Fantasy NASCAR Racing

A.E. Speed, who had a befitting name, first carved out the 1/4 race track in 1959 on the late R.A. Webster’s property. It opened in 1959 as a dirt track, and was paved in 1962 before the Cup race was held.  Bobby and Donnie Allison cut their teeth in racing at Huntsville, along with several other drivers that went on to fame, including Red Farmer, Darrell Waltrip, Neil Bonnett, Jimmy “Smut” Means and Davey Allison.  The only Cup race was held in August 1962. Richard Petty would start on the pole and lead all 200 laps, beating Bob Welborn by over a lap.  He was followed by Jim Paschal and Buck Baker.  Huntsville was one of the first races of the NASCAR Grand Touring circuit, which featured the Grand American-type cars like Camaros, Mustangs and Firebirds in 1969.  Tiny Lund, who was later killed racing at Talladega, won the 400-lapper with Buck Baker second, Frank Sessons third and Al Staub fourth Today the track