June 29th Storm Damages Montpelier Motor Speedway

 

A violent Friday afternoon storm on June 29th caused major damage at the Montpelier Motor Speedway.   A storm carrying estimated straight-line winds in excess of 70 miles per hour damaged several light poles containing the speedway's lighting and speaker system.  The falling light poles damaged a large portion of the turn 1 catch fence and a falling tree damaged the speedway's fire truck.  Also damaged were several small buildings along with scattered debris on the speedway's property. Crews will begin clean up and begin to make repairs for July racing events immediately.

 

The Montpelier Motor Speedway has fallen victim to strong storms on two other occasions.  A 1916 tornado  leveled the main grandstands and horse barns.  A storm in 1969 destroyed the main grandstands a second time forcing the closure of the speedway for nearly 15 years.

 

The 109-year old racing facility is located in East Central Indiana in Montpelier, Indiana.  The Montpelier Motor Speedway, owned by Harold and Lori Hunter, is a 1/4 mile dirt track that races a variety of classes including Midgets, UMP Modifieds, Super Streets, Thunder Cars, and Mod Lites every Saturday night April through October.  

 

For info and updates on the Montpelier Motor Speedway visit www.MontpelierMotorSpeedway.com

 or join us on facebook at www.facebook.com/MontpelierMotorSpeedway.

 

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A backstretch light pole and turn 1 light pole lay on the ground after receiving damage from a violent storm at the Montpelier Motor Speedway on June 29th, 2012.

 

Another look at one of the damaged light poles, track lights, catch fence, and part of the speaker system that was newly installed for the 2011 racing season at the Montpelier Motor Speedway.

 

The turn 1 catch fence and poles were heavily damaged by strong winds at the Montpelier Motor Speedway on June 29th, 2012.

 

The turn 1 catch fence and poles were heavily damaged by strong winds at the Montpelier Motor Speedway on June 29th, 2012.

 

The catch fence suffered heavy damage from a fallen light pole.  The heavy gauge cables used to keep cars inside the Montpelier Motor Speedway held together throughout the wind and weight of the fallen pole, but caused additional damage to light and fencing posts.

 

A light pole used to light the backstretch of the Montpelier Motor Speedway was broken in the high winds.

 

Broken track lighting litters the track at the Montpelier Motor Speedway.

 

A fire truck used to help prep the track and roll in extra moisture at the Montpelier Motor Speedway had a large tree fall onto it in the pit area. The tree was located next to the weight station.

 

The Montpelier Motor Speedway fire truck is buried deep inside of this large tree.

 

Several of the small building around the Montpelier Motor Speedway were destroyed by the high winds.

 

A large amount of debris were scattered along the Montpelier Motor Speedway's ground.