History
The tiny 0.2-mile oval opened in 1947 and is credited with staging the first demolition derby in 1958. NASCAR's Grand National Series raced there six times between 1964 and 1971; Richard Petty won the final race, the 1971 Islip 250.
The track's last day of operation was September 8, 1984, and it was later demolished.
Why it matters: The smallest track to host NASCAR's top series and the birthplace of the demolition derby.
Timeline
- 1947
The 0.2-mile oval opened.
- 1958
The first demolition derby was held at the track, an idea credited to track worker Larry Mendelsohn.
- 1964NASCAR Grand National arrives[1]
Six Grand National races were held from 1964 to 1971, skipping 1969 and 1970.
- 1971Islip 250[1]
Richard Petty won the last Grand National race at the track by two laps.
- September 8, 1984Final day of operation[1]
The speedway's last day of operation.
The site today
| Physical status | Demolished |
|---|---|
| Mapped location | Approximate historic location |
We have not verified what occupies the site today. Know? Tell us, with a source.
Venue facts
| Location | Islip, New York |
|---|---|
| Venue type | Racetrack |
| Sports | Motorsports |
| Level | NASCAR Grand National |
| Opened | 1947[1,2] |
| Last used for sports | September 8, 1984[1,2] |
| Physical status | Demolished |
Documented details
- At 0.2 miles, it was the smallest track to host NASCAR's Grand National Series.[2]
Sources
- Islip Speedway, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: closed, events, opened
- Latitude and longitude of Islip Speedway, latitude.to. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: closed, coordinates, opened
Research confidence
Key facts on this page (opening, closing, status and location) are each supported by sources, with key dates corroborated by at least two independent sources. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.
Where sources disagree (1)
- Wikipedia notes an alternative claim that Don Basile invented the demolition derby at Carrell Speedway in 1947.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.