This week, we remember one of the pioneer racers from Georgia's at Georgia Racing History.com .

This month marks 62 years since the racing world lost one of it's most promising drivers.

On May 16, 1948, Swayne Pritchett died following a crash at the Jackson County Speedway near Jefferson, Georgia. Pritchett was an early participant in NASCAR, and was among the first 25 drivers to every obtain a license from that sanctioning body. Pritchett was touted as a rising star by Bill France, Sr., and had jockeyed for the win in several events leading up to that fateful day.

We remember Swayne this week as we approach the 62nd anniversary of the accident that took his life. You can read more about him over at Georgia Racing History.com .

In other news...well, there's been big developments this week!!!

On Monday, the Dawsonville City Council voted unanimously to approve naming Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Georgia as the "Official Race Track of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame." The agreement opens up opportunities to promote and raise funds for the Hall of Fame through the speedway, as well as forming a strong bond between the Hall and one of the most historic speedways in the state. For more on the announcement, you can read here .

On the heels of that announcement, we now are just about a week away from the inagural Georgia Racing Hall of Fame night at Gresham Motorsports Park.

We will be honoring all eight of the 2009 inductees in a special ceremony on the front stretch, where they will be introduced to the crowd, presented with certificates and given a moment to speak. Plans are for this to become an annual event at the speedway.

Also hoping to be on hand is Jimmy Summerour, Hubert Platt, Bud Lundsford, Charlie Mincey, Marvin Mills, Charlie Bagwell, Gene Felton, Jack Jackson and more members of our Hall of Fame family! We will also be having vintage race cars on hand, and they'll get to take some pace laps on the track. The speedway will also be hosting a 50-50 fundraiser for the HOF.

We want very much for all Hall of Fame members, or family of members of the Hall of Fame to be in attendance with us for this special event. If you are a Hall of Fame member or a family member, please contact me at raceinfoga@gmail.com for more information. Please help us to make sure everybody gets a chance to come be a part of this great event!

Again, the event will be held Saturday, May 15 at Gresham Motorsports Park. For more information on attending the event (if you're not a Hall of Fame member), go to Gresham Motorsports Park.com or call 706-367-9461.

Great news this week, as we've learned that J.B. Day will indeed be holding his annual birthday party for legendary Georgia racing figure Raymond Parks next month. Mark your calenders!!!

The folks over at GARHOFA also have a big event coming up in June, as they're getting ready for the Cherokee County Speedways reunion on June 5. The reunion will be for Dixie Speedway and the historical race tracks of Cherokee County, Georgia, including Canton International Speedway, Canton Speedway (Hickory Flat), and Cherokee Motor Speedway (Sutallee). The event will run from 11am to 4pm at Family Tradition Restaurant, located at 7830 Hickory Flat Hwy, Woodstock, GA 30188 ( that's just about two and a half miles south of where Canton Speedway was located). For more information, go to http://www.garhofa.org/ .

Oh, before I forget, during last year's World Crown 300, the folks from 3Wide Life, a syndicated tv show, did some filming about the event and the track, including some segments with yours truly. The program is slated for the show's current episode. You can get more info on the show, along with where you can see the show, by going here .

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week on May11 to Gene Felton and in memory of Tim Flock (1924-1998) and on May 12 in memory of Gene White (1931-1986).

Thanks everybody, and have a great weekend!

Brandon Reed
Georgia Racing History.com