Rochester's Rich History: Spencer Speedway Legends 1957-1977

Spencer Speedway Legends uses the author’s notes and journals to tell the story of the Rochester area’s preeminent racetrack over a 20 year period. It tells the stories of the drivers, owners, promoters, officials and race crews that made this incredible history possible. It includes a multitude of personal information and stories that will be a nostalgic trip for those who lived through the era, and a lesson in the transition from local jalopy tracks to the professional racing circuit for others.

Len Kasper was born in Rochester, New York and grew up in Greece on his Grandparents’ farm. During the summer of 1957, at 6 years of age, his Grandfather took him to a stock car race at Spencer Speedway, then only in its second year of operation. Within minutes of sitting in the grandstands and the cars taking to the track, he was hooked.  Over a 20 year period, able become a driver himself, he kept a journal of every race held at Spencer Speedway (and other nearby tracks) which documented their nightly activities and summaries of the races held. Len is now retired and owned several of his own retail  businesses after his career at Rochester Linoleum & Carpet One. He graduated from Greece Olympia High School and went on to study Business at Monroe Community College and Morrisville University. He is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, Past President of the Lancaster County Philatelic Society, and former board member of the Rotary Club. Len still attends stock car races regularly with his children and his grandson who are all huge racing enthusiasts.