History Thanksgiving Tradition- The Turkey Night Grand Prix

The southern California midget race started in 1934 by J.C. Agajanian at Gilmore Stadium and ran there unit 1950 when Gilmore Stadium closed, it has move all over California tracks.
It has been won by Bill Vukovich, A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Gary Bettenhausen, Mel Kenyon, and Tony Stewart.



Parnelli Jones at Ascot Park in Gardena, California. He won the Turkey Night Grand Prix at that track in 1964 and 1966.


A.J Foyt won in 1960 and 1961

 

Any HAMB-ers out there for this year's event? Gary

 

Anymore history, photographs, or stories.

 

I got home to Manhattan Beach, CA. at 12:05am from my 37th Turkey Night at Ventura. It was a very long day and night with Sprints and Midgets. The last 5-laps of the Midget race was very exciting.

 

From the USAC site... Gary
http://www.usacracing.com/news/midget/item/6878-turkey-night-grand-prix-midget-results-nov-23-2017
And...
https://speedsport.com/sprints-midgets/usac/sprints-midgets-usac-bell-stops-larson-turkey-night/

FEATURE: (98 laps, starting position in parentheses) 1. Christopher Bell (3), 2. Kyle Larson (1), 3. Shane Golobic (4), 4. Tanner Thorson (9), 5. Zeb Wise (15), 6. Carson Macedo (17), 7. Justin Grant (5), 8. Ryan Robinson (25), 9. Brad Sweet (19), 10. Michael Faccinto (10), 11. Tanner Carrick (27), 12. Brady Bacon (11), 13. Kevin Thomas, Jr. (13), 14. Holly Shelton (21), 15. Logan Seavey (7), 16. Spencer Bayston (8), 17. David Prickett (29), 18. Ronnie Gardner (22), 19. Jake Swanson (2), 20. Courtney Crone (18), 21. Chase Briscoe (24), 22. Tyler Courtney (23), 23. Chad Boat (14), 24. Brayton Lynch (6), 25. Tucker Klaasmeyer (12), 26. Tyler Edwards (26), 27. Cory Elliott (20), 28. Frankie Guerrini (28), 29. Michael Pickens (16). NT

 

My bosses son Zeb got 5th. And he just turned 15. One talented kid.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

And brave. Cool. Gary

 

Photos from 2017 Ventura Turkey Night Grand Prix.

 

I got to take in the race one time at Irwindale, but now I have to try to make this one, too. Nice sunset! Gary

 

Was one heck of a race. You could have thrown a blanket over the first three finishers as they got the checkered flag. This was my first time at Ventura. A great little track with good sight lines for the fans in the stands. A lot of amazing talent on the track.

 

Any vintage photographs?