This week, we take a moment to remember 2009 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame inductee Tommie Irvin over at Georgia Racing History.com .

As many of you know, we lost Mr. Tommie on Sunday, Dec. 5. He started his racing career after World War II. He was a pioneer stock car and modified driver who drove as a team mate to the late Swayne Pritchett in 1948, with he and Pritchett becoming two of the first 20 racers to ever obtain a NASCAR License. He was the Southern Racing Enterprises Association champion for 1954, and would win the annual Labor Day event at the famed Lakewood Speedway in 1955. He went on to drive at Soldier's Field in Chicago for legendary car owner Andy Granatelli and was the owner of the Banks County Speedway. You can read more on Mr. Tommie's life and career over at Georgia Racing History.com .

I just want to take a moment to send a very special thank you to Jim Gresham, Tony Gresham, Dan Elliott and all the folks out at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Georgia. Through their efforts as the official race track of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, we were able to hold the first Georgia Racing Hall of Fame night back in May, where we honored the reigning class of inductees.

The importance of that event has been driven home in the last few weeks, as we lost two members of that class, Katron Sosebee and Tommie Irvin just days apart from each other. Thanks for the folks at GMP, we were able to honor these men and treat them like the VIP's we know they are. These folks didn't get treated like celebrities back in their racing days, but we want them to know that they are very, very important to us. The folks at GMP have gone out of their way to treat our Hall of Famers as guests of honor, and for that, we are very, very thankful.

In other news this week, we got word yesterday that racing is getting ready to return to the Zebulon (Crazy 8) Speedway north of Zebulon, Georgia, early next year. Martha Daniel sent the info along saying the trees that have covered the speedway since it closed in 1968 have been cut down and burned and grading is underway on the track's entrance. Racing is expected to open for go-carts, Legends cars and motorcycles sometime around March 19. No word on when or if full size cars will return to the legendary track.

Last Sunday, the Georgia Super Minicup Association held their 2010 awards banquet at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. Several young racers and their families were in attendance for the event, as the series champions were honored. Congratulations from GRH.com to Future Stars Division champ Will Fagan of Cumming, GA. and to Open Division champ Casey Willingham of Ball Ground, GA.

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week on Dec. 14 in memory of Lloyd Seay (1919-1941) and in memory of Alan Kulwicki (1954-1993). Also, a belated Happy Birthday back on Dec. 5 to Jabe Jones.

Thanks everybody, and have a great weekend!

Brandon Reed
Georgia Racing History.com