by Larry McReynolds

But one of the grassroots racetracks of our sport that has gone through a lot of renovations to become one of the best racing venues in America is Richmond International Raceway.

Paul Sawyer, center, is flanked by drivers Jeff Gordon, left, Terry Labonte, center, and Dale Jarrett before the 1997 spring race at Richmond International Raceway. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Jim Caiella / Associated Press)

Richmond was a dirt track at Virginia's State Fairgrounds when NASCAR's premier series started racing there in 1953. Through the years, it became one of the neatest little half-mile bullring race tracks in the country. Then in 1988, they took it to a new level, redesigning it as a 3/4-mile track and putting up lights to become one of the first Cup venues to run two night races a year.

Speed Mail Larry McReynolds
SpeedMail Subject: Comment/Question: Name:  Email:  Hometown:

Paul Sawyer, who bought the track in 1955 and sold it to the International Speedway Corporation in 1999, was the main force behind these changes. Unfortunately, he passed away last weekend. A lot of times when you go to a funeral, the pastor talks about celebrating a person's life. Trust me. That was said at Paul Sawyer's funeral on Tuesday because if there's a man who enjoyed every day of life to the fullest, it was Paul Sawyer.

Sawyer was a stock car racing pioneer who went through tough times that paved the way to grow NASCAR into America's No. 1 spectator sport. He will be remembered a long time and very much missed.

---

FOX race analyst Larry McReynolds has more than 25 years of NASCAR experience as a mechanic, crew chief and broadcaster. He and his fellow Crew Chief Club members take you behind the wall at www.crewchiefclub.com.

"Larry McReynolds: The Big Picture" is on bookstore shelves now, or you may order your own autographed copy from www.DWStore.com.