One of our many summertime attractions in town is the car races at Rapid Speedway on Friday nights. You can find Rapid Speedway at the Lyon County Fairgrounds, five blocks south of Highway 9 on Tama Street. Arlo Buckley sponsored this mural in honor of her husband Pat, who watered the track for many years.

Racing and Rock Rapids. The two have grown together for many years. Racing in the early years of the track at the Lyon County Fairgrounds meant harness racing. Just like today, racing was very popular. People came from miles around. In the early 1900’s, automobiles were new, and inevitably, auto racing became the new sport. Stock car drivers raced lots of classic Chevys, Fords, and Dodges. Recently, newer kinds of cars like sprint cars have taken to the track. Rapid Speedway sees lots of action every summer
Friday night, with Sprints, Late Models, Hobbies, and Sportsman classes.

Throughout the years though, no matter if it was horses, stock cars, or the occasional figure-8 race, the track needed to be maintained. One of the most important jobs was the job of Pat Buckley, who for over 20 years, watered the track, settling the dust so fans could enjoy the race.

Other artist credits: “Dray Wagon” (1) “Ladies of the Night (3)”, “City of Murals(11)”