A look at Jefco Speedway (now Gresham Motorsporst Park) just prior to its opening in 1967.
By Brandon Reed
Posted in Feature Stories 8/27/10
When the green flag falls at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Georgia on the night of Saturday, August 28, it will be another page in the NASCAR history books at the storied speedway.
NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series East is making its only Peach State appearance this year with a 150-lap event at the high-banked half-mile track. Drivers such as 2009 series champ Ryan Truex, Ty Dillon, Darrell Wallace, Jr. and Eddie MacDonald will be vying for the win.
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Posted 27 August 2010
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In the number 113 Ford Standard coupe from Columbus, Georgia is Dusty Rhodes – the perfect name for a race car driver. Taken at Columbus Super Speedway by Earl Garrettson.
By Mike Bell
Posted in Feature Stories 8/20/10
Most people don’t remember but there have been several race tracks in the Columbus, Georgia area that are long gone. Let’s quickly review the first two, which were the Idle Hour Speedway at Martin Stadium in Phoenix City, Alabama and the Columbus Speedway northeast of town off Hamilton Road.
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Posted 20 August 2010
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People congregated at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville, Georgia to remember Lakewood Speedway on Aug. 7. Photo by Brandon Reed
By Brandon Reed and John Close
Posted in Feature Stories 8/13/10
On August 7, around 350 former racers, fans and friends of the old Lakewood Speedway gathered to remember the grand old track and those that raced there at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville, Georgia.
A huge contingent of former Lakewood motorcycle racers were in attendance, many making their first trek to the Hall of Fame, as the facility prepares to induct motorcycle racing legend Ted Edwards into the Hall later this year.
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Posted 13 August 2010
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Jack Etheridge accepts the trophy and a handshake for a win at Atlanta's Peach Bowl in 1951.
By Eddie Samples
Posted in Feature Stories 7/23/10
Jack Etheridge was a Georgia native, and lived in Mableton, Georgia, just west of Atlanta. Jack was married to his wife, Roma, for 65 years before his passing in 2000.
Jack had an interesting life, which included 20 years as a race car driver. He retired from behind the wheel in 1954, saying he felt it was time to find a real job.
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Posted 23 July 2010
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Tim Flock and his 1953 co-driver, Jocko Flocko. Photo courtesy Frances Flock
By Brandon Reed
Posted in Feature Stories 7/16/10
When the American automobile racing scene was in its infancy, having a passenger in a racing car was a common thing to see, as drivers would have “ride along” mechanics to help them during races.
These mechanics would diagnose any problems with the car, as well as to warn the driver when someone was approaching them from behind or preparing to make a pass.
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Posted 16 July 2010
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Built in 1949, the Peach Bowl Speedway was one of the most important and historic tracks in Georgia. Photo courtesy GARHOFA
By Mike Bell
Posted in Feature Stories 7/9/10
One of the victims of the New South and the ever-expanding boundaries of the New South “Capital” was the Peach Bowl Speedway on Brady Avenue in Northwest Atlanta.
It all started when Roy Shoemaker built the small quarter-mile oval for midget racing. He spent some $100,000 to $150,000 to build a full dirt track with seats for 5,000 fans, a large pit area off the backstretch and acres of free parking.
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Posted 09 July 2010
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Raymond Parks poses with Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt had sought out Parks in the mid 1990s, saying he wanted to meet the "other great man of Daytona."
By Eddie Samples
Posted in Feature Stories 6/25/10
On a cool summer morning in 1928, fourteen-year-old Raymond Parks did his usual pre-dawn chores of building a fire, milking the cow, and feeding the stock. Then, using his wooden scythe as a guise, he told the family he was going to cut briars by the creek. Searching across a dark cornfield, he met up with some men waiting in a nearby car. A few months earlier, they had offered him a deal he couldn’t refuse.
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Posted 25 June 2010
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The 2010 class of inductees into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
By Brandon Reed
Posted in Feature Stories 6/18/10
On Sunday, June 13, the final round of voting was held to choose the 2010 inductees into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
The final five choices, picked to be the next to be enshrined, were made up of both historic and ground breaking motorsports contributors, including pioneer drivers, engine builders, car owners, and the Hall of Fame’s first motorcycle racer.
The 2010 inductees are Ted Edwards of Atlanta, Ernie Elliott of Dawsonville, Jack Etheridge of Atlanta, Laverne Kendrick of Tifton and Jerry Wimbish of Atlanta.
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Posted 18 June 2010
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Raymond Parks celebrated his 96th birthday over the weekend at J.B. Day's annual party. This cake honored Mr. Parks and his history. Photo courtesy Eddie Samples
By Brandon Reed
Posted in Feature Stories 6/11/10
On June 6, as many have for the previous 11 years, some of the biggest friends and fans of Raymond Parks traveled to Easley, South Carolina to celebrate the birthday of the man we call “The Godfather Of NASCAR.”
Raymond Parks, who, as a car owner, scored multiple wins at Daytona Beach and won the first two NASCAR titles, had turned 96 the day before.
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Posted 11 June 2010
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J.B. Day and wife Willavene at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway. Photo by Eddie Samples
By Eddie Samples
Posted in Feature Stories 6/4/10
At the commencement of World War II, Jimmie (James Bolt) Day found himself in the predicament of either staying home and helping his family through tough times or getting a job.
Choosing the latter, he would leave his Cadillac LaSalle every morning at it’s usual spot, walk the short distance to the workshop, and begin rebuilding Model A water pumps for Smith’s Auto Parts in Greenville, South Carolina.
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Posted 04 June 2010
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