COLE LENZI FIELD

Track Name: Cole Lenzi Field (aka Cole Lenzi Speedway or Lenzi Speedway)         

Years of operation: 1952 & 1953

Location: Joliet Road and East Ave. , Hodgkins, Ill. , just down the street (north) from Mance Park Speedway

Notes:  athletic/baseball field named in honor former boxer and local park district official, Cole G. Lenzi, who passed away at the age of 95 in 1987…small dirt track hosted ¾ midgets, motorcycles, Crosley and stock car races in 1952 and 1953…1953 ad mentioned American ¾ Racing Association sponsoring midgets races every Friday night at Cole Lenzi Speedway, opposite Stinson Airfield.

The hay flies as Wayne Doerstler (#44), Fred Scholtes (#12), Jim Luddington (#1) and Bob “Rib” Hare (#8) fight for top honors in the feature race during three-quarter-midget action at Cole Lenzi Field in Hodgkins, Ill., on May 15, 1953. 
 (Bob Sheldon Photo)