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Auto racing is a major fare in virtually any southern city. But in a city the size of Savannah, you wouldn't expect auto racing to be as big as it is. Many different forms of racing have come and gone in Savannah in hopes that the sport will be huge here. In fact just a few years ago the Chatham County paid for an Indy-style race track to be built on Hutchison Island just on the other side of the Savannah River from the downtown area. For two years the Indy lights series called this track home for part of its annual schedule. But debts outnumbered profits and now the course is inactive in large part.
Stock car racing still happens on a weekly basis in Savannah. At Oglethorpe Speedway off Jesup Road along Highway 80, you can catch some NASCAR Winston Racing every Friday night. They host street-stock, mini-stock and late-model stock car divisions. Some big name racers periodically come to Savannah to try out the track. You can watch racing at Oglethorpe Speedway for $8 a person. Racing starts at 8 p.m. Friday nights.
Drag racing has been in Savannah for years. The city has a 0.8-mile track and holds weekly grudge competitions as well as races for the National Hot Rod Association. The drag racing track is located off Highway 17 a mile west of Chatham Parkway in the western part of Chatham County. This is a great place to enjoy some good racing and some good food. Of course, the track offers concessions, but there's plenty of room for you to bring your own grill and food and cook yourself. And it's perfectly fine with track management! Races are on Thursdays and Saturdays, and tickets cost under $10 each.
Savannah is filled with all kinds of auto racing fans. For many people in Savannah and the surrounding area, auto racing is more than just a hobby; it's a way of life. Some fans travel with their favorite racers each week to see how their racers perform week in and week out. And it's not uncommon to see bumper stickers on many of cars and trucks around town touting the driver's favorite racers.
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