SMOKEY MOUNTAIN SPEEDWAY - MARYVILLE TN
Smokey Mountain Speedway was originally a 1/2 mile dirt track. Shortly after opening the NASCAR Series brought the cars and stars of the series to race. From 1965 to 1971 the Cup series visited the track a dozen times. The first Cup race was in August of 1965. And this track would turn out to be Richard Petty's playground. The first race saw Petty be dominant, and lead the first 117 of 200 laps. Then David Pearson led for two laps but was then passed by Dick Hutcherson who went on to lead the final 81 laps and take the win by four laps. He was followed across
theline by Buddy Baker, Petty, Jim Hunter and Paul Lewis. Starting in 1966 the track hosted two races. In the June event, David Pearson would claim the win by two laps over Buck Baker. Paul Lewis was third, Elmo Langley fourth and Doug Cooper fifth. In July if 1966, Lewis would get his only Cup win, as he crossed the finish line first, just two second ahead of Pearson. JT Putney, Doug Cooper and Bobby Allison rounded out the top five. Richard Petty would win for the first time here, at this track, in June 1967. He beat Jim Paschal by half a lap with Dick Hutcherson third. July 1967 was the last race on dirt for the Cup cars at this track. Dick
Hutcherson would become the first repeat winner as he battled Petty for a well earned win. Jim Hunter was third followed by James Hylton and Bobby Allison. The track was paved in 1968. In the June race, Petty claimed the win by a lap over Pete Hamilton. Hylton was third with Curtis Turner and John sears rounding out the top five. Petty would win the July event also, nipping Bud Moore at the finish line by less than one car length. Pearson was third. 1969 saw the June race increased to 300 laps. Bobby Isaac whipped the field by six laps to take the win. Pearson was second, followed by Hylton. The
July race saw Petty go to victory lane here for the fourth time. Once again he just edged out Pearson by a car length. Bobby Isaac won the May race here in 1970 by a lap over James Hylton; after leading all 200 laps. Interestingly enough, Petty did not enter the event. But Petty showed up for the July race and he and Isaac put on another classic battle. Petty would pass take the win by less than a car length over Isaac, with Dick Brooks, James Hylton, and Friday Hassler making up the top five. The final Cup race held here came in April of 1971. Petty would claim his sixth win here as he beat Benny Parsons to the finish line. In 12 Cup races held at the track, Petty ran 10 of them; won six of them. He also had a second and a third. The track had financial issues and was closed for a short time in 2009-2010. But a trio of people worked together to purchase and revive the track; making it a "special events" facility. This old speedway is also still open as of 2022 and regularly plays host to a number of touring divisions. Some special events they will host include" Southern All Stars Late Models; Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt series; World of Outlaws Late Models, among others.
All Photos copyright and are property of their respective owners