salem Speedway (top 5)

Don Branson

F1, Champ Car, USAC

Indianapolis 500 starter (1959 to 1966), 4 wins at Salem Speedway

Kyle Busch

NASCAR Cup Series

2-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2015, 2019), 2009 Nationwide champion, most NASCAR national series wins (234), record 102 Xfinity and 69 Truck wins, 1 start at Salem Speedway (2002 ASA, 11th)

Jimmy Daywalt

F1, Champ Car, AAA, USAC

1953 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year (6th), 6th at Salem Speedway (1955)

Chase Elliott

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, IMSA

2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champ, 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champ, 2014 Nationwide Series Champ, 8x NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver

Don Freeland

F1, Champ Car, AAA, USAC

8 Indianapolis 500 starts (1953 to 1960), 5th at Salem Speedway (1955)

Justin Grant

USAC

2020 USAC Silver Crown Champion

Shelby Howard

NASCAR, Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series, ARCA

2002 ARCA Rookie of the Year, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Joe James

F1, Champ Car, AAA

Last driver to qualify for the 1951 Indianapolis 500, 2 Indianapolis 500 starts, 1 win at Salem Speedway (1951)

Erik Jones

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, ASA, CRA

First driver ever to win Rookie of the Year in all three NASCAR national series, NASCAR Truck Series Champion, CRA All-Star Tour Champion

Brian Keselowski

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series,

2000 Auto City Speedway Rookie of the Year, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Will Kimmel

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA

Youngest Salem Speedway Super Late Model Champion, 8 wins at Salem Speedway

Tracy Leslie

NASCAR, ARCA

1988 ARCA Racing Series Champion, 1989 ARCA Racing Series Bill France Four Crown, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Mark Martin

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, ASA

4x ASA Racing Series Champion, NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (1998), 1 win at Salem Speedway

Pat O'Connor

F1, Champ Car, USAC

Annual title event at Salem Speedway (Joe James / Pat O'Connor Memorial), 5 wins at Salem Speedway

Troy Ruttman

F1, NASCAR, Champ Car, AAA Midwest Big Car, USAC

Youngest driver to win in F1 until Fernando Alonso, 5 wins at Salem Speedway

Ken Schrader

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, USAC

1982 USAC Silver Crown Champion, 1 win at Salem Speedway

Tony Stewart

NASCAR, IndyCar, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, USAC, WKA, UMRA, Rolex 24 at Daytona, NHRA

3x NASCAR Champ, IndyCar Champ, USAC Champ, IROC Champ, Chili Bowl Winner, 2 wins at Salem Speedway

Bob Sweikert

F1, Champ Car, AAA Midwest Big Car, AAA Championship Car

1955 Indianapolis 500 winner, First ever driver to break 100mph on a one mile oval track, 6 wins at Salem Speedway

Bob Veith

F1, Champ Car, USAC

1956 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year (7th), 11 Indianapolis 500 starts (1956 to 1968), 4th at Salem Speedway (1955)

Michael Waltrip

NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona

1983 Darlington Dash Series Champion, 1983, 1984 Darlington Dash Series Most Popular Driver

HISTORIC MILESTONES

1947

The Beginning

Salem Speedway opens as a dirt track with some of the steepest banking, quickly becoming a favorite among local racers and fans known for its speed. The held it's first race on June 22.

1993 USAC Feature Chip Thomas and Tony Stewart Front Row

Paved Paradise

The track is paved and banked at 33 degrees, transforming it into one of the fastest short tracks in America.

1954

1960s

Golden Era

Salem becomes a proving ground for future NASCAR legends, hosting ARCA and USAC events.

National Recognition

The track gains national prominence, attracting top drivers and massive crowds.

1970s

1981-1987

The "Dark Years"

July 20, 1981, a storm ripped the roof off the grandstands, damaged the walkway bridge over the track and damaged fences. This lead to the high banks being unused until the first race under lights at the ARCA race when the track reopened October 2, 1987

Championship Years

Countless championships decided on Salem's high banks, cementing its legacy in racing history.

1990s

AAA Sprint Cars at Salem in 1949 Tommy Matson and Chick Barbo Front Row - both perished

2000s

Modernization

Facility upgrades bring modern amenities while preserving the track's historic character.

The Rebrand

Salem Speedway enters a new era with fresh branding, renewed energy, and commitment to excellence.

2020s

With such a storied racing history, it is not surprising that Salem has developed a strong racing heritage and tradition that continues today with some of the top names in open wheel and stock car competition visiting the famed high bans each racing season to challenge the demanding oval. The legendary A.J. Foyt once said, “If a driver can go fast on the high banks, he can go fast anywhere.” That’s still true today as it was 50 years ago.

HONORING THE PAST, RACING TOWARD THE FUTURE

Salem Speedway's rebrand represents more than just a new look—it's a commitment to preserving our rich heritage while embracing innovation. We honor every driver who's conquered our high banks, every fan who's cheered from the grandstands, and every moment that's made Salem Speedway a cornerstone of American motorsports. The legacy continues.