Banks County Speedway

Fred Holder’s 1A, Tommy Roberts is the driver!! That car and driver won the championship race , late model sportsman in either 1975 or 76,

The Habersham Speedway was built around 1947. It was located in northern Habersham County, Georgia, near the Habersham and Stephens County lines. Some listing...s put the track in Mt. Airy, Georgia, but the site actually sits closer to Toccoa on the Stephens County side. The track was located near Dick’s Hill. The property was said to be owned by the Irvin family. Early Georgia stars such as Billy Carden, Jack Ethridge and Swayne Pritchett raced there early on. The track was promoted in the early days by a man named Pee Wee Dooley. Dooley was killed in a bizarre accident one night following a race at the track in 1947. When he arrived home, he failed to notice that the pilot light had gone out and the house had filled with gas. He tried to light a cigarette, causing an explosion and fire. Dooley was killed. The track ran into some local trouble in fall of 1947. According to a 1948 edition of The Northeast Georgiannewspaper, 30 people were charged with violating the Sabbath in connection with an event at the track on October 7, 1947. The track did not race again until July 5 of 1948. The newspaper article states that Since next week’s race will be on a weekday, no violation of the Sunday law will be involved. That July 5 event featured several NASCAR stars, including Red Byron, Bill Snowden, Gober Sosebee and the Flock Brothers. It’s unclear if this was a NASCAR modified event or not, as records of the early modified events are extremely difficult to get from NASCAR. It’s believed that this race was run in memory of Pee Wee Dooley. The track may have held another event in December of 1948. Among those racing were Ed Samples, Skimp Hersey, Bill Blair, Gober Sosebee, Jack Ethridge and Bob Flock, according to a program from the event that still survives. The track closed down sometime after 1948. A family member apparently had planned to try to reopen it several years later, but was blocked by a local politician who owned land in the area. The outline of the track can still be seen today. A greenhouse has been built along one straightaway. Here’s a look at the Habersham Speedway in it’s heyday: See more

Lakewood Speedway (Atlanta) on a typical Sunday afternoon in the late 1940's/early 1950's. Zoom in and see how many cars are in the lineup!!

Old Gainesville Speedway. "Chester "Barron" #44 & #43 This was a big dirt track no fencing. If you left the track you landed in the corn field. My cousin Willie... Barron just did that. My dad loved this track. I think this is where he got started. But not sure. There was a man that blew himself up in a box before race with dynamic I hated that. I couldn't watch the first lap. It also would scare me i was only 5 years old. I would go hide till it was over. My dad ran 2 cars there #44 & #43 he had friends that drove with him. Gene Poole and I think Tommy Irvin. My family really enjoyed this track close to home and all friends usely there. Lake Lanier swallowed it up. Under water now. See more

I remember 1953 "Chester Barron" We raced all over northeast Georgia. I hated going Canton Ga. There was a pond right off the 2nd turn and I was always scared ...my dad would crash into it and drown. But there was alot scareyer night there. I was sitting in the stands with my uncle Cecil. While leading the race my father came out of the 4th turn and rolled up in the fencing. My uncle went flying to the racecar through where the fence was. Smoke everywhere. He had try to move the fencing from the car to get to my dad. Car turned over on its side my dad was unconscious kicking. The flag man i think "Waylon Miliam" ran onto the track and was hit by another race car. Both where taken to the hospital. 3hrs later I met my father walking into the waiting room . He was ok but sore. The flagman had a broken shoulder blade. Please don't let these drivers and flag man miss out on going down in history. See more

Father Georgia Circuit Champion 1954

We are so proud of this! Last week, we received in the museum a replica of the 39' Ford that Fonty Flock drove to the 1947 NSCRA Championship (Bill France's pre...-NASCAR series) for owner, Raymond Parks. Fonty was subbing for his injured brother, Bob, who was involved in a crash late in the season resulting in a broken back. Bob would recover to drive this car in the Inaugural season of NASCAR the following year. No other spot was even considered for this car other than in front of our Raymond Parks exhibit - a tribute to his office from the 1950's, featuring artifacts owned by Parks himself. To us, it's the most fitting place we could've put it. Be sure and stop by soon to see this new exhibit!! Thank you to the JB Day family for allowing us to hold onto this car for a little while

Please share with everyone we are just two weeks away. I am still looking for volunteers and donations if interested please contact me 706-207-5844