Richmond mourns a visionary owner
Former Richmond International Raceway owner Paul C. Sawyer, whose vision for a unique motorsports facility helped make the track into one of the most popular stops on the NASCAR circuit, has died aged 88.
Sawyer, who promoted NASCAR races in Richmond since 1955, helped modernize Richmond International Raceway with several visionary projects, beginning with paving the once-dirt facility in 1968.
As the sport continued to grow and competition increased, Sawyer rebuilt the 0.542-mile track into a modern, three-quarter mile facility during the middle of the 1988 season. Three years later, lights were added to the facility and today, Richmond International Raceway hosts all three major NASCAR touring series and the IRL IndyCar Series: it is the only facility to hold all of its events 'under the lights'.
"All of us who knew Paul Sawyer are deeply saddened by his passing," said William C. France, chairman of current RIR owners International Speedway Corporation. "Not only was Paul a great ambassador for the world of motorsports and Richmond International Raceway, he was a close friend of the France family.
"Paul touched many lives in many different ways and International Speedway Corporation, Richmond International Raceway, the France family and the entire motorsports world will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
Paul Sawyer was born June 26, 1916 in Norfolk, VA, where he later worked at the Naval Air Station from 1939 until his early retirement in 1965. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was introduced to racing as a teenager by his neighbors, the Tadlock family of Norfolk, who was well known for racing sprint and midget cars at tracks in Virginia and North Carolina. But it was not until reaching his mid 30's that he turned his love of racing into a full-time passion.
Along with racetracks in Wilson, NC and Virginia Beach, VA, Sawyer invested in Richmond International Raceway - then known as "Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds" - with Virginia native and legendary racer Joe Weatherly in 1955. He bought Weatherly out of his interest in the tracks and took control of the facility in Richmond in 1956. After the Wilson, NC facility burned down on Easter Sunday in 1958, Sawyer turned his attention solely to promoting races in Richmond.
He ran Richmond International Raceway until he sold the track, along with the surrounding property, to International Speedway Corporation in 1999. He remained the track's Chairman of the Board until his death.
"Paul Sawyer's vision and dedication helped make Richmond International Raceway one of the top facilities in motorsports," said Doug Fritz, president of Richmond International Raceway. "His contributions to the city of Richmond and Henrico County are immeasurable. All of us who work at the track are deeply saddened by his passing."
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