---

To the People Who Make Willamette Speedway Possible

To the People Who Make Willamette Speedway Possible

Under the glow of the Saturday night lights, the roar of engines fills the air. The scent of burning fuel and fresh popcorn mingles, creating a symphony of sensations that every race fan knows by heart. But beyond the checkered flags and victory lane, beyond the roaring crowd and the dazzling spectacle, lies the true essence of Willamette Speedway—its people.

This track was born from a vision, a dream that became reality in 1966, thanks to Clair Arnold. A true dirt track legend, Clair laid the foundation for what would become one of the most iconic tracks on the West Coast. His dedication, passion, and relentless pursuit of great racing shaped Willamette Speedway into what it is today. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in every lap turned on this hallowed dirt.

In the years that followed, the track saw changes and challenges, but its future was secured when Jimmy and Jerry Schram took ownership. They didn’t just maintain Willamette Speedway—they completely reconfigured and rebuilt it, turning it into one of the nicest racing facilities on the West Coast. Their vision and investment set a new standard for motorsports facilities, ensuring that Willamette Speedway would remain alive, thriving, and ready for the future. Thanks to their dedication, the track stands today as a testament to what happens when passion meets progress.

Today, Cory and Sandy Penfold carry the torch, facing the challenges of running a racetrack head-on. They take on the financial risks, the sleepless nights, the tough calls, and the responsibility of ensuring that each race night is an experience to remember. Their goal? To keep Clair Arnold’s vision alive and ensure that Willamette Speedway remains a place where racers and fans can come together for generations to come.

But they don’t do it alone. It takes an entire team of dedicated individuals, each playing a crucial role.

To Bill Arnold, your work is both an art and a science. You spend countless hours before the sun rises and long after it sets, sculpting the perfect racing surface. Through rain, heat, and changing conditions, you ensure that Willamette Speedway provides the best racing possible. Your work is often overlooked, but without you, there would be no show. Thank you.

To the Race Director and Officials, yours is a job of constant scrutiny. Every call you make will be praised by one and criticized by another. You stand firm, making tough decisions in the heat of battle, ensuring fairness and safety while keeping the show moving. Your job isn’t easy, but it’s essential. Without you, chaos would reign. Thank you.

To the Flagger, perched high above the track, you are the silent conductor of the race. With each wave of the flag, you control the rhythm of the event—green for go, yellow for caution, white for the final lap, and checkered for the victory. Your split-second decisions affect the outcome of every race, and your focus must never waver. Thank you for your dedication and precision.

To the Announcer, you are the voice of Willamette Speedway, turning a night at the races into a story worth telling. You bring the battles to life, honor the history, and ignite the passion in every fan young and old. Through excitement and heartbreak, you keep the energy alive. Thank you.

To the Scorers and Timekeepers, precision is your game. In a sport where seconds matter, you are the ones ensuring that every lap, every fraction of a second, is recorded with unwavering accuracy. You work in silence, yet the outcome of every race depends on you. Thank you.

To the Safety Crew and Track Officials, you are the first responders when things go wrong. You run toward danger while others look on. You are the unsung heroes who ensure that drivers go home at the end of the night. Your quick actions and bravery save lives. Thank you.

To the Pit Stewards and Tech Inspectors, you enforce the rules, keep the pits organized, and maintain a level playing field. You deal with tempers, frustration, and the unrelenting pace of race night, ensuring fair competition and a smoothly run event. Thank you.

To the Media and Broadcasting Teams, you are the eyes and ears of Willamette Speedway beyond the grandstands. Whether through photography, live streaming, social media updates, or post-race highlights, you bring the excitement to those who can’t be there in person. Your work captures the emotion, the action, and the unforgettable moments that make racing at Willamette Speedway special. You help build the legacy of this track, one frame and one broadcast at a time. Thank you.

To the Security Team, you are the silent guardians of race night. Whether handling conflicts, ensuring safety, or simply keeping an eye on the crowd, your presence ensures that everyone can enjoy the races in a safe environment. Your job is often unnoticed until it’s needed the most. Thank you.

To the Concessions Team, you keep the fans fueled and ready for race night. From hot dogs and burgers to cold drinks and sweet treats, your hard work behind the counter brings comfort and tradition to the Willamette Speedway experience. Thank you.

To the Runners, you are the glue that holds it all together. Whether delivering messages, Keeping supplies stocked or, Emptying trashes during an event helps make sure every part of the operation runs smoothly, your behind-the-scenes efforts are invaluable. You are constantly on the move, ensuring that everything is where it needs to be. Thank you.

To the Entrance Gate Team, you are the first face people see when they arrive at the track. You welcome the fans, handle the rush, scan the tickets, and set the tone for the night. Your work keeps everything running efficiently, ensuring that race night starts off right. Thank you.

To the Custodial Crew, few may realize just how important you are. Long after the final checkered flag, after the last fan has gone home, you remain. Cleaning up the evidence of a night well spent, ensuring that the next event begins fresh and welcoming. Your work is unseen but invaluable. Thank you.

To the Volunteers, you do this not for a paycheck but for the love of it all. You give your time, your energy, and your passion to keep Willamette Speedway alive. Without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

And to those we may have unintentionally forgotten to mention, please know that your contributions do not go unnoticed. Whether you work behind the scenes, assist in emergencies, help keep the facility running, or contribute in ways not always seen by the public—you are just as vital to this track as anyone else. It takes a dedicated team to make race night happen, and every single role matters. Thank you for everything you do.

At the end of the day, a racetrack is a business. Unlike many businesses that operate five to seven days a week, a local speedway has but one or two nights to make it count. Every event is a gamble, every decision crucial. It must entertain, inspire, and sustain itself financially while remaining the home that racers and fans have cherished for generations.

Back in the Pit Area, it is a sporting event—competitors pushing themselves and their machines to the limit. But in the front, it is entertainment—a place where families gather, where memories are made, where the thrill of speed brings people together. It takes an incredible team of strong individuals to balance these worlds, to make each event happen, to keep the heart of the speedway beating.

To The Fans, thank you for coming back, for cheering, for making Saturday nights something special.

To the Competitors, thank you for the show, the passion, the risk, and the love of racing that fuels this sport.

Here’s to Willamette Speedway, to the legacy of Clair Arnold, and to those who keep it alive for generations to come.

---

Back to News