2007 Middle Georgia Raceway Driver & Fan Reunion

The 2007 Middle Georgia Raceway Driver & Fan Reunion will be held on Saturday November 3rd at Central City Park in Macon, GA. This year’s reunion will commemorate the 50 th anniversary of the last automobile race held at historic Central City Speedway and we hope you will be here with us.

As always, the former NASCAR drivers and local racing heroes who competed at either Middle Georgia Raceway or Central City Speedway will be the main attraction for the race fans who love to meet the drivers and get their autograph.

Automobile racing began on Central City Park’s 1-mile dirt track in the 1920’s (the 1-mi. track is still there today). Following WW II a ½ mi. dirt oval was built inside the mile track as stock car racing became popular in the south. NASCAR sanctioned races at Central City Speedway’s half-mile track from 1951 through 1954 and some of the drivers who won there include Herb Thomas, Lee Petty, Fonty Flock and Hershel McGriff.

Central City Park’s 1-mile and half-mile dirt tracks made significant contributions to Georgia’s rich racing heritage. Many Georgia racers played key rolls in the early development of motorsports. Notable racing pioneers from Macon include Ralph Mulford who finished second in the inaugural Indianapolis 500. Maconite’s Buddy and Foggy Callaway were both listed in the 1932 Who’s Who of Auto Racing. The Callaway brothers campaigned their “Big Cars” all over the US. Macon also lays claim to “Speedy” Morelock, a self-taught engineering genius who built and raced sprint cars prior to building NASCAR stockers. George Yetter also raced midgets and sprint cars out of his Macon garage.

Following WW II, stock car racing gained popularity and Middle Georgia produced its share of local heroes. Among the notable Georgian stock car drivers who raced at Central City Speedway are Roz Howard, Barney Smith, Jessie James Taylor, Big John Hutto, Nero Steptoe, Charles Tidwell, Buck Smith, the Bennett brothers, Eddie MacDonald, Sam McQuagg, Charlie Mincey and many others.

Several of the surviving drivers who raced at Central City Speedway 50 years ago will be attending the reunion along with a host of NASCAR drivers and local racing heroes who raced at Middle Georgia Raceway from 1966 until it closed in 1984.

Admission and parking are free and the public is invited to join us on Saturday Nov. 3, 2007 as we celebrate the history and share the thrill of America’s greatest spectator sport, auto racing. Gates open at 10 AM and the activities conclude at 4 PM.

Yall Come!