Lanier Raceplex

Lanier Raceplex (formerly Lanier Raceway and Lanier National Speedway) 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
Lanier Raceplex in 2019
LocationHall County, Braselton, Georgia
Coordinates34°9′12″N 83°48′45″W
OwnerJim Downing
Opened1982
ArchitectBud Lunsford
Former namesLanier Raceway (1982–1996), Lanier National Speedway (1997–2011)
Major eventsNASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Oval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length0.375 mi (0.600 km)
Turns4

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.

The Pro All Star Series will host a national Super Late Model event at Lanier on November 15–16, 2019. This will serve as the PASS National Championship final, and Super Late Model teams can prepare for the upcoming Snowball Derby in a few weeks in Pensacola, Florida. [4]

NASCAR Xfinity Series history

The NASCAR Busch Grand National Series (now the Xfinity Series) ran five races at the track between 1988 and 1992.[5]

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)
Kart racing at the Lanier Raceplex

Other major events

Lanie Raceplex hosts weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The track hosted 17 NASCAR Southeast Series races between 1991 and 2004. The track also hosted 2 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour events: one in 2008 and the other in 2009.

ARCA Racing Series had ran one event at the track in 2005. The race was won by David Ragan.

The facility hosted 3 ASA National Tour races between 2000 and 2004. 1 race was won by Scott Wimmer and the other two events were won by Mike Garvey.

USAR Pro Cup Series ran one race at the track in 2009.

References
  1. "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.
  2. "Lanier National Speedway Sold, Future Still In Question".
  3. "New Lanier Nat'l Speedway owner applies for two business licenses". AccessWDUN.
  5. "Lanier National Speedway". Racing-Reference.info. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
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