70 Years Of Speed: Molitor, Borrello commemorate Stateline Speedway anniversary
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Several area officials recently joined the Stateline Speedway community to celebrate seven decades of racing at the Kortright Road dirt track.
On Saturday, August 29, Assemblyman Andrew Molitor (R,C-Westfield), State Sen. George Borrello, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel and Sydney Wendel representing Rep. Nick Langworthy joined the Stateline Speedway community to mark a milestone few institutions ever reach: seven decades of continuous racing in Chautauqua County.
"Seventy years is not simply a number. It represents decades of hard work, loyalty and tradition," said Molitor. "Stateline Speedway has earned its place in the history of Chautauqua County because generations of people cared enough to keep it going. Bill and Lisa Catania understand that responsibility, and they are carrying that tradition forward with great respect for everyone who helped build it."
The vision for Stateline Speedway came from Leonard Briggs and his four friends — Lloyd Williams, Marv Thorpe and brothers Don and Jerry Frank, according to a submission from Randy Anderson, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame president that ran earlier this year in The Post-Journal. Briggs, a former stock car racer at several area tracks, was the president of the Skyline Speedway, located a short jaunt from his home in Sugar Grove. Briggs and two Skyline partners, Cliff Coons and Lowell White, had introduced auto racing to the sleepy border town in 1954. Initially, “modifieds” competed on Sundays at the third-mile track that was set high on a hill just east of town. In 1955, the highly popular “late models” were added to the card at the appropriately named oval with the majestic view of the surrounding countryside.
Briggs' friends, Williams, Thorpe and the Franks, helped at the Skyline speedway. Williams, a former race car owner, was the announcer. Thorpe, a stock car jockey himself, served as the starter. The Frank boys groomed the track and helped take care of the facility.
A third-mile oval was laid out that featured 400-foot straightaways measuring 45 feet wide and turns with a 110-feet radius and 60 feet in width. Drainage lines were installed in the turns. The trench work was done by hand and lines were made of used pipe and well casings. Posts were driven into the ground around the outside edge of the track and well cable, pulled by Russ Thompson in his pickup truck, was strung between them. Beyond that an 8-foot high wheel fence was erected.
Rough-cut plank bleachers were constructed on both sides of the track. The grandstands were five rows high and seated approximately 1,500 on each side. Next, a crude restroom was built consisting of four walls and a partition down the middle to divide the building into a men’s and women’s section. Each half had six “holes.” Concession stands were constructed behind both sets of bleachers with help from the Sugar Grove Volunteer Fire Department. A parking area for 3,000 vehicles was cleared between the track and the road.
Twelve 40-foot light poles were purchased from REA in Youngsville and transported to the track by Frank Briggs. Niagara Mohawk wanted $2,600 to run a power line to the facility. Allene Briggs, Len’s mother, loaned the boys money for the project. The Niagara Mohawk crew helped dig some of the holes for the light poles while the rest were dug by hand. Tom Blodgett, who worked for the Jamestown Municipal Light Plant, helped Leonard, an accomplished electrician himself, install the lighting system. A public address system was strung.
"Institutions like Stateline Speedway do not survive for seventy years by accident," Borrello said. "They survive because people believe in them. They survive because families return, competitors keep coming back and communities refuse to let important traditions fade away. Stateline has stood the test of time, and I congratulate Bill and Lisa and everyone who has played a role in reaching this remarkable milestone."
The anniversary was formally recognized during an on-track ceremony, where citations were presented on behalf of Langworthy, Borrello, Molitor and Wendel. The officials were welcomed by Stateline Speedway owners Bill and Lisa Catania, who provided a tour of the facility and an opportunity to visit the pits and speak with members of the racing community before the evening's events.
"Stateline Speedway is more than a racetrack -- it's a place that has been part of the fabric of our community and part of my own family's story for generations. I grew up spending time at Stateline, and racing was a big part of my family, so it was especially meaningful to recognize this incredible 70-year milestone. For generations, Stateline has brought families together, supported local racers, and created memories that people across our region carry with them for a lifetime. I was proud to recognize this piece of Western New York history and all those who have worked to keep the Stateline tradition alive," Langworthy said.
The track has a lengthy history. Stateline opened on July 21, 1956 in front of 1,700 spectators to watch 22 drivers compete for a $1,500 purse, $300 of which went to the winner. Emory Mahan of Warren won the first race driving a 1955 Chevy. In 1984, Fritz Seamens purchased the track, with the Seamens family owning the track until it was purchased in 2015 by Jim and Jean Scott and Ronda and Chip Turner.
"Stateline Speedway is part of the story of Chautauqua County," County Executive PJ Wendel said. "For seventy years, people have come through these gates to race, to watch, to compete and to spend time with family and friends. That history matters. It was also fitting to have Sammy LaMancuso with us at 96 years old, because people like Sammy represent the living history of racing in this county."
Bill Catania joked that his love for racing, and Stateline, can be “blamed” on his family, particularly his grandfather in the early 1960s and, later, his father, beginning in the mid-1970s. So by the late 1990s, Bill Catania found himself behind the wheel at dirt and asphalt tracks in the tri-state area before moving and competing in the southern United States.
Catania and his wife, Lisa, purchased the track in 2024.
"Stateline Speedway belongs to the people who have supported it for generations," Bill and Lisa Catania said. "We are grateful to everyone who has raced here, worked here, sponsored events, brought their families to the track and helped keep this tradition alive. We also thank Congressman Langworthy, Senator Borrello, Assemblyman Molitor and County Executive Wendel for recognizing this anniversary and helping us mark an important moment in Stateline's history."
Following the formal presentation, officials joined the speedway community for a ceremonial lap around the track.