middle georgia raceway

an invoice signed by Brown for the purchase of 24 pounds of yeast, which could The Middle Georgia Raceway was a half-mile paved track that opened in 1966, at the cost of $500,000. The company The first NASCAR race at the Middle Antebellum North Map - Neighborhood - Georgia, United States - Mapcarta Instance of: motorsport racing track; Location: Peach County, Georgia: 32 40 08.04 N, 83 42 46.08 W . The track was used in a few Dodge television . (2012-09-19). Georgia Raceway was called The Speedy Morelock 200. Not quite remembering. I took my Supra out there and an older Porsche..loved it. Byron moonshine legend lives on | Macon Telegraph The 1971 Georgia 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that occurred on November 7, 1971, at Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron, Georgia. Middle Georgia Raceway (abandoned) in Byron, GA I remember well as I went as a kid almost every week and especially the special races. A trap door inside of a ticket booth led 17 feet underground to a cave where the distillery was kept. Abandoned Georgia: Exploring the Peach State, Abandoned Georgia: Traveling the Backroads, Abandoned Alabama: Exploring the Heart of Dixie, Middle Georgia Raceway Magic City Radar, Follow Abandoned Southeast on WordPress.com. Only one foreigner was racing that year, a Canadian named Frog Fagan. He is considering, however, making a more active push to find a buyer. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. The 1979 Southern 500, the 30th running of the event, was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on September 3, 1979, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. The last race of any notability was an ARCA race in 1984 that was won by Davey Allison. The track which has been closed to racing since 1984, was featured in the second episode of Lost Speedways. Matthew Dillner, who works with Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr. Download podcast is the show's co-host. The next year, federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives discovered a moonshine distillery in an underground bunker at turn three. Petty returned to win the 150-mile (240km) NASCAR race during the following season. I put nothing in writing. [1] The final NASCAR race was held on November 7, 1971. But a disgruntled female.???? That would be GRAND ! Richard Petty won four times, Bobby Allison won three, and David Pearson and Bobby Isaac each won once. Promoters and security gave in and opened the gates an hour into the opening acts first set. General view of the Atlanta Raceway circa 1980's at the Atlanta Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4015 US Highway 41 North, Byron GA 31008, United States of America. You can reach me at AbandonedSoutheast@gmail.com. The season began on Sunday January 21 and ended on Sunday October 21. [3] Allison won the 274-mile (441km) event in a 1969 Dodge. Thornton once planned to have a moonshine festival there to commemorate another infamous event in the tracks history. There was no hunter as the story tells. Try to find a half mile track on 100 acres with such a great location and a awesome history. Until it's sold, he says the raceway is still used for special events and commercials. I read the ASA ran some events there and that Davey Allison won an ARCA event there. Richard Petty won four races, Bobby Allison won three, and David Pearson and Bobby Isaac each earned one victory. The bands that performed were: Allman Brothers Band / B.B. I heard a rumor some time back that David Ragan and some of his friends had wanted to try to refurbish the track to run legends cars on the small track that is part of the infield and main track. Theres a lot of people that I think would really appreciate More than 30 acts performed over the 3+ days and the festival drew several hundred thousand fans. raceway in its natural state, beat down and decaying. But less than two months before the track's second race in 1967, federal agents raided the track and found a trap door in the ticket . Then came the festival, now known as the Woodstock of the South, which featured some notable artists. Federal agents found out about it after a hunter smelled fumes and tipped off the authorities. {{Motorsport venue | Name = Middle Georgia Speedway | Nicknames = | Time = EST/EDT (-0500/-0400) | Location = 4015 US-41 Byron, Georgia United States | Coordinates = .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap} 32408.00N834245.93W / 32.6688889N 83.7127583W / 32.6688889; -83.7127583 Coordinates: 32408.00N834245.93W / 32.6688889N 83.7127583W / 32.6688889; -83.7127583 | Image = | Image_caption = | Capacity = | Owner = [[] | Operator = | Broke_ground = | Opened = 1966 [1] | Closed = c.1986 | Construction_cost= $500,000 | Architect = | Former_names = | Events = NASCAR | Layout1 = Oval | Surface = Paved [1] | Length_km = | Length_mi = .548 [1] | Miles_first = True | Turns = 4 | Banking = | Record_time = | Record_driver = | Record_team = | Record_year = | Record_class = }}, The Middle Georgia Raceway was a raceway located in Byron, Georgia, in the United States. and there is a page two --- last two years the reunion was held i could take you to where the real hooch was being run off -- if no one tells i may just make another trip ,for the chosen few. Richard Petty won his seventh and final Winston Cup championship, winning by 11 points over Darrell Waltrip. Petty started on the pole position and won the 274-mile (441km) race. The Middle Georgia Raceway was a popular race track for early NASCAR greats, and the 80 acres hosted one of the biggest music festivals in the 1970s. Please let me know. An interesting situation happened at the track in. Thanks for the great content Abandoned Southeast! Here's how to watch the first eight-episode season of the new racing-centric series. Authentic, expressive discussions make groups great, but may also be sensitive and private. [1], Opened in 1966 at a cost of $500,000, the first race, the Speedy Morelock 200 NASCAR Grand National stock car race, became the location of a speed record when Richard Petty broke the half-mile NASCAR record for half-mile tracks with an average speed of 82.023 miles per hour during the 100-mile (160km) event. But it is not the rest of the story Leon. The 1981 Mason-Dixon 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on May 17, 1981, at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. All rights reserved. Created by Wesley Muncy on March 2nd 2015, 1:39:31 am. My name is Leland Kent and I have had an interest in abandoned places ever since I was a kid. This amount of yeast could have fed the 2) Crenshaw, Wayne. A historical marker at the property recognizes it as one of the largest public gatherings ever held in Georgia. In front of a crowd of 7,500 spectators, Petty hit a top speed of 82.023 miles per hour. 4 MIDDLE GEORGIA RACEWAY Premium High Res Photos 35,014 were here. changing the name to Brixton Motor Speedway on the retaining wall. The subject of the moonshine still under turn 3 was talked about on the Goat Rodeo radio broadcast Tuesday night with the good folks from Middle Georgia Raceway preparing for their Saturday, August 31st Reunion with Richard Petty as Grand Marshal. time, was arrested and tried in court. This short track outside of Indianapolis closed in 1960 after "a string of horrific accidents." Middle Georgia Raceway, once a full-blown NASCAR Grand National track where Richard Petty and other racing legends battled it out, is for sale. races. Middle Georgia Raceway held nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (then NASCAR Grand National) races from 1966-1971. There has been some talk of having another music festival there. The last concert at Middle Georgia Raceway was on July 03, 1970. [1], Opened in 1966 at a cost of $500,000, the first race, the Speedy Morelock 200 NASCAR Grand National stock car race, became the location of a speed record when Richard Petty broke the half-mile NASCAR record for half-mile tracks with an average speed of 82.023 miles per hour during the 100-mile (160km) event. [1] He beat pole-sitter Pearson by 4 seconds and they were the only two cars on the lead lap. ": I was there. The Middle Georgia Raceway was a raceway located in Byron, Georgia, in the United States. The 1970 Georgia 500 also occurred at the track. Richard Petty won four races, Bobby Allison won three, and David Pearson and Bobby Isaac each earned one victory. BYRON, Ga. Driving down Highway 41 in Byron is a hidden treasure, but you wouldn't see it unless you look past the driving range. Pearson captured the championship with 35,638 points over second place James Hylton who finished the season with no wins, but 33,638 points for his consistency and efforts. Here's the Associated Press story as carried by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in its edition of September 26, 1967: thats only an inkling of the story -- come to The reunion and we will tell you the REST of the STORY.. Quite a description of an adventure! It would not take a lot to get the track going again. Middle Georgia Raceway - WikiMili, The Best Wikipedia Reader It was surreal to see such a place silenced. "Georgia's "Woodstock Festival" Receives Historic Marker." During the inaugural race, the Speedy Morelock 200, Richard Petty broke the speed record for half-mile NASCAR tracks. In addition, there is a $5 premium version that has limited ads and is free to existing Comcast subscribers. Race Results at. Sunshine and 70s are the name of the game this week, 'This could be you or your child' | Former Atlanta mayor asks gun owners to act responsibly after bullet enters nephew's room, Poison ivy is getting worse with climate change, Peach County's South Peach Park to get new entrance, 'Georgia Camera Ready' looking for filming sites in Peach County. In front of a crowd of 7,500 spectators, Petty hit a top speed of 82.023 miles per hour. Im unsure if Car and Driver ever filmed there. Byron, Georgia (GA), US. [4]. Middle Georgia Raceway, near Macon, hosted many top notch stock car events on its half-mile, paved surface. On the weekend of July 4, 1970, the second annual Atlanta International Pop Festival was held in a soybean field adjacent to the Middle Georgia Raceway. What's shared in the group should stay in the group. Georgias Governor at the time, Lester Maddox, tried to repeatedly prevent the festival from taking place. Hey Michael your dad was one of greatest friends ever my uncle was Doc Taylor your dad was actually one of the most important people in my life an one of the greatest racecar drivers ever how is your mom doing she one amazing person me an wife used to stop an eat an set several hours with them when they lived in Lexington place some the times. He thinks it would be a good location for a public park. N.p., n.d. http://racing-reference.info/tracks/Middle_Georgia_Raceway attendance varied each year from 6,000 to 10,000 and the prize money also went Village Photo: Bill Golladay, CC BY-SA 4.0. In 2011, Dodge contacted the current owner and asked to use the track for an advertisement. Richard Petty won four races, Bobby Allison won three, and David Pearson and Bobby Isaac each earned one victory. The Telegraph. By Jenna Eason. It needs a Pressbox/VIP lounge, and lighting added throughout the facility. The Moonshine Track. The moonshine distillery was reported to have an electric exhaust system, electric lighting, and electronic insect repellant devices. ], it was purchased with the goal of converting it to a land development site. This was the first season where all races were televised in some form. The 1972 Old Dominion 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that was held on September 24, 1972, at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Pearson qualified on the pole and Petty won his third race at the track. 'Lost Speedways': How to Watch Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Peacock - Sports Georgia's Deep NASCAR Roots | NASCAR Hall of Fame | Curators' Corner Both of the pay tiers will include live sports and early access to late-night shows. It was also the last NASCAR national touring series season to feature a dirt track race until the 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and the last time the Cup series raced on dirt until the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series. Lost Speedways is an exclusive product for NBC's new streaming platform, Peacock. Village Centerville is a city in Houston County, Georgia, United States. Right Johnny M. [1], Over the Fourth of July weekend in 1970, the second annual Atlanta International Pop Festival was held in a soybean field adjacent to the track. The owner has opened the track for occasional events and reunions, but there are no plans to reopen the track. Great photos and interesting back story, thanks for posting it. During the inaugural race, the Speedy Morelock 200, Richard Petty broke the speed record for half-mile NASCAR tracks. 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Marker is on U.S. 41, 0.2 miles south of High Point Way, on the right when traveling south. Even it all the trees and over growth were gone, the track looks like it needs wooden bleachers built over the concrete, I am sure it needs modern restrooms, concession stands, a catch fence, guard rail around the track, surface repaved, the pit area fenced in, with restrooms, concession stand, pit office, then it needs a sound system to both the pit area and grand stand as well as a timing and scoring board. During the trial, the government produced an invoice for 24 pounds of yeast that was purchased by Brown 10 days before the moonshine still was discovered. ], it was purchased with the goal of converting it to a land development site. The only thing law enforcement could do about the widespread drug use and nudity was to look the other way. Jimi Hendrix, the Allman Brothers Band and over 30 other acts performed in front of an estimated crowd of 400,000 concertgoers (the town had a population of about 2,000). [1] You mean the trailer park next door that needs to be bulldozed? The local newspaper described it as an elaborate, sophisticated operation with two fermenting tanks totaling 3,700 gallons. "Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers, we had definitely heard of the Allman Brothers because they were from Macon, at that time, they were the only band that opened and closed the festival so that was pretty cool.". the Georgia natives Allman Brothers Band. This page was last edited on 7 January 2022, at 03:32. 09/05/ 1965. LeeRoy Yarbrough sat on the pole position and Bobby Allison won the 267-mile (430km) race. In the trailer, he walked through fields and sat in the stands at abandoned tracks. [1] Later that year, David Pearson won a 150-mile (240km) race from the pole. The 1973 Daytona 500, the 15th running of the event, was won by Richard Petty on February 18, 1973, at Daytona International Raceway in Daytona Beach, Florida. distillery capable of producing 80 gallons of moonshine a day. [4] On September 15, 2012, an official Georgia Historical Society marker was placed near the raceway to commemorate the 1970 pop festival. Search By State. I saw the trailer for that film on YouTube. I continued to follow the named drivers long after the track closed and one of my favorite drivers was Friday Hasler who was killed in a Daytona 500 qualifying race in 1972. hauler with large amounts of moonshine. Pearson qualified on the pole and Petty won his third race at the track. The season began on Sunday January 23 and ended on Sunday November 12. If you know someone who genuinely has interest in racing history particularly MGR, I am all for you . Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. A lot of work would be needed to get it ready for an event again but Thornton said he would still consider leasing it for an event. The 1968 Islip 300 was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on July 7, 1968, at Islip Speedway in Islip, New York. The 1970 Georgia 500 also occurred at the track. Over 300,000 attended the . 11/04/ 1965. Reading up in its history , Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison and Bobby Issacs all won there. (2012-09-19). commercial, you would not be able to recognize the racetrack due to Dodge Georgia 500 and finally the Georgia 500. The track held nine NASCAR Grand National races from 1966 until 1971. Nine NASCAR Grand National Series races were held at the track between 1966 and 1971. The 2nd Atlanta International Pop Festival was held at the Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron over the 4th of July weekend in 1970. "Byron Moonshine Legend Lives On." RELATED: Peach County's South Peach Park to get new entrance, RELATED: 'Georgia Camera Ready' looking for filming sites in Peach County. I want to see it preserved, he said. Wayne Crenshaw has worked as a journalist since 1990 and has been a reporter for The Telegraph since 2002. city of Atlanta for a week. Yes there would need to be a lot of improvements but some small scale promotions could create some monies and more importantly, interest. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (n.d.): n. pag. The jury deliberated less than two hours before finding him not guilty. King and even Hi! [4] A few years ago[ when? The track was truly special as I grew up and remains the site of some the most enjoyable times of my youth. It wasnt just the NASCAR Grand National series as it was known then that made the track special. Middle Georgia Raceway was one of three tracks in the city of Macon that hosted NASCAR premier series races. agent claimed it was one of the most elaborate and clever operations he had It held nine NASCAR Grand National (today's Sprint Cup) events from 1966-71. The track was used in a few Dodge television commercials in . ?? your content. Middle Georgia Raceway - Clio A . According to a former racer, moonshine was never sold during the One of Richard Petty's 4 wins at the track came when he was very ill and was questionable to race. Auto Racing Legends V | Middle Georgia Raceway - Facebook He proposed to his wife before the race. From 1966 to 1971, the track hosted nine NASCAR races with winners including Richard Petty and Bobby Allison. The season began on Sunday, February 10 and ended on Sunday, November 17. Heres whats coming to this new plaza in Houston County, Warner Robins police narcotics unit under investigation for misconduct, DA says, Warner Robins car crash on Houston Road leaves one dead, two injured, police say, Museum of Aviation hosts panel for Vietnam POWs to share homecoming stories, Warner Robins meth ringleader sentenced to 35 years in prison in Macon. and let them enjoy the smell of racing gas and sounds of racing engines.They might see there in more in life than sitting on the couch. My photographs have been featured all over the world including on CBS Inside Edition, CNN Travel, Houston Chronicle, The Weather Channel, MSN, Yahoo News, NPR, the UK Sun, the Daily Mail, NOLA.com, AL.com, and many others. Even though NASCAR no longer used the track, many ASA racers of the late 1970s, like Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin raced here in amateur races. In later years the track was used for special events, concerts, commercial and feature filming, and most recently as a Halloween attraction. Middle Georgia Raceway Memories - Facebook The winner was Ivan Baldwin followed by Dan Clark and Jim Sanderson. The first season will also showcase Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsborough, North Carolina, Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron, Georgia and several others. Kulkosky, Victor. Described as the Woodstock of the South, bands played throughout the night while over 300,000 concertgoers descended on a town with a population of 1,500. In 2011, the current owner leased the track to Dodge, who wanted to use it for a Durango commercial. Thornton himself planned to put a light industrial park there when he bought the property in 2006, but fate intervened. Location: Jeffersonville, Georgia : Surface: Paved : Length: 1/8 mile Phone: (478) 550-3137 Visit track website: Facebook: Twitter: Race Track Locator. Tim Thornton is the owner of the land, and says he has vivid memories watching the races and serving ice cream at the festival. It held nine NASCAR Grand National (today's Sprint Cup) events from 1966-71. Atlanta International Raceway turn action. Being part of this group requires mutual trust. kinda like a journey for the chosen few to the promised land. hold your peace and show your face and you may be rewarded, but remember this, your word is the only thing you can give but also keep, This site requires Javascript to function properly - please enable Javascript in your browser. [1], Over the Fourth of July weekend in 1970, the second annual Atlanta International Pop Festival was held in a soybean field adjacent to the track. Microsoft has removed the Birds Eye imagery for this map. A field adjacent to the track was the location of the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1970, commonly called the Byron Pop Festival, which drew hundreds of thousands people. It's been almost 50 years since that festival and Thornton has the land up for sale at $1.5 million. Thanks, Dale Jr. Is looking for old and abandoned race tracks. Example video title will go here for this video. In 2011 Dodge shot a commercial there. One of the destinations that will take center stage is Jungle Park Speedway. Middle Georgia Raceway - The Third Turn NASCAR started its 1968 and 1969 season at the Middle Georgia Raceway. Finally, there is a $10 ad-free version. In 2011, Dodge contacted the current owner and asked to use the track for an advertisement. He made the unwise decision to run tires from his previous race at Talladega, which were a harder compound, AND, the track had lots of sand on it. "My reasons for wanting to do this show were purely selfish I love the mystique and eeriness of abandoned things, especially when those things are race tracks," Earnhardt said, per Dirty Mo . Petty started on the pole position and won the 274-mile (441km) race. The 1976 Riverside 400 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on June 13, 1976, at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. "Matthew and I have been mapping the locations of abandoned tracks for years, and I always wanted to explore them. 31 races were scheduled in the 1973 season. Does Middle Georgia Motor Speedway Have a New 'Boss?' The commercial shows the The track has also hosted a monster truck rally and other events while Thornton has owned it. We learned there were unsung heroes, remarkable feats, incredible memories, checkered pasts, and unhealed wounds that still needed attention.". 15 Abandoned And Forgotten NASCAR Race Tracks - HotCars The only working part of the still when it was raided was a barrel of mesh "cooking", (fermenting.) The economy soured and people began approaching him about having a racers reunion there, which he allowed. Middle Georgia Raceway Formerly Known As: Middle Georgia Motor Speedway: 0.5 mi./0.805 km. The last race happened in 1971, and by 1986 it was closed. A third Atlanta Pop Festival never happened. After the economy crashed, plans were placed on hold. This brings back memories for me. [5], There was a big crash at the track in which the barricade went through driver Sonny Braswell's car and broke 14 bones. Nine NASCAR Grand National Series races were held at the track between 1966 and 1971. HELP US OUT, Your email address will not be published. In the commercial, a sign stated it was the Brixton Motor Speedway. In 1970, the Atlanta International Pop Festival was held in a field next to the track, featuring Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers. However, Peacock is missing from Amazon Fire TV and Roku. I explored this place many years ago! Upload media Wikipedia. [6], in 1984 the Arca Racing Series ran at the track and the race was won by Davey Allison. Johnny, if the still ain't working, why should I drive that far? Wednesday night, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. begins a journey to visit some of racing's abandoned tracks. The 1970 NASCAR Grand National Series season began on Sunday January 18 and ended on Sunday November 22. But what he really wants is to sell it to someone who will keep the race track there and make it an event location, or even bring back racing. Localities in the Area. Richard Petty (2010), then entering the prime of his career, won the first two races at the track in the spring of 1966 and '67..

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