A field of cars takes the green flag in a heat race at the Jackson County Speedway on May 16, 1948. Photo courtesy Harold & C.L. Pritchett

By Brandon Reed
Posted in Feature Stories 8/6/09

Three miles outside of Jefferson, Georgia, the Damon Gause bypass crosses over a piece of history.

If you drive out towards Athens on the 129 bypass, and you look in just the right spot, you can still see a little of it.

It’s the Jackson County Speedway, the first known racetrack in Jackson County.  In its day, it drew some of the fastest and best drivers to its high-banked turns.

The two lanes of the bypass cross over the front and backstretch of the track near the south turns. The track operated in the late 40’s, and has stood for many years forgotten.

But in it’s day, it was the place to be.  It became known for its fast speeds, and later on, for it’s tragedies.