North Wilkesboro Speedway was also one of NASCAR's original eight race tracks. The track sat dormant for 12 years, with several independent groups working to purchase it from Smith but not willing to meet his lease demands or a reported $10 million that would need to come afterwards. Autoweek participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. In the words of North Wilkesboro native & NASCAR driver Benny Parsons: “Trust me, there was nothing to do in the mountains of North Carolina back in the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. North Wilkesboro Speedway was for sale, but the asking price of $12 million was reportedly too rich for any enterprising developer wishing to make repairs but still turn a profit – and it was significantly higher than the $4.83M value established by the county tax assessor. Years before the 1948 founding of NASCAR, Wilkes County and the surrounding areas were known as the Moonshine Capital of America. Among them were the now-defunct ASA Late Moder Series, USA Racing Pro Cup Series, and PASS Super Late Models. It’s location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains was very convenient for distillers and distributors of moonshine, and they all had very fast cars. He gave that city a second chance to have stock-car racing back at the speedway, and the local government just didn’t appreciate having it.”. In the time the famous track was opened it amassed 93 total races for NASCAR's top series. As a result, McBride asked for $50,000 annually, but the city council balked after an initial pledge near that amount. The North Wilkesboro Speedway shares NASCAR’s birth year, 1949, and carried on hosting NASCAR events till it closed its doors to the public in 1996. Many of these tracks have been leveled and housing developments are in their places, but these tracks should not be forgotten.

I think our crowd would have been even bigger if people didn’t have to fly back home the day of the race.”.
The track's demise occurred when disputes with city government and track management forced NASCAR to pull its top series race in 1984. Along the line, he managed to get more people on his side as partners (Lawson Curry, Jack Combs and Charlie Combs). “It’s a historical piece of NASCAR property, and if the right opportunity presented itself, we would entertain offers to sell it.”. North Wilkesboro Speedway – Author: Mike Kalasnik – CC by 2.0. But rounding the corner toward the front gate paints a much bleaker image—an empty parking lot, faded paint, collapsed buildings and a groundskeeper dutifully cutting the grass on his John Deere mower. The race itself brought over $1 million of economic impact to the region, and the two-year revival period contributed more than $3 million overall. After its closure, the track was reopened only once in 2010 as a host of several Stock Car Series races. “He’s a businessman, and it’s a family that comes from business. The track opened the Cup series season from 1970-1981 until they moved the Daytona 500 to that spot on the schedule in 1982. “People would come up to me in tears just wanting to thank me and the team for what we had done. There was never going to be as long as you had to deal with the local government. Bill France did his job and promoted the first official better than he was paid for. Banged up banner – Author: Mike Kalasnik – CC by 2.0. It was a sad day, but also a real character-building experience for me. The track hosted NASCAR events up until 1968, when Bill France Sr. had to give up on the track due to a local uprising against the speedway. It was a toxic environment, and they spread their poison over everything we did.”, Watch NHRA's DeJoria Escape Huge Fireball in Texas.

In 1949 on October the 16th, North Wilkesboro Speedway hosted the eighth and final race of the 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock Division. He was so impressed that he decided to build a track of his own. It was amazing racing, and it’s just a shame that we couldn’t have stayed there longer.”. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Nobody Saw More NASCAR Cup Races Than Joe Baumann, NASCAR Xfinity Series champ Tyler Reddick confident heading to next chapter of his career, Myatt Snider joins Richard Childress Racing for NASCAR Xfinity slate, Opinion: NASCAR Xfinity Big Three poised to deliver in Cup after thrilling championship race, Track president confident Homestead-Miami Speedway can survive loss of NASCAR finals, NASCAR Homestead Xfinity race results: Tyler Reddick gets back-to-back titles, Catching up with NASCAR all-time great Ricky Rudd, NASCAR ISM Xfinity race results: Justin Allgaier clinches Championship 4 spot with win, Christopher Bell focused on closing NASCAR Xfinity tenure with a championship, NASCAR Texas Xfinity race results: Christopher Bell makes statement with dominant win. North Wilkesboro Speedway opened its gates on May 18th in 1947 firstly as a dirt track.

You either worked at a hosiery mill, a furniture factory, or you made whiskey”. Autoweek may earn money from the links on this page. Scott Cooper represents Smith at Charlotte Motor Speedway and says there is nothing new to report about the track. “It was a shame because it was really the perfect racetrack,” Martin said.

But then came Alton McBride Jr., a second-generation short-track racer and entrepreneur. It reopened in 2010 and hosted a few races before the doors were shut again in 2011.

One of the last held races – Author: Mike Kalasnik – CC by 2.0. The end of his life, hopefully many years from now, may also mean the end of North Wilkesboro. The track still stands today and hosts lower level series races. Remembering North Wilkesboro Speedway 20 years after its last NASCAR Cup race. This famous track played host to NASCAR's top series from 1958-1988. The 0.625-mile track is located in North Carolina and collected fans worldwide. Last Car Available Here With 4-Speed Manual Trans? Chris Eggleston, now the reigning NASCAR K&N West champion, won that event, defeating Bubba Pollard in the closing laps. Now closed, North Wilkesboro was called, 'the perfect racetrack' By Matt Weaver.
The mayor himself served as the track electrician, telling reporters, “That’s how badly I wanted it.”.

For the briefest of moments, the mind will trick you into believing that stock-car racing is alive and well at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina. For more NASCAR information, insight and Fantasy NASCAR advice visit us at www.FantasySportsKings.com and follow us on twitter @Fantasy_Kings.

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