Albuquerque's auto racing history, spanning dirt tracks and Route 66, has shaped the city's culture and brought together drivers, fans, and businesses for generations. Alan Carlson, an Albuquerque historian, has taken on the role of preserving the city's auto racing legacy. “I guess I’ve been chosen to be the one to preserve the auto racing history,” Carlson said. Carlson's interest in racing history began in his youth, influenced by his father's involvement in the Albuquerque Sports Car Club during the late 1950s and early 1960s. “My dad was in the Albuquerque Sports Car Club in the late 50s, early 60s,” Carlson said. “He was an insurance agent, and he had some of the local racers insured. So they encouraged my parents to take me out to the track that was in Speedway Park.” This early exposure inspired Carlson to delve into the history of auto racing in Albuquerque. “The first place they raced cars was the old territorial fairgrounds, which went to the corner of Central Avenue and Rio Grande,” Carlson said. “That was a first connection to Central Avenue before it was even Route 66.” Several tracks emerged over time, including Navajo Speedway, Duke City Raceway, and Cormit Speedway. “The newspaper went crazy with Cormit Speedway opening here. It was a big deal,” Carlson said. “There were over 70 out-of-state drivers that raced at Cormit. Some went on to race the Indy 500 and be stars.” Drivers competed in midget race cars, which were 900-pound machines with 300 horsepower, known for their speed and danger. “Very easy to get hurt in, if the car rolls over on you, your head was higher than the car,” Carlson said. “The first race at Cormit Speedway, a driver was killed in the last race the race midgets in 48, a driver was killed.” These events brought tourists, drivers, and businesses to Albuquerque, fostering a vibrant car culture. “Even through the 70’s, you drive through Albuquerque and almost every shop and service station sponsored a race car,” Carlson said. For decades, Route 66 became more than just a roadway — it was a gathering place, a proving ground, and a key part of the city's identity. “We had a good time going in circles,” Carlson said. That spirit continues today, reminding people of a road that didn't just move travelers through Albuquerque but helped shape the memories, machines, and culture that define the city. Unser Boulevard, named after the Unser family, also reflects this history, as Al Unser Sr. once raced at Speedway Park.
Albuquerque's auto racing history, spanning dirt tracks and Route 66, has shaped the city's culture and brought together drivers, fans, and businesses for generations.
Alan Carlson, an Albuquerque historian, has taken on the role of preserving the city's auto racing legacy.
“I guess I’ve been chosen to be the one to preserve the auto racing history,” Carlson said.
Carlson's interest in racing history began in his youth, influenced by his father's involvement in the Albuquerque Sports Car Club during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
“My dad was in the Albuquerque Sports Car Club in the late 50s, early 60s,” Carlson said. “He was an insurance agent, and he had some of the local racers insured. So they encouraged my parents to take me out to the track that was in Speedway Park.”
This early exposure inspired Carlson to delve into the history of auto racing in Albuquerque.
“The first place they raced cars was the old territorial fairgrounds, which went to the corner of Central Avenue and Rio Grande,” Carlson said. “That was a first connection to Central Avenue before it was even Route 66.”
Several tracks emerged over time, including Navajo Speedway, Duke City Raceway, and Cormit Speedway.
“The newspaper went crazy with Cormit Speedway opening here. It was a big deal,” Carlson said. “There were over 70 out-of-state drivers that raced at Cormit. Some went on to race the Indy 500 and be stars.”
Drivers competed in midget race cars, which were 900-pound machines with 300 horsepower, known for their speed and danger.
“Very easy to get hurt in, if the car rolls over on you, your head was higher than the car,” Carlson said. “The first race at Cormit Speedway, a driver was killed in the last race the race midgets in 48, a driver was killed.”
These events brought tourists, drivers, and businesses to Albuquerque, fostering a vibrant car culture.
“Even through the 70’s, you drive through Albuquerque and almost every shop and service station sponsored a race car,” Carlson said.
For decades, Route 66 became more than just a roadway — it was a gathering place, a proving ground, and a key part of the city's identity.
“We had a good time going in circles,” Carlson said.
That spirit continues today, reminding people of a road that didn't just move travelers through Albuquerque but helped shape the memories, machines, and culture that define the city.
Unser Boulevard, named after the Unser family, also reflects this history, as Al Unser Sr. once raced at Speedway Park.
