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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. 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History:
Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.
Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.
Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award".
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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<a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. 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During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/phenix-city-al/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phenix City, AL</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/phenix-city-al/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/phenix-city-al/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phenix City, AL</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/phenix-city-al/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/phenix-city-al/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phenix City, AL</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/phenix-city-al/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/phenix-city-al/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/phenix-city-al/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his" name="description"/> <meta content="East, Alabama, Motor, Speedway, Phenix, City, AL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway"/> <meta property="og:description" content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="32.4603"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-85.1465"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">East Alabama Motor Speedway</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>4238 US Highway 80 West</div> <div> <span>Phenix City</span>, <span>AL</span> <span>36870</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.eamsdirt.com/" target="_blank">East Alabama Motor Speedway</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 334-297-2594</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=East+Alabama+Motor+Speedway%2C+4238+US+Highway+80+West%2C+Phenix+City%2C+AL+36870" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>History:</p> <p>Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. During his service in World War II he requested a transfer to the motor pool which furthered his interests as a mechanic. After his military time Jimmy returned home and was found hanging around the old Columbus, Georgia Speedway, eventually catching the racing bug and building a car which he drove himself. An early accident and serious injuries convinced Jimmy to make the change from driver to car owner and he saw fit to put Walt Kruger, known as the "Muscogee Flyer", behind the wheel of his racer. Together the team earned the Auburn-Opelika Speedway championship and won more than anyone else that season on the Georgia dirt racing circuit. To put icing on the cake Jimmy would gain great respect around the ovals for being named Mechanic of the Year in Georgia - the first award of its kind presented to a local mechanic.</p> <p>Early in the 1960's Thomas went into business opening the Good and Bad Furniture Store in Columbus, but more importantly, next door Jimmy's Speed Shop, originally founded in 1954, became a full-time operation offering services for racers of all types.</p> <p>Following his NASCAR exploits Jimmy returned home to his family and the world of dirt late model racing. His dream of building and promoting a race facility came to be when, in 1973, he built from the ground up the East Alabama Motor Speedway, one of the south's most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. East Alabama quickly became a weekly gathering place for much of the Southeast's top dirt late model talent with its well run programs and ripe purses. The track would also receive a NASCAR sanction in 1978, hold Robert Smawley's inaugural NDRA event in 1978 and become home to one of dirt late models racing's biggest annual events - the National 100 held there each season since 1975. Jimmy also became active in promoter's workshops and in 1974 received the Southern Auto Racing News "Promoter of the Year Award". </p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/phenix-city-al/report/place/east-alabama-motor-speedway-phenix-city-al.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/phenix-city-al/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Phenix City</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/phenix-city-al/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-PHENIXCITY-AL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Alabama Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Alabama</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ALAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ALAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Alabama</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-in-your-state/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-PHENIXCITY-AL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alabama.AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpalabama/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="East Alabama Motor Speedway - Phenix City, AL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="History: Jimmy Thomas, the patriarch of the Thomas family, began it all back in the 1940's with his fascination for tinkering with automobiles. 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