Between 1927 and 1938, Woodbridge Speedway was advertised as “the world’s fastest half-mile track.” Built by Wilbert Baine on the current site of the Woodbridge High School football field, the half-mile oval was made of wooden board with turns banked at 38 degrees, allowing most cars to average more than 90 miles per hour, while the best drivers could complete a half-mile lap in 18 seconds at an average speed of 100 mph. It was regarded as an early proving ground for one-seat cars and attracted famous early drivers including Freddy Frame, 1932 Indianapolis 500 champion, and three-time Indy 500 winner Mauri Rose, along with local drivers Al Ladanzio and Red Moore; Bert Karnatz won the last major board track race. After the fatalities of drivers Johnny Rohrer in 1920, Bob Robinson in 1930, and Bernie Katz in 1931, the track was converted to dirt in 1932, and Fred Farmer was fatally injured on the dirt track that same year. The races were so popular that the Pennsylvania Railroad ran special trains to the speedway during the May-September season, and cameo appearances by heavyweight boxing champions Jack Dempsey and Max Baer added to the excitement.
