A.W. Woodard Sr., who owned and promoted his hometown Waycross (Ga.) Motor Speedway for 35 seasons, died Saturday at Baptist Village Retirement Communities after an extended illness. He was 85.

A U.S. Army veteran who also owned and operated A&W Used Auto Parts and Woodard’s Auto Electric & Wrecker Service, Woodard ran the half-mile Waycross oval from 1962-96, including high-profile Dixie Dirt and Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series events part of Georgia-Florida Speedweeks.

Survivors include his daughter, Angela Pitts and her husband Rickey of Waycross, and his son, A.W. “Dub” Woodard Jr., of Waycross and four grandchildren. The family will hold a private graveside service. Find a complete obituary at milesodumfuneralhome.com.