For the last 42 years, the East Alabama Motor Speedway has been serving the Phenix City area. Not just providing entertainment, but bringing an economic boost as well.

"On our large events, the hotels, the restaurants, the grocery stores, all of that gets a lot of business from our customers," said Promoter and Race Director, Beverly Thomas Thompson. "We bring a lot of people here into the area, so I think it helps the city and everybody."

Because the 50-60 racers and the hundreds of spectators each weekend are just a small part of the East Alabama Motor Speedway's success. It's a track that's been around since 1973, all thanks to the late Jimmy Thomas.

"He found this piece of property out here and it was absolutely perfect for a nice local dirt track," said Marketing Director, Robert Jenkins.

Thomas built the track from the ground up, and after his passing, his family took it over.  That included his daughter Beverly."

"There's pictures of when my dad was building the track, I'm an infant and that's all I know," said Thompson. "It's fun, and we enjoy it, and it's just been part of our lives."

It's a family business that's only expanded since its first race. This oval dirt track is one of the most popular dirt tracks in the south as stock car drivers from all over come to race on it.

"I can't believe to see how it started and got to this point," said Jenkins. "Especially with the big races when we have crowds of people here, it's just unbelievable."

It's a unique venue. The bleachers are concrete and the track itself doesn't have an outside retaining wall. They're all qualities that scream Jimmy Thomas.

"He really looked to the future and did a lot of stuff ahead of its time that made it nice for us," Beverly said.

Which means the future is looking bright as more features and facilities will eventually be added.

"We're always expanding things and adding events and trying to look for stuff for people to enjoy," said Beverly. "All kinds of different things throughout the year that people enjoy to see."

To check out the East Alabama Motor Speedway's racing schedule, you can visit their website at www.eamsdirt.com.