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In Birmingham, Alabama we had at the state fairgrounds a little - I think 1/8th mile - short track that started out way back in the day as a motorcycle race track. Then it became a car track. Through the years most all the greats that came up through the NASCAR circuit raced there. It was the home track to Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, the late Neil Bonnett, Red Farmer and later the late Davey Allison with his brother the late Clifford Allison. Many of the big names - Petty, Fireball Roberts, the Flock brothers, etc. - raced there through the years. But today it's all gone. The old grandstands have been bulldozed with the rest of the fairgrounds to make room for one of the mayor's pet projects... an Olympic training facility complete with natatorium and indoor golf driving range... and polo grounds. Never seen a bit of polo played in West Birmingham. But hey. it gives the city somewhere to throw a boat load of money. Did the opinions of the racers that still came out matter.... no. Even though it's not necessarily my kind of racing it will be missed.
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