The founder of tജhe three-quarter mile Richmond International Raceway, Paul S꧃awyer, died on Saturday aged 88.

Sawyer, who promoted races in Richmond for nearly 50 years, is the man c﷽redited with transforming Richmond from a half-mile dirt oval into a three-quarter mile bullring that is among the most popular of all venues on the Nextel Cup tour.

"As NASCAR continues to grow in popularity and potential, all of us are continually reminde🌌d of our sport's roots, and the many people who were so important to laying the foundation for wh🐭at we enjoy today," commented NASCAR vice chairman Bill France.

"Paul Sawyer was one of those people. He was most certainly an important part of NASCAR's h𝄹istory.

"Paul took Richmond's race track and created one of the most modern facilities in all of NASCAR. Richmond International Race🌜way today is considered one of our fans' favourite facilities.

"Paul made his mark, without a doubt. The racing world, starting wi🉐th NASCAR, will miss him."

Richm🅰ond hosted its first NASCAR race in April 1953 and has been a constant part of the NASCAR schedule since 🍷1955. In 1959 Richmond began hosting two NASCAR Grand National (Nextel Cup) events a season and in 1988 the track was extended to its current three-quarter mile length.

Lights w♌ere added in 1991 and Richmond is now unique in that it holds all its Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series events, as well as its annual IRL IndyCar Series event under the lights.