The old fairground site
The new track first sketch
Lamont Wellandorf, Promoter at Algona and Mason City had a hand in designing the track. Years later he admitted he went a little over board.
11/14/64
The History of Fairmont Speedway/Raceway
The Martin County Fair site, which was located at the intersection of highways 15 and 16 in Fairmont (where the Five Lakes Shopping Centre is now) was sold in 1964. That fall under the direction of Fair board president Harry K. Jorgenson, construction started on a new Fair site west of town which included a ½ mile high banked dirt race track.
Work progressed in 1965 and the first event held was a demolition derby on July 4th. A 5,000 seat, grandstand was purchased from the Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Mn and was finished just before for the 100th Martin County Fair. A figure 8 race was held on Thursday night and on Friday night August 20th the new facility was dedicated. With George Trimbo from St. Peter, Mn as the promoter, Fairmont Speedway held its first Modified race.
On that very first night Marv Dewall from Jackson shattered the Minnesota state record for ½ mile dirt track by a full second. The speedway held a second fair race on Sunday night and followed that up with a special race in September.
1966 became the first full season of racing on Sunday nights. Jack McCorkell from Redwood Falls, Mn raced his way to be the first track Champion.
In 1968 the track switched to Friday nights and added the Sportsman’s division, which quickly became very popular. Many cars were built and with as many as 50 cars showing up to compete on some nights. The races were very well attended in those days, especially during the Fair races where the fans packed the stands hoping to win the new pace car that was being given away.
1971 brought another change as the Modified class was replaced by the Late Model class. 1972 saw the races being held on Wednesday nights before switching to Saturdays in 1973, then switching back to Friday nights in 1976.
In 1984 the name was changed to Fairmont Raceway and for a while in the late 80’s it was called Fairmont International Raceway. In 2000 a new aluminium grandstand was constructed.
Over the years different classes of cars have been added or dropped with as many as six classes competing some years. This has allowed many racers to start at a lower level and progress to the higher levels. Racing runs in the family and it is apparent as many generations of family members have raced the track in its nearly 60 years.
Currently Fairmont is USRA sanctioned track with five classes of cars racing weekly: Tuners, Hobby Stocks, B-Mods, Stock Cars, and Modifieds. With USMTS Modifieds, Late Models, and Vintage Cars running special events.
The last few years have seen many upgrades to both the track and concession area, with several nights of give away items for the kids. With a large staff on hand to provide for an excellent racing and fan experience each and every night.
Fairmont is known for the fastest half mile dirt track in the upper Midwest. The current 1-lap record was set 8-22-15 by Australian Ian Madsen who wheeled a 410 Sprint Car around the big oval in 14.224 seconds for average speed of 126.4 mph.