Through 85 years, SPEED SPORT has covered all of racing’s major events. We dug into the archives to take a look at some of the unique stories we’ve covered over the years.

• Gasoline Alley

Paterson, N.J., was ground zero for Depression era racers to spend their summers while competing on the East Coast. A specific area in town became known as Gasoline Alley.

Midget racing began in California in June 1933, an evolution of the so-called Big Cars. Midgets brought racing to small towns and country fairgrounds, creating a huge new audience of fans.

Commissioned by Earl Gilmore and designed by Leo Goossen, the Offenhauser midget engine came to fruition in the late 1930s and dominated the sport for years.

• AAA Leaves

Stung by tragedies at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 24 Hours of Le Mans during the 1955 season, the American Automobile Ass’n withdrew from sanctioning races, leaving a huge void in the sport.

• USAC Arrives

With AAA out of the sport, the United States Auto Club was created to organize open-wheel racing from coast to coast.

The first NASCAR Strictly Stock race was run on June 19, 1949, at Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway with Jim Roper scoring the victory.

After decades of racing on Daytona Beach, NASCAR founder Bill France built Daytona Int’l Speedway. The 2.5-mile superspeedway opened in 1959 with Lee Petty winning the inaugural Daytona 500 in a photo-finish.

• Off The Streets

Wally Parks founded the National Hot Rod Ass’n in 1951, taking drag racing off of the streets and on to race tracks.

The inaugural Knoxville Nationals was run in 1961 with Roy Robbins claiming the $1,000 first-place prize at Iowa’s Knoxville Raceway. The event will be run for the 59th time Aug. 7-10, paying $150,000 to win.

Earl Baltes built Ohio’s Eldora Speedway in 1954 as a quarter-mile dirt oval. The track was lengthened to a half-mile in 1958 and its legend grew from there. Baltes operated the track until 2004 when it was sold to NASCAR champion Tony Stewart, who continues to upgrade the facility.

• Chili Bowl

Emmett Hahn and Lanny Edwards could never have imagined what was to come when they organized the first Chili Bowl Midget Nationals indoors in Tulsa, Okla. After Rich Vogler won the inaugural two-night race in 1987, the event has grown to six nights of racing and become iconic in the racing world.

• The Outlaws

The first World of Outlaws sprint car race was run at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on March 18, 1978, with Jimmy Boyd taking the checkered flag.

• Open-Wheel Wars

USAC controlled Indy car racing until 1979 when Championship Auto Racing Teams was created. The Champ Car World Series ruled the roost until the Indy Racing League was created in 1995 and ran its first race the following season.

There were a pair of Indy car series for more than a decade, but in 2008 the two series were united under the IndyCar banner.

• $1 Million

Donnie Moran earned $1 million for winning the inaugural running of The Dream dirt late model race at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway. The one-time $1 million winner’s purse was the brainchild of promoter Earl Baltes.

• British Invasion

It wasn’t the Beatles, but for motorsports it may have been bigger. When Jack Brabham drove the first rear-engined car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1961, it marked the beginning of the end for the traditional front-engined roadster. Jim Clark completed the transition by winning Indy in a rear-engined machine in 1965.

Tom Sneva was the first to turn a 200-mph lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, turning a 200.535 mph circuit of the 2.5-mile track in 1977.

• Four-Timers

A.J. Foyt became the first of three four-time Indianapolis 500 winners in 1977. Al Unser won his fourth 500 in 1987 and Rick Mears topped The Greatest Spectacle in Racing for the fourth time in 1991.

• The Beginning

When Dick Vieldhouse sold a single ad to the Pyroil Co. in 1932, it led to the Bergen Herald adding a racing section. Two years later, the first issue of National Auto Racing News was published. The name was changed to National Speed Sport News in 1943 and the rest is history.

• Column Names

The columnists whose words have appeared in the pages of SPEED SPORT are far too many to name, and so are the colorful names of the columns.

We felt it appropriate to share our favorites:  Benzine Banter, Speed Talk, Allegheny Amblings, California Comments, Motor City Memo, Goggle Gossip, The Ambling Announcer, Chicago Chips, Chicago Sparks, Tappet Noise, Back Fire, Neptune Notes, Racing Daze and Knights, Midget Muttering, Round and Round, Speedway Sputterings, The Railbird, Hoosier Hoopla, Rebel Rods, The Long Look, American Scene, West Coast Wanderings, Hill On Wheels, Racing About, Illini Inklings, The Grandstand View, Yankee Clippings, Motor Mumblings, Hoosier Hilites and Diggings, Doings & Dirt.

• One Of Many

Don Figler is one of the many volunteer contributors to SPEED SPORT through the years.

Don has photographed racing from the local short tracks near his home in St. Louis to the Indianapolis 500. Without Don and hundreds like him located from coast to coast, SPEED SPORT would never have existed

We thank you all.

ELKHART, Wis. – Henry Repeating Arms and Road America have reached an agreement naming Henry Repeating Arms as the title sponsor of the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the track.

The Henry 180, scheduled for Aug. 8, 2020, takes place less than 300 miles away from Henry Repeating Arms’ 138,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Rice Lake, Wis.

“We’re fortunate to have such a unique track in our home state of Wisconsin. The drivers love it, the track is beautiful, and the racing is always exciting,” said Anthony Imperato, president and owner of Henry Repeating Arms. He continues, “The Henry 180 is going to be a very special race on the NASCAR Xfinity Series calendar in 2020 and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Road America and Stewart-Haas Racing.”

During the press conference at Road America, Henry Repeating Arms explained their current partnership with Stewart-Haas racing extending to the Henry 180. Cole Custer will be driving the No. 00 Henry Ford Mustang during the CTECH Manufacturing 180 at Road America on Saturday.

“We have used Haas Automation CNC machines for years to manufacture our lever action rifles and shotguns,” says Andy Wickstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Henry Repeating Arms. “We share a ‘Made in America’ DNA so the partnership is a great fit with our company, and we are proud to continue working with them at the Henry 180,” Wickstrom concluded.

Both the pole qualifying winner and the race winner of the Henry 180 will receive custom lever action rifles manufactured by Henry Repeating Arms.

SILVERSTONE, England – Fabio Quartararo established a new lap record during MotoGP practice to lead the practice charts Friday at England’s Silverstone Circuit.

Quartararo put his Petronas Yamaha SRT bike on top with a 1:59.225, though his lap had to be reviewed after practice after it was initially thrown out for exceeding track limits.

Upon review it was determined Quartararo had stayed within the track limits. His time was reinstated, officially making him the fastest man on track Friday and the new track record holder at Silverstone in MotoGP competition.

MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez was second fastest Friday, sitting .251 seconds behind Quartararo on his Repsol Honda entry despite a crash during the second practice.

Maverick Vinales was third fastest overall aboard his factory Yamaha bike. Valentino Rossi finished fourth, though like Quartararo his time had to be reviewed before it was confirmed after the second practice.

Cal Crutchlow ended the day fifth fastest overall, followed by Andrea Dovizioso, Franco Morbidelli, Miguel Oliveira, Jack Miller and Danilo Petrucci.

CONCORD, N.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board has released the preliminary report from the investigation into the plane crash in Elizabethton, Tenn., that included Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his family.

The report mostly echos the details released last week by Senior NTSB Investigator Ralph Hicks, who spoke to the members of the media on Aug. 16, a day after the plane crash.

The report states that according to airport surveillance footage, the plane bounced twice before continuing airborne down the runway until it touched down for a third time with approximately 1,000 feet of paved surface left.

The video then showed the right main landing gear collapse and the outboard section of the right win make contact with the runway. The plane then left the runway, going through an open area of grass, down an embankment, through a chain-linked fence, back up an embankment before coming to rest on the edge of Tennessee Highway 91.

The pilots’ account of the crash was consistent with the video footage reviewed by the NTSB. In addition, the pilots indicated that after the second bounce, they attempted a go-around. However, the airplane didn’t react as expected and they landed straight-ahead on the runway and couldn’t stop the airplane prior to it leaving the runway.

No major injuries were sustained in the crash, though the NTSB report indicates that Earnhardt, his wife Amy and daughter Isla all suffered minor injuries. The pilots escaped unharmed.

Earnhardt confirmed Thursday that he still plans to race next week at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series despite suffering from bruising to his back as a result of the plane crash.

To read the full accident report, click below.

Actor Matthew McConaughey is among four new investors to join Austin FC's ownership group.

The club's parent company, Two Oak Ventures, announced Austin resident McConaughey, entrepreneur Eddie Morgan, Dell executive Marius Haas and local oil and gas executive Bryan Sheffield as its newest members during a media event in the city on Friday.

"It is my privilege to welcome my new partners to Austin FC," said majority partner and CEO Anthony Precourt in a club release. "This group knows and loves the city of Austin and the beautiful game. I can't think of anyone better to help us realize our ambitions as a soccer club for this entire community."

McConaughey, whose film credits include Dazed and Confused and True Detective, called the move an investment in the city's future.

"Austin FC is more than a quality investment for Austin, it's a quality investment in Austin. The most diverse and borderless game in the world is now coming to one of the most multi-cultural, creative and diverse cities in the world. Austin FC is a healthy investment in our city's culture and future," McConaughey said in a press release.

Austin will join MLS as the league's 27th franchise in 2021. The club hired former U.S. international Josh Wolff as its first coach last month.

MANCHESTER, England -- Juan Mata has urged more footballers to follow Megan Rapinoe's lead after she used this summer's World Cup to stand up for her beliefs.

Rapinoe led the United States women to victory in France, while also becoming involved in a public spat with U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming "the administration doesn't fight for the same things we fight for."

- Mata slams 'cowardly' racist abuse toward Pogba
- Rapinoe says controversy helped secure World Cup title
- Rapinoe to critics: 'I think I'm extremely American'

Mata and Rapinoe both pledge one percent of their salaries to Common Goal -- a collective fund that aids football projects around the world -- and the Manchester United midfielder believes Rapinoe's stand during the World Cup should act as an inspiration for others.

"She was scoring every game also and they won the World Cup so you can do it, you know," Mata said in an exclusive interview with ESPN FC.

"If you have time to do all the things and you're generally passionate about football, and about society and about how to use the power of football to try to make society a bit more fair, then you can do it. That's what we're seeing."

Mata made headlines two years ago after becoming the first footballer to pledge a portion of his wages to Common Goal.

Raheem Sterling, Hector Bellerin and Danny Rose have all spoken out on topics ranging from racism, environmental problems and mental health and Mata believes footballers have a responsibility to use their platforms to address issues away from the pitch.

"I think you have heard many football players, both male and female, speaking about social topics," said Mata.

"I think many players are standing up for what they believe and I think it's something nice. I think it's good when football players do that, like Raheem, or Danny or Hector."

The heckling was next level.

Here was Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan, attempting to do his bit for the MLS All-Stars against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. But even though he was ostensibly playing for the home team, the fans in Orlando's Exploria Stadium were having none of it.

The game clock had barely hit three minutes when the first "F--- you Guzan!" was picked up by a hot mic. Every touch was booed, and every goal kick was met with "You suck a------!" About the only good news was that given the exhibition nature of the match, Guzan's night was over after 30 minutes, at which point it was Atlanta teammate Josef Martinez's turn to be the hecklers' target.

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"I figured it would happen since we were in Orlando," said a bemused Guzan about the abuse he took. "It didn't surprise me, to be honest."

Such is the norm these days between Orlando City and Atlanta United, who will square off this Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN3 during MLS Rivalry Week. While encounters such as Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders (Friday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN), New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC (Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2) and LA Galaxy vs. LAFC will garner more attention, the Orlando vs. Atlanta tilt will carry its own share of intensity and invective. Atlanta is keen to solidify its hold on first place in the Eastern Conference, while the surging Lions are attempting to climb back into the playoff places.

Whether it amounts to a tried-and-true rivalry is open to interpretation. Sure, there's the geographic proximity, at least relatively speaking. At present, Atlanta and Orlando are the only two MLS teams that can call the southeast region of the United States home. While the two cities are a seven-hour drive apart, the next closest team to Atlanta is FC Cincinnati, which is about 460 miles to the north.

Time isn't on the side of calling this a rivalry, however. Atlanta is only in its third year of play, while Orlando is in year five. There simply haven't been that many opportunities for there to be give-and-take on the field. The matchup has also been completely one-sided so far, with the Five Stripes winning six times and drawing twice in all competitions, including last month's U.S. Open Cup semifinal victory in Orlando.

Yet the intensity from the fans is there.

"I don't know if rivalry is the right word," said Michael Collier, the capo (chant leader) for the Atlanta supporter group, the Terminus Legion. "But we definitely take up a lot of rent space in their heads."

On the other hand, Carlos Alvarado, president of the Orlando supporter group, the Iron Lion Firm, believes the "r-word" is appropriate, adding, "It's become a really poisonous rivalry."

You have to go back to a preseason tournament in 2015, in Charleston, South Carolina, of all places, to see where the enmity began. Orlando was prepping for its first season in MLS while Atlanta's expansion intentions had been announced the previous year, and it would be another two seasons before the Five Stripes took the field. With that in mind, a group of intrepid Atlanta fans thought it was time to take their first road trip to that year's Carolina Challenge Cup, especially with former Atlanta Silverbacks attacker Kwadwo Poku suiting up for one of the participants, New York City FC. Orlando City was among the teams taking part.

When the Atlanta fans left some of their flags and banners out following their pregame tailgate, their Orlando counterparts saw an opportunity to claim some trophies, and did just that.

"They wrote in purple chalk on the pavement, 'Thanks for the trophy,'" said Collier. "They even hung the banner that they stole inside their stadium the first time we played them down in Orlando. They really didn't like us, so we didn't like them. They've been angry at us the whole time, and we just back it up by being able to beat them."

Once Atlanta took the field for real, matters escalated. Prior to the first regular-season meeting between the two teams, Atlanta rented a billboard in Orlando that read, "Orlando, We're Coming to Conquer." The move was widely viewed as Atlanta's front office trying too hard to generate a rivalry. It worked though. Alvarado recalled that the billboard was "mysteriously tagged" with the phrase ""F--- ATL, ILF [Iron Lions Firm], WE ARE HERE." The billboard was taken down a day later.

"The rivalry has been short-lived, but there's been a lot of shenanigans so far," said Alvarado.

For the return fixture in Atlanta the following week, a communication mix-up in terms of Orlando's ticket allotment saw the visiting fans not get as many tickets as they wanted. During that match, a 1-1 draw, some bleachers in Bobby Dodd Stadium were damaged and three Orlando City fans were arrested. Alvarado is of the opinion that the damage took place because the Orlando section was overcrowded, and that the arrests were over the top. The charges against all three individuals were eventually dropped, though the Orlando City front office suspended its supporters groups from the next four away Atlanta United matches.

"There's genuine dislike towards Atlanta and their front office," said Alvarado. "Not because of the success they've had, nothing like that, there's just a lot of bad blood from that first trip we had. For us, that set the tone for everything."

Of course, the tit-for-tat battle continued into the 2018 season, with Orlando City suspending the Atlanta United supporters groups' privileges, after the Atlanta front office didn't identify the fans who had allegedly thrown garbage onto the field during a game on May 13 of that year.

For a league that loves its rivalries, its juicier conflicts have proven to be oddly disposable over the years. Matchups like the Red Bulls and D.C. United, as well as the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes -- home to some of the more epic encounters in the league's first decade -- have been shunted aside in favor of intracity encounters. There is every chance that could happen with Atlanta and Orlando City before the rivalry can really take root. When Nashville enters the league next season, it will provide Atlanta with a team in closer proximity. The same will be true for Orlando with Inter Miami CF coming on board.

"Just talking to the Atlanta fans that I know, we're really looking forward to the Nashville team coming in, just because it's going to be a fun game to go to; easy to get to, and Nashville is a fun city," said Collier.

"I think when Miami starts up there's going to be this desire to have an in-state rivalry," said Alvarado. But he also notes, "Things have to develop naturally."

That may be where the Atlanta/Orlando matchup has an advantage. The intensity is there, and the rivalry window remains open. Of course, Orlando at some point needs to gain a victory on the field.

Maybe that will happen Friday and push the matchup firmly into rivalry territory.