Built in 1949 by businessman and auto racing pioneer Melvin L. Joseph, Georgetown Speedway was a half mile dirt oval where many racing legends got their start. The Delaware Stock Car Racing Association sanctioned the first race there on March 18, 1950. The speedway was NASCAR sanctioned from 1953-1957 and from 1959-1963, and over the years it became well-known across the country for its role in the development of stock car racing.