GEORGIA (USA)
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1916 - LAKEWOOD FAIRGROUNDS.
Originally built as a 1 mile horse racing track by the Lakewood fairground committee, the track was built around the lake at the fairgrounds. The committee held its first event on the 4th of July 1917 before a crowd of 23,000 spectators, The feature events were a horse race and a motorcycle race.
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1917 - LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY.
The first Automobile race, a match race between Borney Oldfield and Ralph De Palma was held in the latter part of 1917.
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1919 - LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY.
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1920's / 1930's - LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY.
During the twenty's and thirty's the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) held car racing during the fair and the American Automobile Association (AAA or USAC) held its annual event on the 4th of July.
1937
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1938 - LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY.
By 1938 the track was hosting Champ Cars, Horse's, Midgets, Modifieds, Motorcycles, and Boat's on the infield lake.
The Atlantic States Racing Association, Central State's Auto Racing Association, Gulf States Automobile Association, International Stock Car Racing Association and the Motor International Association all sanctioned events at the track.
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1941 - LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY CLOSURE.
Lakewood Speedway closed in 1941, as did all USA speedways due to USA Government ban on Automobile racing because of World War 2.
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LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY REOPENS.
When Lakewood opened after the war it became the premier track for the National Stock Car Racing Association, When this association folded, NASCAR held its 1st race event at the track in 1951.
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1946 - GEORGE ROBSON - GEORGE BARRINGER.
Both George Robson and George Barringer died in a four car crash on the 2nd last lap at a champ car race on the 2nd of September 1946, Billy De Vore was attempting to finish the race at a slow pace after he had engine problems when Robson crashed into the back of him, Robson was unable to see De Vore's car until it was two late because of dust.
Robsons car was then inturn hit by Barringer and Bud Berdowski's cars, Only 9 cars were running at the time of the accident, Robson and Barrington died shortly after reaching hospital, Ted Horn the race leader who saw the incident unfold tried to warn other drivers of the impending danger was declared the winner of the event.
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1950 - SKIMP HERSEY.
Skimp received severe burns during a stock car crash at Lakewood on11th of July 1950, He died the following day.
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1952 - FRANK LUPTOW.
Frank Luptow from Tampa Florida died after the axel on his stock car broke causing it to roll, Luptow was crushed and died in the process.
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1958 - ART BIRCH.
While competing in a USAC Champ Car race on the 4th of July 1958 Art Birch lost his life after he smashed into the guard rail an rolled twice.
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1960 - ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY.
When Atlanta Motor Speedway opened just twenty miles south of Atlanta in 1960 with a new 1.5 mile circuit, Lakewood found itself without any NASCAR meetings, This led to the track loosing its appeal with the spectators, however racing did continue and the track even received a major re-surface in 1972.
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1977 - CHARLIE SWARTZ. Wingless Sprintcar's.
Turn 5 Turn Around facebook Photo feature
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1979 - LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY.
Bobby Johns recalls: My dad pictured at Lakewood Speedway in 1979, just before it closed running the sprints, Chuck Amati, the one armed bandit is next to him and Rich Vogler signing a hat behind him, I was twelve years old at the time.
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1979 - LAKEWOOD SPEEDWAY CLOSES.
During the late 1970's the track turned into a state of dis-repair, and eventually closed for the final time on the 3rd of September 1979.