Parents' Guide to

Lost Speedways

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Solid car racing docuseries best for fans; some crashes.

TV Peacock Reality TV 2020
Lost Speedways Poster Image

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What's the Story?

LOST SPEEDWAYS is a reality series that explores the history of abandoned speedways across the United States. NASCAR Hall of Fame member Dale Earnhardt Jr. hosts the series, which features co-host and former hack racer Matthew Dillner traveling across the country to visit "ghost tracks" and learn more about their history and folklore. During each visit, Dillner is joined by special guests, including historians, track owners, and former racers, including seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Richard Petty. Interviews with motor racing historians and archived footage of races and other events are also featured throughout each episode.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This nostalgic reality series gives motorsport fans a chance to learn more about the history of the sport by visiting abandoned speedways that remain standing. From the overgrown Middle Georgia Raceway, under which a huge moonshine operation was taking place, to Indiana's Jungle Park, known in the early days as one of the most dangerous speedways, Matthew Dillner (who's occasionally joined by Dale Earnhardt Jr.) and his guides point out the structural details of each track and highlight what makes them notable. Stories about important races or unique moments are also discussed, often from people who were there. Folks who aren't motorsport fans may have a hard time finding a reason to watch, but Lost Speedways offers a great way to teach and preserve the history of the sport.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way Lost Speedways is approaching this sport's history. What kinds of things are learned about racing at each "ghost track"? How does the structure of each speedway contribute to the sport's legacy?

  • Why are motorsports assumed to be popular in only some parts of the United States? What are the stereotypes associated with the sport? Where do you think these generalizations come from?

TV Details

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