The property has quite an interesting history. Originally built to host harness racing, the 270-foot long grandstand could seat 7,000. The stables accommodated 350 horses, including entries from all across the country. An electric car made trips every five minutes from the Wedgewood Avenue gate to the grandstand and clubhouse atop the hill. Also, in June of 1904, the harness racing track hosted its first automobile race. Barney Oldfield, America's most famous racing driver of the period appeared at the track. A new world speed record was established when Herbert H. Lytle averaged 56.58 mph over an eight-mile distance. It was now a formidable dirt track called Cumberland Park which would later become known as the fairgrounds. In 1958 the track converted to asphalt hosting racing legends, Bobbie & Donnie Allison, Coo Coo Marlin and Red Farmer, who was born and raised within blocks of the TN State Fairgrounds. In 1958 the track hosted the first NASCAR Grand National Series which later became the NASCAR Winston Cup Series that ran through 1984. From 1984 through present day the track has been home to such great races as the All American 400 and the ASA Southeast – boasting such winners Darrell Waltrip & Rusty Wallace…while being home to one of the most successful short track, weekly racing series in the Southeast.
About the Tennessee State Fair and Fairgrounds
The Tennessee State Fair draws attendees and participants from 76 of Tennessee's 95 counties and 18 other states in 2006 and more than 230,000 people attend each year.
The Tennessee State Fairgrounds serve as a center for business, civic, cultural and social activities, and attracts more than one million people each year. The fairgrounds recently completed $2.4 million in building renovations and improvements. Built specifically for meetings, conferences, trade shows and special events, the 117-acre event venue is less than one mile south of downtown Nashville, with direct access to I-440, free on-site parking and eight buildings totaling more than 120,000 square feet of space. More information on the fair and fairgrounds can be found at
www.tennesseestatefair.org.
