photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Steve Cavanah | profile | all galleries >> Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway History tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway History

History of the Tennessee State Fair
Pace Cars
Pace Cars 		Newspaper
Newspaper 		Fairgrounds Dirt Track
Fairgrounds Dirt Track 		Malcomb Brady Eddie Mitchell Crash July 21,1963
Malcomb Brady Eddie Mitchell Crash July 21,1963 		Aerial
Aerial
Nashville Racing History
Nashville Racing History 		Racing
Racing 		Nashville Modified Stock Car Racing
Nashville Modified Stock Car Racing 		Fairgrounds 1/4 Mile Racing
Fairgrounds 1/4 Mile Racing 		Track History
Track History
Late Model Stock Car
Late Model Stock Car

comment | share
james hensley 03-Aug-2011 23:25
ive got a pic of my grand mall that i would like

to get on your web site it my dads pic if i send it on a email
Sandy Ivey 18-Jun-2011 22:53
Great Pictures! My Uncles and Dad raced! #83 and #84 Glenn Ivey.
Guest 25-Jan-2011 02:50
Anyone know any of the names of the powder puff drivers in the 1968 picture?????
Mike Sanders 23-Dec-2010 18:45
I'm glad to have stummbled onto this site. My first memory is of going over to Carl Lanes house on Glenrose Avenue with my brother to letter a 55 Chevy and a 63 Chevy, both being Orange in color. It was my brother's first lettering job on a racecar. I think it was the year 1965. Signs and Designs by Don Sanders was my late brothers name. He spent alot of time pinstripping and lettering many of the Fairground cars including Jimmy Griggs number 709 Late Model open wheel cars and Chevelles and many more through the years. Thank you for the fond memories again of all the drivers and cars also of The Fairground Speedway Track. Mike Sanders
miss3bad 25-Nov-2010 23:32
hi, looking for more photos' of dale earnhardt driving the tuobo blue chevy? or photo's of the car? or any more he drove.
thanks dan
Guest 12-Oct-2010 06:35
My father Bubba Francis had several cars in the 70's. We were at the races for most of my childhood. It's good to see some of the old pics from that time.
T.Clinard 01-Mar-2010 05:48
Does anyone remember or have photos of #77 Wayne Johnson, it was a competition chevy orange 1957 Belair built by Wayne Johnson and Don Clinard of Nashville that was run in the mid 60's ?
Peyton Northern, Jr. 01-Mar-2010 02:31
P.Northern...My Dad, Peyton Northern, was a mechanic for Jimmy Griggs, when he drove 709 and won the point championship in '62. We got an all expense paid trip to Daytona, to run in the Sportsman 300, the day before the 500 IF we built a car. I was in the 8th grade. Got out of school for a week, they hid me in the trunk of a car to get me in the infield. The picture of Jimmy Griggs and what looks like a 57 Chev Body with a modified nose, is the car we took to Daytona. Thanks for all the great memories here of drivers like Bullit Bob Reuther, Eddie Mitchell, Malcolm Brady, Red Farmer, Bobby and Donnie Allison, Marty Robbins, L.J. Hampton,P.B.Crowell, coo Coo Marlin, and more.
David N Evans 12-Jan-2010 03:09
I Attended my first race at Fairgrounds speedway in 1960. During that season or the next in 1961 (if my memory serves correctly?) A Driver "had a heart attach on the back straightaway" He never lifted and hit the guardrail in the third turn of the quarter track. I would like to know if anyone out-there remembers who this was? If know please contact me at eagle1116@comcast.net This is driving me crazy. Thanks David Evans
Johnny 02-Dec-2009 18:50
Carl Lane was my grandfather and he just passed away. RIP Paw Paw. What a great man.
Guest 04-Nov-2009 00:34
love to see more of those great pictures of the good ol days at the best damn race track in tennessee because memories is all we will have damn shame
Bobby Varnon 10-Oct-2009 05:20
I have enjoyed this site and would like to thank all who have contributed photos, time and resorces. Thank You again... Bobby Varnon Huntsville Alabama
Deborah Oats Conn 08-Oct-2009 15:09
Sorry, forgot to mention Pappy Oats my Grandfather ran the wrecker service for the race track for years. Any photos of him would greatly be appreciated. Thank you Deb
Deborah Oats Conn 08-Oct-2009 15:05
These pictures bring back so many memories for me. My Grandfather was Lawrence "Pappy" Oats, Oats Garage. He was my whole world. If anyone has any pictures of him with the wrecker etc. please e-mail me. I hope so bad that we can keep our race track it holds alot of memories. These pictures are truly awesome and thank you for sharing them. Debbie
paul judd 07-Oct-2009 23:40
i love all of those pictures they bring back lots of memories especially the 1960,s
David Joiner 03-Oct-2009 02:53
I really have enjoyed looking at pictures of the drivers and their cars I often watched race at the track since the early 1960's. They bring back many good memories and a few sad. The open wheel modifieds have always been my most favorite and exciting cars to watch when I was young. I'm sorry to say but it looks like the Fairgrounds track will be going the same route as Birmingham Fairgrounds Speedway last year and be dismantled since the State Fair will be discontinued. Both tracks date back to the early part of the 20th century for auto racing events.
art mullins 17-Sep-2009 04:03
these pictures sure bring back alot of good memories and great times.when racing was fun and all you worried about was if your favorite driver was going to win.I SURE MISS THOSE TIMES
Larry Baker 16-Sep-2009 15:01
Its sad and scary that these pictures might be all we have of our beloved fairgrounds speedway. The future of the track doesnt look good to me.Mr Cavanah I realy love these pictures. I would like to frame them every one and hang them all on my liveing room wall.
Jimmy Greer 21-Aug-2009 15:28
Please post more pictures.
Thank You,
Jimmy
Thomas Proctor 07-Aug-2009 00:00
I had a brother and law, I use to go and watch in the 60's. His name was Doc Norris. I would love to have some pictures of him. These pictures on this site bring back fond memories of the Fairgrounds. Thanks for the hard work.
TM 44 16-Jul-2009 01:36
My Dad Tom Metler built cars and had other people drive them for him from 1960-1963. One of his drivers was Bobby Evelsisor, if anyone has some pics of an old 34 Ford coupe, number 34 and 35 or a number 3 Ford coupe I would appreciate if you coule email them to me at TMet44@hotmail.com, Thanks very much , Tommy Metler, Knoxville, I race at 411 motor speedway in Seymour, Tennessee now. Thank you....44
Martin Lyles 14-Jul-2009 18:44
These Are Great Pictures. Many Memories. Thanks
The photo is (Left to Right) Flookie Buford, Billy McRae, Ben Pruitt, Buddy Baker, Paul Goldsmith, Pete Hamilton, and Lee Roy Yarbrough
Guest 14-Jul-2009 03:47
Great pictures! Please post more. My father raced in the Cadet division in 64 and 65. He won one race. I'm not sure if it was a heat race or feature. His car was a Ford, late 50's model #25 and light blue. Is there a picture out there? Thanks so much for the memories.
DONNIE KAYLOR 03-Jul-2009 14:14
GREAT PICTURES, I CAN SEND YOU A FEW MORE.....THANKS FOR A FANTASTIC SITE.
DONNIE KAYLOR
Steve Cavanah 11-Jun-2009 02:52
Special thanks to:

Mike Barrett
Ken Binkley
Tony Formosa
Maxey Grubbs
Cory Jones
Jimmy Liebengood
Fred Marchman
Tommy Marchman
Marshall Polk
Joe Ryman
Russ Thompson
Dennis Wiser

for their contribution to this collection.
Donnie Winters 08-Jun-2009 17:29
Steve I enjoyed meeting and talking with you at the wedding Saurday. you can find me at myspace.com/donniewintersmusic
tommy 14-May-2009 16:48
thanks for all the great pics...goning to fairgrounds since 1961... seen most of these great drivers..thanks for the memories
KEN BINKLEY 12-May-2009 03:31
THERE ARE MANY PICTURES OF THE BY-GONE DAYS FLOATING AROUND, BUT I BELIEVE THESE COVER A LOT OF THEM. BEING RAISED AROUND THE OLD DIRT TRACK ON COWAN AVE I BECAME A RACE FAN AT THE RIPE OLD AGE OF SIX, THAT WAS SIXTY TWO TEARS AGO AND I STILL LOVE THE SPORT. MY PRAYER IS THAT THE HISTORY IF STOCK CAR RACING WILL ALWAYS BE KEPT ALIVE. I BELIEVE IT CAN WITH THE HELP OF PAST AND PRESENT FANS.COMEON OUT AND LEND YOUR SUPPORT, YOU WOLL NOT BE DISAPOINTED. KRN BINKLEY
Sandi 19-Apr-2009 03:11
Oh one more thing don't be scared of getting embarrased, so load up your cars and bring them on down to carthage and get your butts handed to you. The owners are awesome and the fans are great come to where there's no fighting and cars being destroyed from hotheads and people that can't drive so come big are small but atleast come see bo and arty go to riverview speedway website and see the start times so come join us and see what real racing is all about
Sandi 19-Apr-2009 03:04
If any of you so called drivers want to race at a real race track I challenge you all to come to Riverview Speedway, thats where real drivers are racing come try your luck if you think you have a chance GOOD LUCK because you'll need it........
Sandi 19-Apr-2009 03:04
If any of you so called drivers want to race at a real race track I challenge you all to come to Riverview Speedway, thats where real drivers are racing come try your luck if you think you have a chance GOOD LUCK because you'll need it........
Robert W. Baron 17-Apr-2009 04:25
Great gallery and thanks for sharing. I'm a bit North of you but this does bring back a lot of memories of which for me was the Milwaukee Mile.
PPPFPO'L Diaries 16-Apr-2009 03:37
Love this : ]
Donny Lane 02-Apr-2009 16:45
Wow this is great was just wanted to know if anyone out there has any photos of the 44 and 33 cars Carl Lane and jerry long were the drivers the cars were orange and white the name on them was the Triple l CHEVELLE THAT WAS lANE LAWSON AND LONG. CARL AND JERRY ARE MY UNCLES
Guest 01-Apr-2009 02:46
Wow! Thanks for posting. Awesome gallery!
Chip Curley 15-Mar-2009 12:36
Before my time, but amazing!
Guest 05-Mar-2009 19:32
Thank you so much for these pictures...Forrest Prine was my Grandfather and I have many fond memories of weekends at the track. My grandmother handmade his flags. I remeber as a kid the flags were in the dining room of their house and me and my brothers played with them all the time. Papa Prince was a great man and from the time I was a very little boy..I wanted to be just like him.
Bracciodiferro 05-Mar-2009 06:18
Absolute GREAT!!!VVV
Paolo
Peter 05-Mar-2009 06:17
I love pics from the sixties, must have been a great time. Thanks.
Guest 05-Mar-2009 03:38
I am so glad I found this website. I have been looking for some pictures of my grandfather (Forrest Prince). He was the flagman for a few years. Thanks for the pictures.
Rossi A. 03-Mar-2009 08:21
I love this gallery, old time race fan here.
zach griggs 25-Oct-2008 06:41
great collection of pictures i really like the ones of my grandfather jimmy griggs do u have any more my email is jzg2448@yahoo.com
Mike Stobbs 09-Nov-2007 00:47
Just a super collection of old prints...well done Steve.........Mike
mike 08-Nov-2007 09:58
enjoyed these old pics steve, even a coloured one....you in one of those pics steve?
Arlon 08-Nov-2007 01:41
WOW, what a great collection of old pictures..
click on thumbnails for full image