Augusta International Raceway
The Augusta International Raceway is a multi-use motorsports facility located in Hephzibah, Georgia, United States (just south of Augusta).
History
Half mile oval
The 0.5-mile (0.80 km) oval hosted NASCAR Grand National Series (now Sprint Cup Series) races from 1962 to 1969. During that time span they ran 12 races with 8 different winners.
On June 19, 1962 Joe Weatherly started on the pole position with a lap of 63.069 mph (101.500 km/h). Joe drove his Bud Moore-owned Pontiac to a 1-lap victory over Ned Jarrett. Augusta International Speedway back in 1962 was a .500 dirt mile oval. The race was 200 laps and saw only 16 cars start the race.
Less than a month later Joe did a repeat by winning on July 17, 1962 over Richard Petty. Fred Lorenzen took home the win on September 13, 1962 over Petty.
In 1963 a crowd of 4,000 in attendance saw Ned Jarrett take his Burton Robinson #11 Ford to victory lane over Richard Petty on April 4, 1963.
The 1964 season saw major changes as the track was paved with asphalt. The largest crowd ever (14,000) saw the largest field ever (30) take the green flag on November 1, 1964. The race also received the title "Jaycee 300" as the race was increased to 300 laps over the previous 200. Darel Dieringer went on to win the event.
Podcasts:
