Links: Velodrome in old Nutley, New Jersey

The links on this page were inspired by:

The Nutley Velodrome - A talk by author Michael C. Gabriele, with Frank Cocchiola, at the Nutley Historical Society on Nov. 10, 2004.

The History of the Nutley Velodrome - Michael Gabriele

Book for sale at Nutley Museum

Nutley Velodrome - Nutley, NJ

The 1/7-mile, 45 degrees-banked wood oval was built in 1933 by Joe Miele, and opened for bicycle racing.

It closed in 1937 after interest in bicycle racing dropped off.

It was reopened on the 3rd April 1938 for motor-racing by Jack Kochman, and continued through until August 26, 1939, when it was shut after a series of fatalities. (See the New York World - Telegraph April 4, 1939.)

Paul Russo was the first auto race winner. Eddie Staneck was the 1938 AAA track champion, Johnny Ritter was the 1939 AAA track champion.

Three drivers were killed in 60 race dates before it was demolished in February of 1942.

Nutley built a park and playground on the site in 1950, named after Father Glotzbach, a priest who worked with troubled children.

New Jersey Dirt Racing

Velodrome Hall of Fame History

75th Anniversary recap by Michael C. Gabriel

NUTLEY VELODROME DAY

Mayor Joanne Cocchiola's resolution honoring the velodrome "as a symbol of Nutley's history" and declaring that "June 4, 2008 be proclaimed 'Nutley Velodrome Day' was adopted unanimously.

The resolution reads:

"WHEREAS, The Nutley Velodrome was built in 1933 on a 12-acre lot known as Joyce Quarry by Joe and Anthony Miele with the permission of Mayor Walter F. Reinheimber and the Board of Commissioners; and

"Whereas the Nutley Velodrome, with a capacity of 12,000 spectators, held bicycle races every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon and also was the site of four boxing matches and midget car racing; and

WHEREAS, the Nutley Velodrome attracted the best cyclists from Europe, Australia and the United States; and

WHEREAS, in 1942 the Nutley Velodrome was closed and torn down after interest in the races diminshed; and

WHEREAS, June 4, 2008, marks the 75th Anniversary of the opening of the Nutley Velodrome;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Nutley would like to honor the Nutley Velodrome as a symbol of Nutley's history; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Nutley, County of Essex, State of New Jersey, that June 4, 2008 be proclaimed

"NUTLEY VELODROME DAY"

and the Mayor and Board of Commissioners join with the citizens of Nutley and the Nutley Historical Society in recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Nutley Velodrome."

The resolution was approved unanimously by all five members of the Township Commission and attested to by Township Clerk Evelyn Rosario.

Nat Bodian - Old Newark

News-Reporting from the Field by Telegraph in Pre-World War II

Where it was
Satellite view

... In 1933, which experts point to as the last hurrah for bike racing in this era, the Nutley Velodrome in New Jersey drew 297,000 people for a series of racing events. The Great Depression, the coming of the automobile and World War II sadly brought this golden age of bike racing to an end. Interest in the sport waned and most of the tracks were torn down.
Sprint Car