Peach State Speedway is now history, at least in name.
The track, which was recently purchased by a partnership comprised of Jim and Tony Gresham of Gresham Motorsports and Gene Roberts a former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief and current Gresham Motorsports’ late model crew chief for driver Max Gresham, will be re-christened Gresham Motorsports Park.
It will be the fourth name for the facility, which is touted as the fastest paved half-mile oval in the state.
The track opened as Jefco Speedway in July of 1967, hosting its first event, a NASCAR sanctioned Late Model Sportsman raced dubbed the “Tiger 200.”
That first event, fittingly, was won by “Tiger Tom” Pistone of Chicago, Ill.
The track was later renamed Georgia International Speedway in the early 1980s, then was rechristened Peach State Speedway after the track sold in the early 1990s.
According to a track press release, the owners agreed that the name change would fit the new facility because of the desire of the Gresham family to bring the most professional and exciting automobile racing to the facility.
The release said the partnership will make needed changes to bring to the 41-year old facility the best racing possible for fans and drivers.
Track General Manager Dan Elliott gets a look at the facility from the flag stand. Elliott says track officials plan an “extreme makeover” for the speedway
He has been in racing almost all of his life, from short tracks to the highest ranks of NASCAR. Officials said Elliott plans to use every resource available to make this the best racetrack in the country.
”We plan to do an extreme makeover, race track edition,” Elliott said this week. “This track once hosted some of the most famous drivers that ever raced and if anyone can do that again I want to be the man to do it. I want this to be the track where new talent is discovered.
“I am excited and proud to be a part of the new Gresham Motorsports Park and highly praise the Greshams and Gene Roberts for this awesome opportunity.”
The track previously held events for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup events, which was then called the Grand National Series. In 1968, the series’ season finale was held at the track, with Cale Yarborough winning. The series would visit the track again in November of 1969, with Bobby Isaac taking the win.
In 1983, the track’s signature event, the World Crown 300, was held for the first time.
Fittingly, the sale of the track was official following the conclusion of the 25th running of the World Crown on Nov. 9 of this year.
The new track owners plan to unveil the facility’s future plans after the New Year.
For further information and to view the track’s current updates, you can visit the track’s website at www.greshammotorsportspark.com.
