VALDOSTA 75 SPEEDWAY - VALDOSTA GA
Located south of town on Race Track Road, off of I-75, the 1/2 mile dirt Valdosta-75 Speedway. The tra ck actually existed from the 1920's through the 1960's. This track opened up when neighboring Thunderbowl Speedway closed its doors. The first time the Cup stars came to this track was in 1962. Richard Petty won the pole, but Ned Jarrett would take away the lead and drive off to beat Petty by over a lap. Joe Weatherly was third. Ned Jarret again looked to have the best car when NASCAR returned in 1964. He led the first 62 laps before his rear end gave out. Buck Baker picked up the lead; and Battled LeeRoy Yarbrough for the top spot. In the end Baker beat Yarbrough by about 15 seconds to claim the
trophy and $1,000 top payout. Cale Yarborough won the 1965 edition of the race as he beat JT Putney by three laps. It wasn't as easy as it sounds though; as Dick Hutcherson led the first 161 laps, and then fell out when his rear end went out. Then GC Spencer looked like he was on his way to capture the flag when with just 18 laps to go he started having engine problems. It would finally blow up with four laps to go, and Spencer would still end up third. Thunderbowl Speedway reopened in 1967, and Valdosta 75 speedway ceased operation in 1968.
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