Browsed by
Category: St. Cloud Area

Demolished: Abandoned I94 Speedway

Demolished: Abandoned I94 Speedway

Comments 18 comments

This is the former I94 Speedway, also known as the I94 Raceway for a time.  It was right off Interstate 94, in Stearns County, about 40 miles northwest of St. Cloud, right outside of Sauk Centre.

There was some question as to whether this track might re-open after the final race on Sept 4, 2009, but the track has now fallen into such disrepair, it seems clear the track will never reopen.  It was a dirt track for four years, asphalt for about twelve years, and operated with a clay surface for the final season in 2009.

Update: A visitor to our Facebook page says, as of 2016, the track has been demolished and the entire area is being leveled.

I actually raced here once in a media race, in the summer of 1999.  I raced against five other media personalities from the region, and placed third out of six.  You can see some pictures of the track in it’s heyday here, and read the obit for the track here.

The track was wide open on the day I visited in 2012 — no gates or no trespassing signs.

speedway3

During construction of the CapX2020 transmission line, the land next to this track was temporarily used as storage for the power poles.

speedway4

speedway5

speedway6

speedway7

speedway8

speedway9

What do you know about the former I94 Speedway? Please leave a comment below.

speedway10

See Also: Wee Town Outlaw Speedway

Photos by Troy Larson, Copyright © 2016 Sonic Tremor Media

Vals Burgers & Fries

Vals Burgers & Fries

Comments 8 comments

This is not an abandoned place, but if you’re ever on a long car trip, looking for abandoned places to photograph, and you’re hungry for some lunch… this is the place.  Val’s Burgers & Fries.  It’s on Lincoln Avenue in St. Cloud.  They have incredible burgers, and they just fill the bottom of your bag with fries.  There is no dining room, and customers order via a touch screen computer in the lobby.  Excellent grub.