The Oakland Speedway was a premier venue for auto racing on the west coast beginning in 1931. The original speedway was a one-mile dirt track that closed at the start of World War II. After the war ended, auto racing experienced a revival and the speedway was rebuilt as a paved 5/8 mile, high-banked track. Some of the most well known auto racers from across the nation competed at the speedway at one time or another in different types of racecars. This photo, probably taken in 1949, was a sprint car race. The field is coming to the green flag to start the race. Floyd Glidewell is driving the Fry’s Wrecking Yard car, #404, on the inside pole with #31 George Mehalis on the outside row.

Exhibition print originally appeared in Past Times at the Hayward Area Historical Society.

• Framed


• Archival reproduction print from original


• 20x24" (overall frame size: 25.5 x 31")