Lavonia Speedway
Motorsport track in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lavonia Speedway is a 0.375 mi (0.604 km) dirt oval short track in Lavonia, Georgia. The track primarily holds weekly events with some regional Dirt Super Late Model and 360 Sprint Car series stopping in throughout the year and has previously hosted events for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Lavonia is owned and operated by Taylor Griffith.[4][5]
| |
| Location | 6165 Lavonia Hwy Lavonia, Georgia 30553 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34.409884°N 83.038208°W |
| Capacity | 2,500 |
| Owner | Taylor Griffith |
| Broke ground | 1969 |
| Opened | September 12, 1971 |
| Architect | Henry Martin Ford[1] |
| Former names | Charlie's Raceway (1979)[2] The New Lavonia Speedway (2013–2021) |
| Major events | Current: Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series (2023, 2026-present) United Sprint Car Series (1997–present) Rusty Jordan Memorial (2021–present) Past: World of Outlaws Late Model Series (2014, 2018-2022) |
| Website | www |
| Surface | Dirt (1971-1989, 1996-present) Asphalt (1990-1995) |
| Length | 0.375 mi (0.604 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Race lap record | 14.990 (Zack Mitchell, 2022, Dirt Super Late Model[3]) |
| Paved 3/8 Mile Oval (1990–1996) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.375 mi (0.604 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Original 1/2 Mile Dirt Oval (1971–1990) | |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Length | 0.500 mi (0.805 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
Description
History
Opened on September 12, 1971, Lavonia was initially a 0.500 mi (0.805 km), semi-banked dirt track.[9] In 1990, the track was paved and shortened to a 0.375 mi (0.604 km) and retained its original baking. Finally in 1996, the asphalt was torn out and reverted to a dirt oval.[10]
The track closed in 2010 but was later brought back to competition after a few years away in 2013.[11][12]
In 2026, the track drew its biggest attendance numbers in history when NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar raced at the track.[13][14]
Weekly racing
Lavonia hosts 5 classes of weekly racing,[15] including:
Notable drivers
Notable drivers who competed at Lavonia on a regular basis include:
- Brandon 'Cornbread' Haley - Former ARCA Menards Series East driver and owner from 2010 to 2011.[16][17]
- Jeremy Mayfield - Former NASCAR Cup Series driver and owner from 1993 to 2009[18]
- Jack Pennington - NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series driver from 1989 to 1990.[19]
- Buck Simmons (1946–2012) - Dirt Super Late Model driver and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver from 1979 to 1980.[20][21]