The North Georgia City celebrates its racing past, present and future
DAWSONVILLE, GEORGIA—JANUARY 2024—Folks carrying moonshine in the north Georgia town of Dawsonville knew the importance of outrunning law enforcement during the Prohibition days of the 1930s. They needed to soup up their cars for speed and did so to their advantage. Their ingenuity continued after Prohibition was repealed and alcohol sales were legal again. But that need for speed prevailed and stock car racing became a sport.
Dawsonville’s early racing days eventually led to the creation of NASCAR, with some of the biggest names hailing from Dawsonville. It’s why today the town is considered the birthplace of NASCAR, home to racing greats Bill and Chase Elliott, Raymond Parks, Red Vogt, Roy Hall, Gober Sosebee and Lloyd Seay.
Georgia Racing Hall of Fame
Visitors will receive an overview of Dawsonville’s racing history, from its early moonshine origins to NASCAR’s stars at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame (415 Highway 53 East, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-216-7223). Established in 2002 as a showplace for the history of motorsports in the region, the museum features both original and replica racers from the 1940s to today. There’s also the Elliott Family Room, showcasing the triumphs of award-winning NASCAR drivers Bill “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” Elliott and his son, Chase Elliott. In addition, the museum hosts the Racing Hall of Fame, dedicated to honoring the influential figures of the sport.
The museum saw a major renovation early this year and hopes to reopen by the Daytona 500 weekend (February 18, 2024). With its extensive update, the museum now offers state-of-the-art iRacing Simulators and a new exhibit honoring Red Vogt, known as NASCAR’s first master mechanic and premier engine builder to bootleggers. Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co., as a nod to Dawsonville’s moonshine past, is scheduled to open, adjacent to the museum by Spring 2024 (February 18, 2024).
During the year, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame offers special events, such as car shows, and Grandaddy Mimm’s will routinely present live music and music trivia.
Atlanta Motorsports Park
The Dawsonville racing tradition continues with the two-mile F1-designed circuit and .85-mile pro kart tracks at the Atlanta Motorsports Park (20 Duck Thurmond Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 678-329-8051). For its “excellence and innovation in the high-performance driving and racing industry,” AMP took the prestigious 2023 Outstanding Facility Award by SPEED SPORT and was voted one of the “Top 10 racetracks in North America” by Road and Track Magazine.
The public is invited to Atlanta Motorsports Park for race viewing, kart racing leagues, racing schools and car handling experiences. The kart track caters to ages 5-70+ in 13 different classes on a race day on one of the most unique kart tracks in the world. The driving academy offers several driving courses, including the non-profit DriveStrong for teens with real-world conditions to prepare them for a lifetime of safe driving.
For those who wish to become members, Atlanta Motorsports Park offers a state-of-the-art fitness center and pool, a racing simulation room, exceptional car garages and viewing lounges, including the new VIP observation deck that overlooks the track. And if that wasn’t enough to lure the most ardent racing aficionado, Atlanta Motorsports Park now offers trackside condos.
Dawsonville Pool Room
It’s tradition that when native son Chase Elliott wins a race, owner Gordon Pirkle of Dawsonville Pool Room (9 Bill Elliott Street, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 706-265-2792) sounds the tornado siren to alert residents. For instance, in 2020, when Elliott became the youngest driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship (and the third father-son duo to win the trophy), the siren blared for hours. It’s all part of the love Dawsonville shares for the Elliott family, and the many other famous drivers hailing from the region.
As for the establishment itself, the Dawsonville Pool Room is the perfect place to enjoy its famous Bully Burger—a crisp meat patty topped with house-made slaw and served with the usual accoutrements. Diners are surrounded by racing memorabilia, from decades-old newspaper clippings covering the walls to a giant cut-out of Chase Elliott, perfect for a selfie.
Where to Stay
Just a short drive from downtown Dawsonville lies a natural oasis. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge (418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Rd, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534; 800-573-9656) offers visitors miles of hiking trails, a cozy lodge situated on top of a mountain with breathtaking views, attractions such as zip lining and a dramatic 729-foot waterfall, the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The park’s also eight miles from the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and the new welcome center tells the trail’s history through exhibits and interactive displays.