The 1961 Dixie 400 was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on September 17, 1961, at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. A filming of a full-length feature Hollywood film entitled Thundering Wheels was a part of the festivities planned for this race in addition to a 210-minute performance by some of the legendary performers from the Grand Ole Opry.Local beauty pageant personality Linda Vaughn was chosen to be the queen of the 1961 running of the Dixie 400.