The Marshalltown Speedway will celebrate its 50th anniversary on July 4 and the public’s help is sought to make it a special event.

Denny Grabenbauer, the former longtime announcer at the speedway, is seeking old photographs, stories, race uniforms and other items to display during the anniversary event.

“There’s just a lot of history in the past 50 years,” Grabenbauer said. “We’ll have a display area so we can do it rain or shine.”

Grabenbauer is also asking for past drivers, staff and others involved in the track who may have moved away to come back to Marshalltown to be honored that night.

The speedway moved from its East Main Street location to the Central Iowa Fairgrounds in 1964. It is known for its 1/4 mile length and its high banks.

“It is one of the original high banked race tracks in Iowa,” Grabenbauer said.

Grabenbauer said the dirk track draws approximately 3,000 people each Friday race night and has been a track the area can be proud of.

“It’s been a consistent factor of the race scene in Iowa,” Grabenbauer said. “Marshalltown has been able to have that recognition for 50 years. It’s definitely a milestone.”

It will also be a big night for the community as the annual fireworks display will also go on that night at the fairgrounds.

Those with old photos, stories or other items from the past 50 years at the speedway are asked to call Grabenbauer at 641-751-2970 or email him at imagemaker81@mchsi.com.