CALIFORNIA STATE FAIRGROUNDS --- SACRAMENTO CA
The fairgrounds opened in 1906 and, like most state fairgrounds, hosted horse racing. Auto racing was introduced in 1907. The first major events started in 1949 when the track hosted the Golden State 100. It was part of the AAA/USAC National Championship. The Series raced here yearly through 1970. NASCAR visited the fairgrounds from 1956 through 1961. Eddie Pagan won the pole but fell out after 31 laps. Lloyd Dane worked his way up from his 15th starting position to be leading when the checkers flew. Chuck Meekins finished second with Johnny Kieper third. The next year Danny Graves won the pole; led all 100 laps and got the win. In 1958; west coast driving ace Parnelli Jones also started on the pole and grabbed the win. The following year; Eddie Gray won the hard way. After a poor qualifying performance landed him in 19th starting spot; he drove a great race and got the win. 1960 saw Jim Cook and Scotty Cain wage a battle to this years win. Cook started on the pole and Cain lined up third. Cook and Cain swapped the lead back and forth until Cook grabbed the lead with two laps to go to take the win. Cup's final race at the fairgrounds saw Bill Amick lead the first 25 laps and look strong, before his car's rear end broke putting him out of the race. From there it was all Eddie Gray and he led the final 75 laps, driving away to win by over a lap. The Exposition moved to a new site north of Downtown Sacramento in 1968, and the old fairgrounds were closed and sold for development in 1970. The final day of the track was marred by tragedy when three drivers were killed in two accidents in the 100-lap super-modified sprint car competition.