Lanier Raceplex
| Location | Hall County, Braselton, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°9′12″N 83°48′45″W / 34.15333°N 83.81250°WCoordinates: 34°9′12″N 83°48′45″W / 34.15333°N 83.81250°W |
| Owner | Jim Downing |
| Opened | 1982 |
| Architect | Bud Lunsford |
| Former names | Lanier Raceway, Lanier National Speedway |
| Major events | NASCAR Whelen All-American Series |
| Oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.375 mi (0.600 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
Lanier Raceplex is a 0.375-mile paved oval racetrack located just outside Braselton, Georgia. The track opened in 1982 as a dirt track, and was paved in the mid-1980s. The track was under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banner with Super Late Models, SuperTrucks, Junkyard Dogs, Outlaw Late Models, Mini Stocks, INEX RaceCeiver/zMax Legends Cars and INEX Bandolero Cars. The track ended weekly racing at the end of the 2011 season, but will remain open for larger events.[1] But said larger events have not taken place since its closure in 2011. On January 20, 2014 it was reported that the former track owner Donnie Clack was “no longer associated” and that the track had been sold.[2]
Lanier Raceplex is located across from the Road Atlanta motor racing circuit. New photos surfaced online in August & October 2013 showing the 0.375 mi track in disrepair after having closed in 2011.
In 2014, Lanier National Speedway was purchased by Jim Downing and is being renamed Lanier Raceplex. The new venue is to host concerts and serve as a race track [3] August 12 photos emerged showing the infield walls, buildings, and facilities being razed in preparation for a complete "black lake" paving job of the entire infield and oval. Track amenities are also receiving major renovations. The track is expected to reopen by January 2016 and feature 'arrive and drive' karting, as well as host oval track (legends series), and drift events.
NASCAR Xfinity Series history
The NASCAR Busch Grand National Series (now the Xfinity Series) ran five races at the track between 1988 and 1992.[4]
| Season | Winning Driver | Car | Laps | Average Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Tommy Houston | Buick | 200 | 84.191 mph (135.492 km/h) |
| 1989 | Ronald Cooper | Buick | 200 | 77.474 mph (124.682 km/h) |
| 1990 | Chuck Bown | Pontiac | 200 | 74.033 mph (119.145 km/h) |
| 1991 | David Green | Oldsmobile | 200 | 73.250 mph (117.884 km/h) |
| 1992 | Bobby Labonte | Chevrolet | 300 | 77.735 mph (125.102 km/h) |
References
- ↑ "Gainesville: Weekly races to end at Lanier National Speedway". 11alive.com. WXIA-TV. September 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
- ↑ http://www.raceweekillustrated.com/2014/01/20/lanier-national-speedway-sold-future-still-in-question/
- ↑ http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=274737
- ↑ "Lanier National Speedway". Racing-Reference.info. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2011.