SAVANNAH SPEEDWAY - SAVANNAH GA
Originally dirt; paved in 1969; closed in 1981; apparently reopened but closed again by 2004; track is currently under water. In 1962, the Cup Series also made it's first visit to the dirt 1/2 mile, Savannah Speedway. The first race saw Jack Smith lead 48 of the 200 laps and beat out Cotton Owens by 3/4 of a lap. The track hosted ten races; and it took six of them before it saw a repeat winner. The second race in 1962 saw Wendell Scott win his only career pole, and Joe Weatherly get the win. Ned Jarrett would win in 1963, while Richard Petty would grab the win the spring race in 1964. Unfortunately, this would be Joe Weatherly final finish as he would be killed at Riverside the following race. The second race held in 1964 saw LeeRoy Yarbrough get the win; before Jarret won the third race of
that season, becoming the first driver to win there more than once. No races were held in 1965 or 1966. In 1967 Bobby Allison would get his only career dirt track win. and Richard Petty won on the final dirt race here in the fall. Again, they had no races in 1968, but the track was paved before NASCAR returned in 1969. Bobby Isaac would claim the win; one of his amazing 17 wins this season. 1970 saw the track host it's final race. Richard Petty would beat Isaac by over a lap. NASCAR never returned to this track, and it closed in 1981.
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