Randy Bethea knocked NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip off of the pole position during qualifying for the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series (now known as the Nationwide Series)1973 Southern 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
Randy Bethea is one of one seven African Americans to compete in NASCAR's top tier division, now known as the Sprint Cup.
The one and only NASCAR Sprint Cup start for Randy Bethea in the 1975 World 600 in Charlotte, N.C. also happened to be the first career Cup start for late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. The race was won by Richard Petty.
Bluff City, Tenn. racer John A. Utsman was known for being at the top of the list to be called in as a relief driver for the stars of NASCAR of the 1970s. In 1973 Utsman drove the majority of the race in Bristol, TN which was credited as a victory for Benny Parsons. He also relieved for several Cup drivers of the era including Bobby Allison and Janet Guthrie.
Paul Lewis of Johnson city, Tenn. earned one career victory in the NASCAR Cup series in the 1966 Smoky Mountain 200 at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn. He was driving a car prepared by fellow Johnson City racers Jess Potter and Herman Beam, and finished two second ahead of NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson.