INTERNATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE

Years of operation:  1935 - 1990

Location:  43^rd and Halsted St., Chicago, Ill. (next to the Chicago Stockyards)

Notes:  Became Chicago indoor racing “Mecca” in 1940 after 124th Field Artillery Armory on Cottage Grove Ave. became unavailable because of military-training with the threat of world war…building hosted its first indoor race on 1/3/35 with Chicago’s Jimmy Snyder winning the first-ever AAA-sanctioned midget race...no racing there again until November 10, 1940 with Wally Zale of Chicago winning the feature race ahead of Ted Duncan and Jimmy Caris before a reported 7,000 fans…full winter racing sessions held during 1940-1941 and 1941-1942…final event till after World War II held on 4/26/42…indoor racing resumes after the war on 11/3/46…racing held every winter until 1955…no racing from 1955 through 1958…UARA midgets competed indoors during Speed Festival in 1959…first USAC-sanctioned midget feature won by Bob Tattersall of Streator in 1960…USAC midgets competed indoors from 1960 through 1964…Bob McLean and Ray Elliott win USAC-sanctioned “twin 50’s” on 3/31/64…no racing held until 1/6/90 with Russ Gamester taking the 100-lap main event ahead of Kevin Doty, Joe Gaerte, Mack McClellan, Jim Hines and Mike Streicher…indoor sports car race held in March of 1958 utilizing three buildings..winter indoor drag races held in 1962, ’63 and 1964… building demolished in 1999.

Notes…

AAA – American Automobile Association

USAC – United States Auto Club

UARA – United Auto Racing Association