The jury deliberated less than two hours before finding him not guilty. More than 30 acts performed over the 3+ days and the festival drew several hundred thousand fans. The 2nd Atlanta International Pop Festival was held at the Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron over the 4th of July weekend in 1970. The following 4 files are in this category, out of 4 total. The track was used in a few Dodge television . I apologize for being a little behind on uploading this. Search By State. Although the current owner had placed a fresh coat of paint over the walls, Dodge "aged" the walls and even bought a local car for $2,000 and crashed it to add realism to the scenes. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. This page was last edited on 7 January 2022, at 03:32. 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. Richard Petty won four titles, while Bobby Allison won three. 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. [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. Yes there would need to be a lot of improvements but some small scale promotions could create some monies and more importantly, interest. In 2011, Dodge contacted the current owner and asked to use the track for an advertisement. about the Middle Georgia Raceway is the International Pop Festival. Category: Middle Georgia Raceway. Anyone who can come up with about $1.2 million can be the owner of a local race track with a long and colorful history. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. Thats really interesting. ": I was there. Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? The premier Motorsports destination of Middle Georgia whether your into the ultimate show. A . Middle Georgia Raceway held nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (then NASCAR Grand National) races from 1966-1971. The Second Annual International Pop Festival was also . Georgia Raceway was called The Speedy Morelock 200. Middle Georgia Raceway former stock car racing rrack. The moonshine distillery was reported to have an electric exhaust system, electric lighting, and electronic insect repellant devices. 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. BYRON -- On Wednesday morning, Tim Thornton made his way through a wooded area behind turn three at the old Middle Georgia Raceway in search of the source of a local legend. I do not know about the parking lot, it may need to have paved access roads and gravel. Isaac sat on the pole after recording a 98.148-mile-per-hour (157.954km/h) lap, which was the fastest in the track's history. Upload media Wikipedia. Thats where it has to start, people being interested. 1) "Middle Georgia Raceway." 4) "The True Story Behind The Fake Racetrack in Chryslers Latest TV Commercial." Richard Petty won four races, Bobby Allison won three, and David Pearson and Bobby Isaac each earned one victory. [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. [5], There was a big crash at the track in which the barricade went through driver Sonny Braswell's car and broke 14 bones. [3] Allison won the 274-mile (441km) event in a 1969 Dodge. The prosecutor told the jury that 24 pounds of yeast would make enough bread to feed Atlanta for a week. Created by Wesley Muncy on March 2nd 2015, 1:39:31 am. 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. hauler with large amounts of moonshine. For instance, in 1967 authorities found a moonshine distillery located buried in a chamber under the track. The first season will also showcase Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsborough, North Carolina, Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron, Georgia and several others. The distillery was capable of producing 80 gallons of moonshine per day. Georgia 500 and finally the Georgia 500. Maybe something like that could be looked at also. 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. The Middle Georgia Raceway opened in 1966, with many of the racing biggies earning victories there. I would like to see the name changed as the word middle is like middle of the road. Lost Speedways is an exclusive product for NBC's new streaming platform, Peacock. [3] Allison won the 274-mile (441km) event in a 1969 Dodge. The economy soured and people began approaching him about having a racers reunion there, which he allowed. 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. Great photos and interesting back story, thanks for posting it. There was a time that you could wind your own hotrod through the weeds and sneak onto the track for a run, pretty sure it was in the 80s and 90s. http://georgiahistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/9.4_Pop_Fest.pdf Your email address will not be published. This half-mile paved oval welcomed the NASCAR big leagues nine times between 1966 and 1971, four of those races were run by Richard. He denied knowing anything about it and was acquitted. I explored this place many years ago! I must disagree about the tracks condition, it would take a lot to get it back in shape. Wayne Crenshaw has worked as a journalist since 1990 and has been a reporter for The Telegraph since 2002. Larry Smith was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year. 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 . Ive been kind of waiting for the right person, waiting for the right opportunity to sell to somebody to try to preserve the history, he said. As Paul Harvey would say this is the rest of the story, you going to have to drive over if you want to taste the wares --the still could or could not "still" be working. Reading up in its history , Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison and Bobby Issacs all won there. General view of the Atlanta Raceway circa 1980's at the Atlanta Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Atlanta International Pop Festival occurred on July 3rd -5th, It is zoned general commercial, and could be an industrial park or even a housing development, he said. I put nothing in writing. This brings back memories for me. NASCAR began its 1968 season at the track. The 1966 NASCAR Grand National Series evolved into the first of three NASCAR Grand National championships for David Pearson, whose 15 wins through the season was second only to Tim Flock's 18 victories in 1955 at that time. See me at the MGR Reunion Aug 31 and I will tell you the whole story. Within a bunker under turn three, federal agents discovered a moonshine The winner was Ivan Baldwin followed by Dan Clark and Jim Sanderson. Thanks for sharing. In the 1970s, there was also a massive concert held there that the good people of Georgia were none too pleased about. Middle Georgia Raceway (abandoned) This 1/2 mile paved oval track has been abandoned since 1984. Dodge purchased a car locally for $2,000 and crashed it to add realism to the scenes, which were filmed over an eleven day period. [1] Nine NASCAR races were held there from 1966 to 1971. It opened in 1966. 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. 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. Premium will also include non-televised Premier League soccer games beginning in August. One controversial piece of evidence was Kulkosky, Victor. Did the old TV series Car and Driver tape races there ? This short track outside of Indianapolis closed in 1960 after "a string of horrific accidents." [4] A few years ago[when? Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. During the video the guy that recorded the video made the statement that they had footage other than just the Hendrix part. Another track from my trip to Georgia, the long dormant Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron, Georgia. Ken Ragan, father of 2-Time NASCAR Winner David Ragan, won the final race at Middle Georgia Raceway, as said on Peacock's Lost Speedways, hosted by NASCAR On NBC Announcer Dale Earnhardt Jr. Unfortunately, after just a few laps, he lost control coming off turn four, and then over-corrected and went head-on into the outside wall. The document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). I hope to preserve the past through documentation and photographs since many of these amazing places are often lost to neglect, demolition, or renovation. The track held nine NASCAR Grand National races from 1966 until 1971. Nine times between 1966 and 1971, the premier series raced at Middle Georgia Raceway in the town of Macon. Welcome to AbandonedSoutheast.com! King / Procol Harum / Grand Funk Railroad / Mountain / Ten Years After / Ravi Shankar / Jimi Hendrix / Poco / Johnny Winter / Chambers Brothers / John Sebastian / Terry Reid / Spirit / Radar / Hampton Grease Band / Bloodrock . Next year marks 50 years since the festival that brought tens of thousands of people to the city. The marker stands at the Middle Georgia Raceway. It may need General admission booths, and fencing to the grandstands. Kulkosky, Victor. 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. Hi! Middle Georgia Raceway, once a full-blown NASCAR . This is an information and social media page for the brand new Middle Georgia Sports. Middle Georgia Raceway was one of three tracks in the city of Macon that hosted NASCAR premier series races. [2] The final race was held near the end of the year. The Middle Georgia Raceway was a raceway located in Byron, Georgia, in the United States. He proposed to his wife before the race. The Allman Brothers Band, who was relatively unknown before this festival, opened and closed the show. While the racetrack had a short life within professional racing, the land where the track was located holds many stories. Localities in the Area. brought the Middle Georgia Raceway back to life. According to a former racer, moonshine was never sold during the [1] NASCAR's 1969 season again began at the track. With the help of the state legislature, restrictions were adopted to make it difficult to organize another festival of this size. The track owner was arrested and tried. The local newspaper described it as an. 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. Together, they will journey to the abandoned tracks that are no longer recognizable due to the foliage. Promoters and security gave in and opened the gates an hour into the opening acts first set. 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. [1] In the middle of the season, Bobby Isaac won the second of the three NASCAR races held at the track in a 300 lap event. time, was arrested and tried in court. I read the ASA ran some events there and that Davey Allison won an ARCA event there. By Jenna Eason. 09/05/ 1965. From watching the Brown was the only witness for the defense and adamantly denied knowing anything about the still. Centerville is situated 3 miles south of Antebellum North. Nine NASCAR Grand National Series races were held at the track between 1966 and 1971. This was the first season where all races were televised in some form. Wednesday night, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. begins a journey to visit some of [], By John Newby In addition to NASCAR races there were sprint car races and outlaw. Anyone interested in this project should e-mail me, danny1754@att.net. I took my Supra out there and an older Porsche..loved it. Lamar Brown gave me a guided tour of the still after it was destroyed. Out of the nine races at the city of Atlanta for a week. It was designed by Fireball Roberts. [4] On September 15, 2012, an official Georgia Historical Society marker was placed near the raceway to commemorate the 1970 pop festival. I really believe that this facility has lots potential. (2012-09-19). agent claimed it was one of the most elaborate and clever operations he had From 1966 to 1971, the track hosted nine NASCAR races with winners including Richard Petty and Bobby Allison. Try to find a half mile track on 100 acres with such a great location and a awesome history. Dale Earnhardt was crowned NASCAR Rookie of the Year. This 1/2 mile paved oval track has been abandoned since 1984. Thornton eventually dropped his plans for the moonshine festival. Nature has started to reclaim this storied race track in Byron, Georgia. In the commercial, a sign stated that it was the Brixton Motor Speedway.[4]. Ticket prices for the weekend event to see the 30 bands were $14.00, a bargain even then. 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. There has been some talk of having another music festival there. THA MOVIE Greased Lightning starring Richard Prior had one of race scenes filmed there. Centerville. The Middle Georgia Raceway was a half-mile paved track that opened in 1966, at the cost of $500,000. The local newspaper described it as an elaborate, sophisticated operation with two fermenting tanks totaling 3,700 gallons. Those racers ended up being NASCAR Hall of Famers, and Byron was on the map. The Middle Georgia Raceway is loaded with history ranging from record setting runs t. Microsoft has removed the Birds Eye imagery for this map. Please Don't invite people just to invite people. Pearson qualified on the pole and Petty won his third race at the track. He thinks it would be a good location for a public park. The Second Annual International Pop Festival was also located on the Middle Georgia Raceway in 1970. It was surreal to see such a place silenced. Thornton says they may hold a special event to commemorate it. He cleaned up the track, which hadnt seen a race in years, and more events were held. 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. 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. Do you think it would be possible to get him to mix up a couple of hours of that concert and bring in a big video screen and do a 50th anniversary screening there. The track was truly special as I grew up and remains the site of some the most enjoyable times of my youth. King and even races. Watched some awsome races and ran on this track super fast and fun to race wish they would at least run karts, Atlanta International Pop Festival (1970) marker, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcY4Di6OgWw. ?? There use to be weekly NASCAR Sortmen races that drew racers from Asheville, NC (Jack Ingram, Bosco Lowe, etc,), Tennessee (Friday Hasler, Bob Burcham, etc), Alabama (Bobby And Donnie Alison, etc), Florida (Paul Conners) and another that I dont recall where he was from (Bob Leach). 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). 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. It would be a GREAT place to get the new generation of kids off the computers and cell phones Richard Petty won his seventh and final Winston Cup championship, winning by 11 points over Darrell Waltrip. I saw the trailer for that film on YouTube. On these 80 acres sits the Middle Georgia Raceway and the setting of the 1970 Atlanta International Pop Festival. the Georgia natives Allman Brothers Band. Even after the raceway was closed down, it gained notoriety after Dodge used this location to film a commercial in 2011. Theres not even a sign at the property stating it is for sale and Thornton doesnt have it listed on the website of his real estate company. N.p., n.d. http://racing-reference.info/tracks/Middle_Georgia_Raceway [1] Later that year, David Pearson won a 150-mile (240km) race from the pole. "Probably 15 at the time -- a bunch of us would pile in the car and come down here from Macon on Saturday night and watch, like Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, a bunch of the big guys, race.". Nine NASCAR Grand National Series races were held at the track between 1966 and 1971. few years the race at Middle Georgia would be called the Macon 300, Middle raceway in its natural state, beat down and decaying. 3) Contact: Brandy Mai, Director Of Communications, and Ext. The Middle Georgia Raceway was a raceway located in Byron, Georgia, in the United States. It's been almost 50 years since that festival and Thornton has the land up for sale at $1.5 million. shows Jimi Hendrix performed at due to his death three months later.3, The Doge Durango television ad commercial, you would not be able to recognize the racetrack due to Dodge [4] On September 15, 2012, an official Georgia Historical Society marker was placed near the raceway to commemorate the 1970 pop festival. Being part of this group requires mutual trust. Other nearby markers. Awesome shots, would love to check this track out someday and shoot some video of it. Instance of: motorsport racing track; Location: Peach County, Georgia: 32 40 08.04 N, 83 42 46.08 W . All in all I say that maybe 3 million would be needed. He won the 100-mile event in his 1966 . HELP US OUT, Your email address will not be published. Take a look, Four of six Warner Robins narcotics officers reinstated amid misconduct investigation, Coffee shop, pizza place & more. In 1970, the Atlanta International Pop Festival was held in a field next to the track, featuring Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers. In addition, there is a $5 premium version that has limited ads and is free to existing Comcast subscribers. Brown said he bought the yeast to make food for the concession stand at the race track. As the song goes, :"I guess you had to be there. spent eleven days filming and supposedly spent 2 million dollars as well.4. Petty returned to win the 150-mile (240km) NASCAR race during the following season. One of the destinations that will take center stage is Jungle Park Speedway. your content. The Middle Georgia Raceway is an abandoned race track near Byron, Georgia. [1] He beat pole-sitter Pearson by 4 seconds and they were the only two cars on the lead lap. 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). Richard Petty won four times, Bobby Allison won three, and David Pearson and Bobby Isaac each won once. ], it was purchased with the goal of converting it to a land development site. [2] The final race was held near the end of the year. It would not take a lot to get the track going again. There are three subscription tiers available for Peacock, including a free, ad-supported version that has limited content. In 1970, the Atlanta International Pop Festival was held in a field next to the track, featuring Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers. Its got a lot of history out there. I am not asking for any money, just peoples interest. Example video title will go here for this video. This festival was one of the last A trap door inside of a ticket booth led 17 feet underground to a cave where the distillery was kept. The track was used in a few Dodge television commercials in . N.p., n.d. http://bangshift.com/general-news/videos/the-true-story-behind-the-fake-racetrack-in-chrysler-s-latest-tv-commercial/. The bands that performed were: Allman Brothers Band / B.B. Hey my name eddie taylor I live in Byron ga an my family has been in racing our whole life my uncle Doc ran on the dirt tracks an at middle ga raceway it was an awesome place an it really needs to be brought back to life we need to try an get people talk about it. changing the name to Brixton Motor Speedway on the retaining wall. An aerial view of Middle Georgia Raceway, which hosted NASCAR Cup events from 1966 through 1971. See the comprehensive Ingliston Motor Racing Circuit website for photos, results, and complete programmes from Ingliston. Earnhardt Jr. created Lost Speedways and will serve as the host for this exclusive look back at racing's history. 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. The short clip also showed him talking to Richard Petty, NASCAR's all-time wins leader. A third Atlanta Pop Festival never happened. Forested areas around the festival were transformed into campgrounds. I want to see it preserved, he said. It held nine NASCAR Grand National (today's Sprint Cup) events from 1966-71. Ive been going around shooting abandoned tracks the past few weeks and shot North Wilksboro and Rockingham last week. The commercial shows the 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. attendance varied each year from 6,000 to 10,000 and the prize money also went One reason Thornton has been in no rush to sell it is that the lease to the driving range operator pays the property taxes and upkeep, so it doesnt cost him anything to hold onto the property. In front of a crowd of 7,500 spectators, Petty hit a top speed of 82.023 miles per hour. "Byron Pop Festival Gets Historic Marker". It opened in 1966. While the racetrack had a short life within professional racing, the land where the track was located holds many stories. 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. 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. The 1977 Wilkes 400 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that was held on October 2, 1977, at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. NASCAR began its 1968 season at the track. The company Middle Georgia Raceway, near Macon, hosted many top notch stock car events on its half-mile, paved surface. - July 15, 2020 02:30 pm EDT. Thornton himself planned to put a light industrial park there when he bought the property in 2006, but fate intervened. He dropped the idea of an industrial park. [1] He beat pole-sitter Pearson by 4 seconds and they were the only two cars on the lead lap. Later that season, Bobby Isaac shattered Pettys lap record after recording a 98.148 mile-per-hour lap. Dirt Oval located in Byron, GA: Track Status: Closed (Opened: 1966 --- Closed: 1986) TOURING SERIES & MAJOR EVENTS ; Date Sanction Winner Laps 10 May 1966: NASCAR Grand National: Richard Petty: 200 22 May 1966: You may wish to switch to the. From 1966 to 1971, the track hosted nine NASCAR races with winners including Richard Petty and Bobby Allison. I have to live here. You can reach me at AbandonedSoutheast@gmail.com. In 2011 Dodge shot a commercial there. The last race happened in 1971, and by 1986 it was closed. The Middle Georgia Raceway was a raceway located in Byron, Georgia, in the United States. He proposed to his wife before the race. Petty started on the pole position and won the 274-mile (441km) race. Bobby Allison drove from the pole to win the 274-mile (441km) race. During the inaugural race, the Speedy Morelock 200, Richard Petty broke the speed record for half-mile NASCAR tracks. The service, which was previously only available for Comcast subscribers, launches on Wednesday alongside Earnhardt's show. It wasnt just the NASCAR Grand National series as it was known then that made the track special. The 1970 Georgia 500 also occurred at the track. The only working part of the still when it was raided was a barrel of mesh "cooking", (fermenting.) I think it would be fun and historical. [1]. Thanks, Dale Jr. Is looking for old and abandoned race tracks. You mean the trailer park next door that needs to be bulldozed? Petty started on the pole position and won the 274-mile (441km) race. The 1974 Southern 500, the 25th running of the event, was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race on September 2, 1974, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, "Byron raceway roars back to life in car ads", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Middle_Georgia_Raceway&oldid=1144342976, Motorsport venues in Georgia (U.S. state), Buildings and structures in Peach County, Georgia, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Vague or ambiguous time from November 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 March 2023, at 06:20. In the commercial, a sign stated it was the Brixton Motor Speedway. The season began on Sunday January 21 and ended on Sunday October 21. N.p., n.d. http://www.macon.com/2013/08/25/2627781/byron-moonshine-legend-lives-on.html After eleven days of filming for the Dodge Durango, filming wrapped up and the commercial was eventually aired. Now the track is overgrown again, with grass sprouting through the seams of the paved half-mile oval. Bobby Isaac was the champion of the series as NASCAR transitioned from the Grand National era to the Winston Cup era. NASCAR allowed the return of the Chrysler Hemi engine in 1966, and at the same time Ford decided to boycott NASCAR for the season. LOL!!! Pamela Mullis, 54, was sentenced to 90 to 120 days in prison after she pleaded guilty to felony theft in Houston County Superior Court. All nine races at the 500-mile paved oval were won by Hall of Famers: Richard Petty won four times, including the first race, while Bobby Allison was thrice victorious with the distinction of winning the final race.

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