Naman, Talladega's first GM, passed away Monday

Don Naman, Talladega Superspeedway's first general manager, who promoted race tracks and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame as if they were gatherings of his closest friends, died Monday following a lengthy illness.

Naman, 75, was a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., who was introduced to the South while serving in the U.S. Air Force. His motorsports introduction came through drag racing, but when a buddy talked him into going to the inaugural NASCAR Grand National event at the current Atlanta Motor Speedway, he was hooked on stock cars.

In 2007, Naman told reporter Michael Moats of the Knoxville [Tenn.] News-Sentinel, "I wasn't into stock car racing. I couldn't see the excitement in cars going around in circles. Chub Smith convinced me to go with him to the first race at Atlanta in 1960. I was astounded. The speed with 40 cars was amazing. I remember saying 'Lord, I'd like to be a part of this.' "

Naman's entrée to the stock car genre of the sport came when he worked at Smoky Mountain Raceway in Maryville, Tenn., from 1965-1969. He brought a NASCAR sanction to the track that transitioned from a dirt half-mile to a fast asphalt track.

Naman earned NASCAR's "promoter of the year" honor, apparently from ignoring NASCAR's plea to reschedule the track's Grand National date due to a conflict with a Billy Graham religious crusade taking place at the nearby University of Tennessee football stadium.

Naman's diligence at seeking alternate routes for his fans and getting the word out to them that not only would the event be held, but how to get there, resulted in a sold-out facility.

Bill France, NASCAR's founder, apparently saw a promoter after his own heart and, after Alabama International Motor Speedway -- now known as Talladega Superspeedway -- opened in 1969, Naman was named its first general manager, in 1970.

He held that position for 18 years and had an impact across all levels of society, from the highest political positions in the state, to his local neighborhood and his beloved race fans.

Naman and his wife, Joanne, who preceded him in death a number of years ago, always held gatherings of company employees and the track's "White Flag Club" businessman's auxiliary at their home -- a tradition that was carried on by current NASCAR president Mike Helton during his time as Talladega's president.

Naman's impact was summed-up Monday in a statement issued by Talladega Superspeedway chairman and International Motorsports Hall of Fame executive director Grant Lynch.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Naman family and friends as they mourn the loss of Don. Don played a significant role in the growth of Talladega Superspeedway during his 18 years as general manager. When Don transitioned to the executive director role at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum, he poured his heart and soul into the facility. He was a wonderful man with a wealth of knowledge on all things racing. He will truly be missed."

Services for Naman are scheduled for Thursday in Pell City, Ala.