History of Millstream Speedway Owners/Promoters

1954

The thrills and spills, a trademark of grass roots businessmen developed Millstream Speedway. Richard and Jerry August, Bud Russell, Charles Fields, Harold Livingston, Jas Risner, Bob and Jack Zigman, Glen Miller and Frank Litzenberg each invested $500 and Charles Litzenberg donated 63 acres of land west of Findlay. Jerry August served an 11 year term as Millstream's first president.  The cost of admission -- just $1.50.

1965

In 1965, the corporation sold out to Jay Risner, Bob Zigman and Glen Miller, and two years later Dot and Paul Szakovits and Paul’s parents, Jim and Josephine Szakovits of Fremont bought the facility. The Szakovits, who changed the name from Millstream to Findlay Speedway, also operated Fremont Speedway and held racing at Fremont on Saturday nights and at Millstream on Sunday nights

1970

After the 1970 season, Szakovits sold out to a nine-member Findlay group of president Ed Rettig, Rex Tong, Will Leathers, Jr., Jim Smith, Dave Rice, Tom Chatelain, Doyt Woodward, Lou Hindall and George “Shorty” Lentz. They formed the Millstream Motor Speedway Inc. as the base for the 3/8-mile high-banked oval.

1975

Five years later, in 1975, famous Eldora Speedway owner Earl Baltes purchased an interest in the track and a concrete wall was built around the facility. Dean Miracle was a former operator at Millstream and Ken Langhals of Delphos had ownership for two years before selling out to owner Bill Paxton of Toledo after the 1995 season.

1995

Bill Paxton adopted the name of Flag City Motorsports Park and under his guidance the oval had undergone a detailed transformation to enhance the clay-based racing surface.  During his ownership, many improvements were made to the facility including relocating the pit area to the vacant field on the back straight, stoning the parking lot, erecting a pit bleacher and painting the walls.  In 1996, Paxton brought Jeff Gordon back to the track. Gordon had won his first ever Sprint Car race at Millstream Speedway at the age of 14. During the 1999 season, the racetrack was rented from Mr. Paxton by William Mead. The track did not open for racing during the 2000 season.

2000

In November, 2000, the track was purchased by Speedway Properties, Inc., which is owned by Greg and Mary Beth Roe of Toledo.  They worked diligently to reopen Millstream Speedway to the great track it is known for, but several years had gone by without the roar of engines at the facility.  Some improvements were made including building repairs, fixing a fallen front stretch wall, new pit check-in building, redoing all infield electrical service and basic facility cleanup.  (Note: The facility finally re-opened its gates in 2008 to a crowd of well over 5,000 race fans for an All Star Circuit of Champions event.  Other events have been run at various times in 2008 and 2009 with the help of Waynesfield Motorsports Park promoter Dean Miracle or Fremont Speedway promoters Rich Farmer and Andy James).

2010

In the early months of 2010, the track was leased by Fremont Speedway promoter Rich Farmer from owners Greg and Mary Beth Roe of Toledo.  Farmer and crew will spend the Spring of 2010 getting the facility in order to host at least 3 to 4 events with plans to run a complete schedule in 2011 and beyond.  Farmer's plans include getting the concession stand and restrooms back in working order as well as upgrades to the bleachers and lighting among other necessary repairs.

* Special thanks to Larry Alter, Findlay Courier Sports Editor for compiling portions of this information.