1905 - Barney Oldfield toured THE MILWAUKEE MILE's dirt oval in 56 seconds - 64.29 miles per hour. Today, Indy Cars circle the course in 22 seconds with the one lap record held by Raul Boesel at 21.719 seconds - 165.752 MPH. The one mile oval has been in existence since at least 1876. It appears on a map, labelled as 'Race Course' in the illustrated Historical Atlas of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin of 1876, located on a horse farm owned by George C. Stevens.
The current grandstand at THE MILE was completed in 1938. After burning to the ground in 1914, the grandstand was built over time in three sections, then merged via a common roof in 1938. The grandstand holds 14,900 spectators. Two historically significant events occurred at 'THE MILE' in 1948. The first 200 mile Champ Car race was held on August 29th with Myron Fohr of Milwaukee winning at an average speed of 86.73 MPH. Also, the first major stock car race took place on August 22nd with Paul Blork of Minneapolis winning the 100 lap event at an average speed of 65.22 MPH. A new day dawned for THE MILWAUKEE MILE in May, 1954 when the track was paved for the first time with a layer of crushed limestone topped with bituminous concrete.
There is no comparison between the modern radio communication system used at 'THE MILE' today and the system used in the 50's and 60's. During that time, air horns were suspended over sections H and J of the grandstand and were blown to signal trouble on the track. One blast from the horn alerted officials about trouble somewhere on the track. Two blasts indicated the caution flag be displayed and three blasts was for serious emergencies including red-flagging the race if necessary.
The entire track was repaved at the end of the 1967 season. By 1970, most of the 1.2 mile road course in the infield had been obliterated with the enlargement of the pit area. The quarter mile oval also went out of existence around the same time.
The most important event in the modern history of THE MILWAUKEE MILE may have occurred in the spring of 1992 when Carl Haas was given a long-term contract to organise all racing activity at the track. Milwaukee was in danger of losing its Indy Car race. However, with the combined help of the State Fair Board, Wisconsin Sports Authority and a brewing Company, the race was saved. In a matter of three months, a new front straight wall was installed and 700 gallons of paint were used to give the grandstand and other structures a fresh coat of paint in time for the race. Track improvements continued under Haas' management with construction of a new outside wall in the north turn and further renovation in 1993. The 1993 race was one of the most competitive ever with nine lead changes among six drivers. Raul Boesel turned the first lap under 22 seconds in the history of the track. He set a new track record at 165.752 MPH with a lap of 21.719 seconds during qualifying. Despite sitting on the pole, Boesel was passed by Indy Car rookie Nigel Mansell with 19 laps to go as Mansell scored his first career oval track victory on the way to the Indy Car championship.
At the conclusion of the 1996 season, the fifth season under the Carl Haas banner, the future of racing at America's Legendary Oval looks to be as bright as its past. A brand new track surface was completed in 1996, and although some problems with the surface became apparent, the track will be smooth once again for the 1997 season. A new asphalt mix, never before used on a race track, will be laid in THE MILE's north and south turns, putting THE MILWAUKEE MILE at the fore front of race track paving technology. Over 140,000 fans enjoyed the three event weekends at THE MILWAUKEE MILE in 1996. As THE MILE looks forward to continued growth, further physical improvements planned in the coming years include additional seating and infield facilities, a permanent press facility and an expansion of the racing schedule to hopefully include a return to racing during the State Fair. What a fitting tribute to the vast and resplendent history of THE MILWAUKEE MILE to restore the State Fair tradition that started it all in 1903.
