11/4/2025
BAPS Motor Speedway
THEN & NOW
Since 1954, BAPS Motor Speedway has been serving up some of the closest and most exciting racing in central Pennsylvania. What started as a dream of founder Bud Bricker has grown into a cherished experience for generations of families, friends and racing lovers from all over the country.
BAPS Motor Speedway which in 1956 was called Susquehanna Speedway hosted weekly racing where guys like Buzzy Wilson, Bobby Abel, Bud Folkenroth, Milford Wales, Lynn Paxton all competed, and some dominated at the 4/10 mile on Sunday nights.
At this time the speedway was rocking with events and great racing but one of the many things that fans and competitors raved about most was the French Fries. Nobody realized that back in 1954 the fresh cut fry would become Bricker's Famous French Fries which was born in turn 4 concession stand of the speedway and would eventually take York County by storm as one of the top French fries in the county and state. Ironically 2 little boys who became close friends named Donnie Bricker (Bud Bricker's son) and John Trone (Trone Outdoor) would be the young kids helping to take care of the French fry stands as the first jobs.
Over the next few weeks, we will take our fans, teams and partners on a journey on how the speedway has stood the test of time and risen from the ashes.
Journey #1:
The photo from May 1956 includes the front stretch and what is the start of cars lining up for a heat race in front of a huge, packed house.
Follow up photo of what is now BAPS Motor Speedway during heat race action from the World of Outlaw sprint car race in July of 2025.
Photo Credit- Megan Klose
Submitted By: Kolten Gouse
