The Mud
Vallejo Speedway was at "sea-level" and that is why it was able to retain most of it's moisture. The black, sticky, bay bottom mud is what type of racing surface it was. The term for that type of clay is "black gumbo mud" because it really doesn't deteriorate or lose moisture, a lot like Knoxville in Iowa, lightning quick and smooth as silk.
Frank Blado was someone who loved his job as track manager, He would start as soon as the nights events were over preparing the racing surface for the next race. l heard many comments from many and various drivers of all different types of cars that Vallejo was THE BEST PREPARED CLAY OVAL THEY HAVE EVER RACED ON AND THEY LOVED TO COME HERE. These drivers drove Hardtops, Super-modified, Sprint cars and Midgets. Frank Blado knew every nuance, quirk, every inch that would give the speedway it's character and enable the FANTASTIC more often than not two and even three-wide hardtop racing action. He once said "you buy a ticket for a whole seat, but only use the edge of it". Thanks Frank for a lifetime of memories.
Mike Haney
Frank Blado was someone who loved his job as track manager, He would start as soon as the nights events were over preparing the racing surface for the next race. l heard many comments from many and various drivers of all different types of cars that Vallejo was THE BEST PREPARED CLAY OVAL THEY HAVE EVER RACED ON AND THEY LOVED TO COME HERE. These drivers drove Hardtops, Super-modified, Sprint cars and Midgets. Frank Blado knew every nuance, quirk, every inch that would give the speedway it's character and enable the FANTASTIC more often than not two and even three-wide hardtop racing action. He once said "you buy a ticket for a whole seat, but only use the edge of it". Thanks Frank for a lifetime of memories.
Mike Haney
(Shot of the 1/4 mile under construction)