"Wheels of Steel" exhibit showcases Valley car culture

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Ryan Martino, a Youngstown native, grew up at the racetrack.

He attributes his passion for cars to his father, a national racing standout. Together they run Martino Motorsports, a local drag-racing team.

Months ago, Martino suggested to Mahoning Valley Historical Society board members that the Tyler History Center stage an exhibit on the Valley’s car culture.

That idea became a reality this weekend with the debut of the center’s “Wheels of Steel” exhibit. To highlight the exhibit’s opening, the museum hosted an outdoor car show Saturday on West Federal Street.

William Lawson, MVHS exectuive director, was pleased to see close to 50 enthusiasts turn out for the car show despite the afternoon’s dreary, rainy weather.

Lawson said a celebration of cars was a natural fit for the Valley.

“Cars are big here,” Lawson said. “I think we kind of struck a nerve.”

In addition to playing a vital role in the manufacture of cars, the Valley once possessed several speedways for drag racing.

The “Wheels of Steel” exhibit includes a sign from the Canfield Speedway, which operated from 1946 to 1974, as well as artifacts relating to the now-defunct Sharon and Howland speedways.

Howland opened its speedway in 1957 after the Road Knights car club petitioned township authorities.

In addition to older pieces, such as the winning vehicle from the 1968 Greater Youngstown Soap Box Derby, the exhibit features objects from contemporary automobile fanatics.

The Martinos donated several items, as did Fred Rome, Youngstown native and car customizer.

Lawson said that while the Valley car culture reached its zenith during the 1950s and ’60s, he believes each generation brings its own spin to cars. The 1970s and ’80s saw an obsession with muscle cars, Lawson noted, while young people today seem to favor compact, imported cars with digital enhancements.

“I think a lot of people like the era of cars from whenever they were in high school,” Lawson said. “That’s often when they first started getting into cars.”

Martino hopes the exhibit will ensure that an appreciation for cars isn’t relegated to the past.

“I want those kids who are playing with Matchbox cars to look at the history and then have their own interest,” Martino said.

The “Wheels of Steel” exhibit will run through Labor Day weekend at the Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and college students, and $2 for children.