Greenville-Pickens Speedway

Description

Configuration

The track in its current form is measured at 0.5 mi, with 5 degrees of banking in the turns. Prior to 1970, the track had a dirt surface.

Amenities

Greenville-Pickens Speedway is served by U.S. Route 123 and South Carolina Highway 124. As of 1996, the track had a capacity of "between 9,000 and 10,000" according to The Greenville News. The track's retaining walls feature the names of previous track champions at the track as decoration.

Track history

Early years

On June 4, 1946, the Associated Press reported that auto racing promoter Bill France Sr. announced plans to host an auto racing and horse racing program in Greenville, South Carolina, on a dirt track built and financed by Bob Willimon. By the time of the announcement, the track was "near completion", with the banking of the track having been completed. According to The Greenville News, Willimon bought the land from a mail carrier and initially wanted to make the facility a horse racing-exclusive track; however, he was convinced otherwise by France Sr. Approximately three weeks after the announcement, an opening date for the now-named Greenville-Pickens Speedway was announced for July 4, with the program hosting both automobile and horse racing. The speedway opened as scheduled, with driver Ed Samples and horse Judge Patcher winning the first auto and horse races, respectively. The program was considered to be successful by local Greensville media; however, the race was marred by heavy dust. Future events that year saw sustained success, breaking the attendance record for a sporting event in South Carolina. In October, racing events on Sundays were briefly banned at the track due to local blue laws; however, the ban was overturned in the following month.

In 1947, Willimon sold controlling interest of the track to John H. Holcombe and Buddy Davenport, with each of the three owning a third of the track. Under the group's control, floodlights to host night racing were installed at the track in 1948. After five years of the group's control, the track closed for almost two years after the end of the 1952 racing season, reopening in 1954 under promoter W. A. McFalls for motorcycle racing. A year later, a new lighting system was installed under promoter Joe Bailey. On October 6, the first NASCAR Cup Series race was run at the facility, with Bob Flock winning the event after initial winner Jim Reed was disqualified for an illegal engine.

Blackwell brothers era

In December 1955, the speedway was bought by eventual long-time owners Pete Blackwell and Tom Blackwell, who demolished the existing horse stables upon purchase. In 1959, a concrete grandstand was built to replace the old existing grandstand. Four years later, seating capacity was expanded to "in an excess of 3,000". The following year, a new concrete outside retaining wall was erected on the track's backstretch; the wall was later extended to the last two turns and a part of the first two turns a year later. In 1970, Greenville-Pickens Speedway was paved after 25 racing seasons on a dirt surface; the paving was completed in two weeks in the month of April, with the new track surface hosting its first races on April 18. A year later, the track hosted the first flag-to-flag NASCAR Cup Series race broadcast on national television, broadcasting the 1971 Greenville 200 on the American Broadcasting Company's (ABC) Wide World of Sports program.

After the 1982 racing season, the Blackwells sold off the facility to firm Jarvis–Landry Associates for $1,000,000 (adjusted for inflation, $). However, two years later, the Blackwells repurchased the facility from Jarvis–Landry after the firm experienced financial issues. In 1987, the track's pit road entrance was moved to the fourth turn and the pit area was expanded. A year later, the track surface was repaved for the first time since the track's initial paving in 1970. Starting in the mid-1990s, a period of major renovations began. In 1995, the track surfaced was repaved for the second time in the track's history. Within the year, Pete Blackwell announced the construction of new concrete grandstand to replace the old frontstretch grandstand, in the process increasing seating capacity to "between 9,000 and 10,000". The expansion was completed in 1996, with Pete announced further proposed plans for seating expansion and the construction of corporate suites being announced by Pete. The upgrades led to the track being used as a testing facility for the NASCAR Cup Series, with teams often testing at the track until 2015 when a ban on testing on non-Cup Series tracks was imposed. On May 11, 2000, co-owner Pete Blackwell died, leaving Tom as the sole owner of the track.

Current Kevin Whitaker era, current period of inactivity

In January 2023, The State reported that the track faced an uncertain near future, with no racing events scheduled for the 2023 racing season and potential rumors of the facility being sold being made. Two months later, real estate company RealtyLink acquired a contract to purchase the track. On March 15, shortly after the track was listed for purchase to build an industrial park, racing driver Jackie Manley began discussing with Whitaker to lease out the facility for races, hoping to crowdfund $103,000 by mid-April. However, with the funding goal not being met in May, Manley's plans were completely scrapped in July, with only $60,000 being raised for the lease. In November, RealtyLink's plans to start construction on a 289 acre industrial park around the speedway were approved, with RealtyLink owner Phil Wilson stating that he did not wish to buy out the speedway itself. Eight months later, with the project now expanding to include 600 acre over the span of three phases, groundbreaking on the first phase of construction began on June 20. Shortly after, the racetrack itself was placed for sale by RealtyLink for $5.8 million. In January 2025, the third phase of construction, which included the demolition of the speedway, was denied by the Pickens County Planning Commission, and RealtyLink agreed to wait one year before reseeking approval for the phase. As of March 2025, it is rumored to have offers of approximately $3 million to purchase the track according to The State, which is almost half of the asking price.

Events

NASCAR

Greenville-Pickens Speedway formerly held at least one NASCAR Cup Series race in two separate periods: from 1955 to 1956 and from 1958 to 1971. The track has also held NASCAR Weekly Racing Series races since 1952 across multiple divisions. In the track's final racing season in 2022, the venue hosted five divisions: late models, super stocks, renegades, pure stocks, and a four-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive division.

Cars Tour

The track formerly held CARS Tour races on multiple occasions from 1999 to 2000, 2005, 2010, 2016, and 2020 to 2022.

State fairs

Since 1964, the track has held the Upper South Carolina State Fair.

References

References

1. Remillard, Jason. (30 August 2011). "After six weeks off, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East resumes action at Greenville-Pickens".
2. Modestino, Lou. (April 4, 2017). "Greenville Pickens Speedway could hold K and N championship crystal ball".
3. (May 22, 2015). "Greenville-Pickens Speedway returns with full schedule".
4. (April 20, 1978). "Pirkle eyes G-P track crown". [[The Greenville News]].
5. Hurley, Jack. (June 5, 1982). "Greg Porter Races To Top At Greenville". [[Anderson Independent-Mail]].
6. Womack, Chris. (May 8, 2023). "The fight is on to save historic Greenville Pickens Speedway".
7. (June 4, 1946). "Plan Auto Race Programs Here". [[The Greenville News]].
8. Howell, David. (February 26, 1974). "Greenville-Pickens Spawned Area Racing". [[The Greenville News]].
9. McGranahan, Ed. (March 18, 2005). "Speedway's thrills and NASCAR past still get fans' hearts racing". [[The Greenville News]].
10. (June 23, 1946). "Big Racing Show To Open New Speedway On July 4". [[The Greenville News]].
11. Latimer, Scoop. (July 5, 1946). "20,000 Watch Racing Program At New Speedway". [[The Greenville News]].
12. Latimer, Carter. (July 7, 1946). "Puffs And Pokes". [[The Greenville News]].
13. Hardesty, Abe. (March 23, 1996). "Greenville-Pickens quietly celebrates 50th anniversary". [[The Greenville News]].
14. Latimer, Carter. (September 2, 1946). "22,500 Fans See Sunday Auto Races At Speedway". [[The Greenville News]].
15. Rogers, Manuel J.. (October 26, 1946). "Case Against Sunday Races Now Pending". [[The Greenville News]].
16. (November 3, 1946). "Sunday Racing Injunction Dismissed By Local Judge". [[The Greenville News]].
17. Latimer, Carter. (January 15, 1947). "Willimon Sells Speedway To Local Syndicate". [[The Greenville News]].
18. Latimer, Carter. (January 31, 1948). "Night Auto Racing Planned". [[The Greenville News]].
19. Latimer, Carter. (June 5, 1948). "Quickies". [[The Greenville News]].
20. (July 2, 1954). "Greenville-Pickens Speedway Re-Opens July 3 With Big Race". [[The Greenville News]].
21. (July 31, 1955). "Greenville-Pickens Speedway Reopening For Saturday Races". [[The Greenville News]].
22. (August 5, 1955). "Stock Cars To Race Saturday At G-P Track". [[The Greenville News]].
23. (October 4, 1955). "Top Drivers Will Run At Greenville Track". [[The Index-Journal]].
24. Ballagher, Frank. (October 7, 1955). "Reed Beats Flock In 100-Mile Race". [[The Greenville News]].
25. Pearce, Al. (August 1, 2024). "The 7 Times a NASCAR Cup Series Race Winner Was Disqualified". [[Autoweek]].
26. (March 8, 1959). "Racing Season To Open At G-P Track April 4". [[The Greenville News]].
27. (April 1, 1959). "Big Weekend Of Racing Slated In Piedmont Area". [[The Greenville News]].
28. Ballenger, Frank. (January 13, 1963). "G-P Seating Capacity Now Being Increased". [[The Greenville News]].
29. Ballenger, Frank. (January 31, 1964). "Ned Jarrett Holds First Place In NASCAR Standings". [[The Greenville News]].
30. Weekes, Bill. (March 9, 1969). "Two Practice Dates Planned At G-P Speedway". [[The Greenville News]].
31. Howell, David. (April 5, 1970). "Greenville-Pickens Speedway Making Big Switch". [[The Greenville News]].
32. Howell, David. (April 17, 1970). "Drivers Going To Asphalt". [[The Greenville News]].
33. Howell, David. (April 19, 1970). "Glove Wins G-P Sportsman Feature". [[The Greenville News]].
34. Howell, David. (March 18, 1971). "Wide World Of Sports Slates Live TV For G-P Race". [[The Greenville News]].
35. Howell, David. (April 11, 1971). "Bobby Isaac Captures Greenville 200 Running". [[The Greenville News]].
36. Sandomir, Richard. (June 9, 2006). "NASCAR Back in the Day, and Today". [[The New York Times]].
37. Hardesty, Abe. (March 10, 1985). "Blackwells reclaim G-P track". [[The Greenville News]].
38. Fant, Reese. (April 7, 1985). "One more cold snap on the way – you can bet on it". [[The Greenville News]].
39. Hardesty, Abe. (March 8, 1987). "Cherokee track opens area season". [[The Greenville News]].
40. Gilstrap, Jim. (April 3, 1988). "No drivers emerging as favorites for Winston Cup title". [[Anderson Independent-Mail]].
41. (March 25, 1995). "Upstate short-track racing opens". [[The Greenville News]].
42. Hembree, Mike. (November 26, 1995). "Easley's Hendricks to drive in 24 hours of Le Mans". [[The Greenville News]].
43. Hembree, Mike. (July 11, 1996). "Full Speed Ahead". [[The Greenville News]].
44. Hembree, Mike. (December 7, 1996). "Winston Cup teams use Upstate track for testing". [[The Greenville News]].
45. Hembree, Mike. (May 13, 2000). "Racing world recalls GPS' Blackwell fondly". [[The Greenville News]].
46. Riddle, Lyn. (January 8, 2023). "Future of Easley speedway uncertain as NASCAR season looms". [[The State (newspaper).
47. Mirah, Stephanie. (March 8, 2023). "Historic Greenville-Pickens Speedway under contract to real estate developer".
48. Noss, Savannah. (March 10, 2023). "Greenville-Pickens Speedway listed for sale as an industrial park". [[Greenville Journal]].
49. Riddle, Lyn. (March 16, 2023). "Closed historic racetrack could soon reopen". [[The State (newspaper).
50. Jackson, A. J.. (April 2, 2023). "'It's for passion, history and the sake of racing'". [[The Greenville News]].
51. Noss, Savannah. (April 14, 2023). "Fundraising efforts race to the finish line to give Greenvill Pickens Speedway one last season". [[Greenville Journal]].
52. Riddle, Lyn. (May 13, 2023). "Promoters have not given up opening historic racetrack". [[The State (newspaper).
53. Riddle, Lyn. (July 30, 2023). "Contract negotiations fail at Greenville Pickens Speedway". [[The State (newspaper).
54. Riddle, Lyn. (November 11, 2023). "Construction planned around site of closed historic SC speedway". [[The State (newspaper).
55. Garcia, Emily. (November 14, 2023). "Land near Greenville-Pickens Speedway greenlit for first phase of development".
56. Riddle, Lyn. (June 15, 2024). "$100M Industrial park to be built near historic SC speedway. Here's the plan".
57. Norton, Ross. (June 20, 2024). "First tenant breaks ground on $23M project at historic racetrack site near Easley".
58. Riddle, Lyn. (July 27, 2024). "This historic SC racetrack is on sale for $5.8M. Here's why".
59. Donovan, Spencer. (January 14, 2025). "Destruction of historic Greenville-Pickens Speedway paused. But it's far from saved.".
60. Riddle, Lyn. (March 25, 2025). "SC speedway supporters continue push to save historic property. Here's the latest plan".
61. "Greenville-Pickens Speedway – Race Recaps". NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.
62. Hembree, Mike. "Why NASCAR Trimmed 17 Races, Legendary Venues from 1972 Cup Schedule".
63. (May 3, 1952). "Hot Field Of 25 Cars Expected For Stock Car Races Here Today, 2:30". [[The Greenville News]].
64. Harris, Vincent. (March 31, 2022). "Get your motor running: Greenville-Pickens Speedway still brings the thrills".
65. (March 29, 1964). "Huge Upper State Fair Planned For September". [[The Greenville News]].
66. McFall, Charles. (September 4, 1964). "Thousands At Opening Of Upper State Fair". [[The Greenville News]].
67. Wilson, Christina. (September 1, 2011). "Upper South Carolina State Fair has usual, plus serious racing".