Preserving the Pavement: John Chapman’s Quest for the Midvale Speedway Hall of Fame

Jim Foose – Speedway Action Magazine

Short-track racing is built on memories—the distinct smell of racing fuel, the roar of engines on a Saturday night, and the local heroes who battled door-to-door on the pavement. For decades, the history of Midvale Speedway has lived mostly in the minds of the fans, the scrapbooks of the drivers, and the fading photographs passed down through generations.

But John Chapman is on a mission to change that.

Chapman is currently spearheading a passionate quest to give the track’s rich, high-octane history a permanent, physical home. Just minutes away from the legendary asphalt oval, a retired service station in Dennison, Ohio, is undergoing an incredible transformation. Soon, its garage bays will open not for oil changes or tire rotations, but to welcome race fans into the official, brick-and-mortar Midvale Speedway Hall of Fame.

“It’s been a life long dream of mine to have an actual Midvale Speedway Hall of Fame. I’ve always wanted it to look like any racers old garage or an old gas station. I am very excited to announce that I have made a deal with the owners of Joe Pangrazio’s old gas station in Dennison, Ohio to make my dream happen” said Chapman in a recent Facebook post announcing the physical Hall of Fame location. “For the past 40 years up to now I have been collecting Midvale Speedway memorabilia of the speedway’s heroes from the past way back to the beginning in the 50s and throughout the years.”

If there is anyone qualified to curate this history, it is Chapman. His connection to the facility goes far beyond a seat in the grandstands. For a handful of years, Chapman was the owner of Midvale Speedway, helping to steer the local racing staple before the track was ultimately purchased by the Smart family. He understands the grueling business of racing, he knows the competitors, and most importantly, he deeply respects the heritage of the track.

Long before the idea of a physical museum took shape, Chapman was already acting as the unofficial custodian of Midvale’s legacy. For the past 40 years, he has been meticulously collecting memorabilia, rescuing forgotten relics from dusty garages, basement boxes, and estate sales. His personal collection has grown into an unparalleled historical archive.

Chapman has spent four decades hunting down pieces that specifically trace back to the track’s earliest days. While the exact exhibits are still being finalized, a 40-year collection of this magnitude promises a treasure trove of short-track history. From vintage programs, early rulebooks, and black-and-white photography capturing the pioneers of the pavement, to weathered fire suits, race-worn helmets, and the heavy, tarnished trophies that tell the story of Midvale’s greatest championship battles—Chapman has preserved it all.

Now, that staggering collection will finally move out of private storage and into public view.

By converting the Dennison service station into a physical Hall of Fame, Chapman is doing much more than just putting his private collection on display. He is building a monument to the drivers, the pit crews, the track promoters, and the loyal fans who made Midvale Speedway a cornerstone of Ohio short-track racing.

When the doors to the repurposed station finally open, generations of racing enthusiasts will have a dedicated place to gather, trade stories, and relive the glory days. Thanks to Chapman’s four-decade dedication to the sport, the legacy of this historic pavement track is guaranteed to survive, inspiring the next wave of racers who take to the asphalt.

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