Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2021

Raceway Park was a quarter-mile asphalt oval racetrack located near Valleyfair in Shakopee. One woman who became “the Janet Guthrie of Figure-8s,” Marjorie “Marge” Beckrich, was born in Shakopee on June 7, 1954. Her parents were Harold and Marie Anderson Beckrich.

And she loved driving cars!

Janet Guthrie was a professional racecar driver and the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.

At Raceway Park, Marge Beckrich became the Janet Guthrie of Figure-8s! In fact, Marge was the first (and only at that time) woman who raced the Figure 8.

Marge was the first female racecar driver at Raceway Park in Shakopee, where she raced in the 1970s and 1980s.

Many people looked up to Marge, who competed with men, and did well!

Over the years, the lines to go to Raceway Park started to slow down, and during later years, fewer people attended the park. After sixty years of up-close racing, Raceway Park closed in 2013.

According to owner John Hellendrung, there was not enough fan support in recent years to sustain the place. Raceway Park closed, and an asphalt recycling plant was built there.

Marge enjoyed bingo and riding motorcycles. She worked for Scott County Transit for 15 years. Marge was also a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary in Shakopee.

Marjorie “Marge” Beckrich died on Friday, October 8, 2010 at her residence in Shakopee. She was 56 years old.

Marge funeral service was held Tuesday, October 12, 2010. She was buried at Valley Cemetery in Shakopee.

And many people remember the time when she drove with men at Raceway Park and did well!