Near Floyd in Floyd County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Birthplace of Curtis Morton Turner

(1924-1970)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 17, 2023

1. Birthplace of Curtis Morton Turner Marker

Inscription. Curtis Turner, stock car racer, was born here and honed his driving skills hauling moonshine in these mountains. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he became a pioneering NASCAR driver. He is credited with 360 career wins both in and out of NASCAR, including 38 of 79 starts in the NASCAR Convertible Division and 17 in NASCAR's premier series. Turner co-founded Charlotte Motor Speedway, was the first driver featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, operated a successful timber business, and piloted his own aircraft. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992 and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2016.

Erected 2017 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KG-26.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 36° 56.196′ N, 80° 12.455′ W. Marker is near Floyd, Virginia, in Floyd County. Marker is on Smartsview Road Southeast (Virginia Route 661) ¼ mile south of Franklin Pike Southeast (Virginia Route 681), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 229 Smartsview Rd SE, Floyd VA 24091, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jacksonville Presbyterian Church (approx. 6.4 miles away); Nannie Harmon Howard House (approx. 6.4 miles away); Former Site of an African-American School (approx. 6.4 miles away); Floyd County War Memorial (approx. 6.4 miles away); Floyd County Civil War Memorial (approx. 6½ miles away); Floyd (approx. 6½ miles away); Rakes Mill Pond (approx. 6½ miles away); Albert Tappe Howard’s Milk House (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Floyd.

Also see . . .
1. Curtis Turner, King of Convertibles. Over parts of four seasons Virginia native Curtis Turner won nearly half the NASCAR Convertible Division races he entered. (Tom Jensen, NASCAR Hall of Fame, posted Aug. 11, 2022) (Submitted on July 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Curtis Lives!. The driver of the stock car crashing here is legendary Curtis Turner, racer, party thrower, 'shine hauler, flyer extradordinary. Unhurt, he resumed an implausible life. (Kim Chapin, Sports Illustrated, published Feb. 26, 1968) (Submitted on July 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. The Golden Era of NASCAR: Curtis Turner

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 17, 2023

2. Birthplace of Curtis Morton Turner Marker

. Documentary about the legendary driver, who drove with "total reckless abandon." (NascarAllOut, uploaded Dec. 31, 2016) (Submitted on July 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.