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| Leo Musgrave Memorial "More Than Just a Race" | by Bill Green
This Saturday night, June 29th, at Sunshine "ACTION"
Speedway, racers and fans from all over the state of
Florida will gather to pay tribute to a visionary in
the world of local competition.
In 1959 Leo Musgrave would visit the then NEW Golden
Gate Speedway and Phillips Field Raceways in Hills-
borough County. The competition was keen and race
action exciting. Fans packed the stands at $3 an
Adult and $l for the kids.
Leo was a sharp obserer of human nature. So he was
puzzled by the numerous cars from his home county of
Pinellas. After checking the pit rosters and noting
car sponsors, Leo developed an idea. Today his vision,
Sunshine "ACTION" Speedway, remains in operation.
Over forty plus years there have been some entertainment
changes locally. Changes from Saturday night drive-in
movies, high school football games, and stockcar racing,
to the high stakes of pro football, pro basketball, pro
hockey, arena football, mega plex movie houses and
shopping malls.
Where Floridians and millions of out of state visitors
spend their hard earned entertainment dollars has become
such a marketing battle and so diversified that few
people can even make up their minds as to what they want
to see for those same entertainment bucks.
So, 42 years ago, Leo sold off a few excess acres of the
biggest dairy farm in Pinellas and built a quarter mile
oval track. His vision was only on a five or so year
plan. Look what he accomplished. This weekend the
closest Saturday to his birthday, race fans of all ages,
from all corners of the state will gather together and
pay tribute to a man and his family that brought racing
to this sleepy little retirement county on the Gulf
Coast.
Late Model drivers from Florida, Georgia, Alabama and
points beyond will test their skills on the South's
Fastest l/4 Mile. They'll run for the money and the
trophy that stands out on the mantel, but most of all
they'll run for the right to be called Champion of
"The LEO MUSGRAVE Memorial". 100 laps of ACTION and a
full night of entertainment, just like Leo & Sybil
Musgrave were giving you 42 years ago.
Sunshine "ACTION" Speedway is located at 4500 Ulmerton
Road, Pinellas Park, FL. Use Hwy 688 exit of I-275,
follow signs toward St. Pete/Clearwater Airport. Sun-
shine Speedway is on the southside of Ulmerton Road.
Pit Gates OPEN at 4 PM. Grandstands open at 5 PM.
Qualifying starts at 6 PM, racing begins at 7 PM sharp.
Call 727-573-4598 for more information or entry fees.
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