Local raceway to host racers reunion

BYRON -- A racing legend will return to the Middle Georgia Raceway, although not driving cars.

Bobby Allison is scheduled to appear at the Middle Georgia Racers Reunion on March 11-12, reunion organizer Jeff Gilder said at a news conference at Jeff Smith Chevrolet on Wednesday.

Allison is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver who was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998.

The reunion, to be held at the historic racetrack in Byron, will feature an autograph session, vendors, racing memorabilia and vintage cars.

The Middle Georgia Raceway used to be on the main NASCAR circuit until a moonshine still was found underneath turn 3 in the late 1960s and was shut down, Gilder said.

The reunions are a way for fans and drivers to reconnect.

“It’s not just for drivers and fans of Middle Georgia Raceway but for all kinds of car racing,” said Gilder, who has been running reunions throughout the Southeast for about three years.

One of those fans is Tim Thornton, who is one of the general partners of the track.

Thornton said as teenager he would watch races at the Middle Georgia Raceway.

“I remember seeing Richard Petty and David Pearson,” he said.

Although not a race fan, Jeff Smith of Jeff Smith Chevrolet said he was a fan of bringing events such as these to the community.

“Chevrolet has been a big part of NASCAR,” he said.

Tickets are $5. Children under 8 are free.

For more information, call (478) 714-0937 or visit RacersReunion.com.

To contact writer Angela Woolen, call 923-5650.

This story was originally published February 10, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Local raceway to host racers reunion."