It started with George Titlow's Summit Mountain Hill Climbs. He brought in Harvey Firestone, Neil Whalen, and Ralph DePalma. When Uniontown's own Speed King beat Indy 500 winner, DePalma at the 1915 hill climb before 25,000 spectators, coal baron, J.V. Thompson's bank was going bankrupt.
The next year the Uniontown Speedway board track was built. Titlow brought in the Duesenberg brothers, the Chevrolet brothers, and Universal Films President, Carl Laemmle. An internationally famous track was born, running 7 wild years and keeping Uniontown from economic bust. Tommy Milton and Jimmy Murphy set 52 speed records here in 1919 that held through the mid 1960's.
Notice the "Firestone Tires" banner cross the top of Summit Mountain. The motorcycle pictured is a Flying Merkle, the only bike that made it to the top that 1914 June day.
The next year the Uniontown Speedway board track was built. Titlow brought in the Duesenberg brothers, the Chevrolet brothers, and Universal Films President, Carl Laemmle. An internationally famous track was born, running 7 wild years and keeping Uniontown from economic bust. Tommy Milton and Jimmy Murphy set 52 speed records here in 1919 that held through the mid 1960's.
Notice the "Firestone Tires" banner cross the top of Summit Mountain. The motorcycle pictured is a Flying Merkle, the only bike that made it to the top that 1914 June day.
Author Marci Lynn McGuinness holds her books, Yesteryear at the Uniontown Speedway and Speedway Kings along with the reprinted 68 page program from that first fatal board track race.
McGuinness has researched the story behind the track for 21 year and has written a screenplay, Speed Kings, inspired by the true story. If you are interested in making an epic film based on this country's early auto racing history and the coal and coke book,contact the prolific writer at: 304 698-6207 or [email protected]
McGuinness has researched the story behind the track for 21 year and has written a screenplay, Speed Kings, inspired by the true story. If you are interested in making an epic film based on this country's early auto racing history and the coal and coke book,contact the prolific writer at: 304 698-6207 or [email protected]