Forum Activity for @dennis-andrews

Sandy Lynch

Stock Car Racing History

Thanks Dave, I have found Mr. Lynch's name in a few articles posted by Robert Mitchell from Peace Haven and Bowman Gray. It says there he was from Jacksonville Fla.

Sandy Lynch

Stock Car Racing History

While going through some old articles I ran across the name of Sandy Lynch. He was described as a long time stock car driver and promoter from Winston-Salem, N.C.. The article was from June of 1956.

Can anyone tell me more about Mr. Lynch?

updated by @dennis-andrews: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Rockingham

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

I caught that to Dave. One thing I found funny was the comment about having no trouble dispersing traffic after a race. I immediatley thought of the hours I spent sitting in traffic at that place, but in their defence they were thinking about 30,000 people in 1964. Nothing was said about the drag stripor the infield road course. I do not know when the road course was built but it was there in the late '70s.

I have a thought on the dirt track that has no foundation, just a thought that floated through the old grey matter. The 3/8 mile Rockingham Speedway was only a few miles down the road and was very successful at the time. They may have thought better of trying to compete with it.

My first memories of the one mile speedway come from going past it to the dirt track every Saturday during the summer. As we would travel south on US1 and go through Hoffman we would start looking for the turn 4 banking to rise on the horizon. It was a straight section of road and we could see the new track a mileaway.That seemed very impressive since you could not see the dirt track until you pulled off the road next to the motel.

Rockingham

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

With NASCAR coming back to "The Rock" next month thought I would share a little track history found in newspaper archives that Jack Walker sent me.

This one is from May 8,1963 Richmond County Journal.

Next one from June 25,1964 Anson Record

THE TRACK, which has not been named as yet, is owned by Bill Land of Hamlet and Harold Brasington of Darlington,S.C. Brasington was one of the builders of the now famous Darlington International Speedway. He had also constructed tracks at Fayetteville and Greensboro.

Brasington said the mile track will have NASCAR sanction when completed. The oval has as much as 30 per cent elevation in places and is expected to be fast as far as speeds are concerned for mile tracks and be in the same class as the approximately $250,000 with the price tag expected to increase as construction progresses prior to the running of the first race.

Brasington doesn't feel the large financial investment is a great risk and points out the success of the Darlington Speedway, the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Daytona and Atlanta Raceways as proof. The only failure in recent years was the Raleigh Speedway which had several drawbacks that will not be involved here.

AS FOR THE surrounding business community the South Carolina racing man is very optimistic of up to three quarters of a million dollars being pumped into the areas economy each year. "This will be like a shot of Penicillin for the community." he added. With time trials and getting a car ready it brings in such as tire specialist, as well as other accessories people making a race period run from a week to ten days. This calls for lodging, food, entertainment and etc. for the crews and others. "People don't realize the great amount of preparation that goes into a one day affair such as a race." he said.

Building the track in Richmond County was just a chance happening according to Brasington who said that he was just looking for a site to build a new track. " I looked throughout Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina for a location and was inspecting a site on Route 177 when Bill Land called and said he had the right location. I agreed with him and we started." he said.

Brasington, who has seen tracks all over the country feels this is the best location he has ever seen. There will be no problem of dispersing traffic following a race and the track is easy accesable from all points. The large area of ample parking space with the land area covering 150 acres with more available if needed.

IF THE SPEEDWAY is to be ready for the first 500 mile race next year much depends on Superintendent of Construction Louis Piana. A great deal must be done between now and then bur Brasington expressed extreme confidence in his right hand man. "He is the best concrete man I have run into and an important man with us. We are fortunate to have him." says the owner. If everything goes as anticipated we should have some kind of race in the fall. "Once we get underway we still have the 500 mile race as well as several others along with occasional motor cycle races" is the word from the track officials.

The Darlington man also feels that he is very fortunate to be associated with Bill Land in the venture as his contacts and business connections will be very valuable to the success of the track. As the track benefits so will Richmond County in like proportions.

The owners said they were delighted with the enthusiasm of the people over the track and were glad to be able to keep them informed of the progress being made. "They may think we are moving slowly, but we have really made progress. It usually takes about two years to build a plant of this size". is the word from the man who should know, Harold Brasington.

updated by @dennis-andrews: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM

5th World 600

Stock Car Racing History

That's the one Bobby. I found an article that described the accident that was printed when it looked like he was improving and would be granting interviews soon. We now know how it turned out so I did not post the article.

5th World 600

Stock Car Racing History

Article from the May 21,1964 Anson Record about the upcoming race at Charlotte where the writer used the ages of the drivers as the topic instead of just listing the entries.

How does it compare to today?

updated by @dennis-andrews: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Stock Car Races 1963

Stock Car Racing History

The following newspaper clipping list 11 tracks from Jacksonville, Fla. to Huntington, W.Va. in 1963. Most all of them are ghost tracks today. One that is still around is Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.. The event talked about there was called an International Race that was co-sponsored by SCCA and NASCAR and featured sports cars and stock cars. While combination events are not regular occurrences they are not rare either and B-G is famous for them over the years but I do not remember these events. Anyone remember them?

From Anson Record Aug.19,1963

updated by @dennis-andrews: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

TRUCK RACE AT THE ROCKINGHAM APRIL 15TH.

Stock Car Racing History

Cody, It takes me around 6 hours to get to Dawsonville from my house and about 50 minutes to get to the track so I'd say you are very close.

TRUCK RACE AT THE ROCKINGHAM APRIL 15TH.

Stock Car Racing History

Got my tickets at the last race, Looking forward to it. Check out Billy Biscoe's post on the events calender about the Carolina 200.

Champion Raceway 1955

Stock Car Racing History

Jim,

Dad said he was there that day to with his uncle. He said that some of the fans got unruly and Herb had to have a police escort to get out of the track. You remember that?