Full Description
NASCAR held its first Strictly Stock race in Charlotte on June 19, 1949, and, in the following decades, dozens of large and small tracks throughout the Carolinas were home to a major NASCAR event. Called Grand National from 1950-1970, NASCAR's top circuit became the Winston Cup in 1971, and most of the dirt and small tracks were subsequently gutted from the schedule. Although a handful of those speedways tenuously held on through exploding popularity, and an influx of big corporate dollars, the transition to metropolitan markets and super speedways was inevitable. Some of the original tracks, like the North Wilkesboro Motor Speedway, still stand testament to the sport's not-too-distant past. Others, like the Charlotte Speedway, are long gone, leaving only memories and photographs.
This is the story of every racetrack in North and South Carolina that held at least one big-time race through 1971, but is no longer used for auto racing. Seven are one-race wonders, while others are as much racing legends as the sport's past champions. Chapters cover each track's big time history, from early background through its racing years to its current status. Included are the thrilling tales of the personalities and machines that shaped NASCAR's early days. Statistics chart every track's past winners, records, and wins by make. The 151 photographs give the reader a virtual tour of speedways that are often inaccessible or nonexistent.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
1. Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds, Spartanburg, South Carolina
2. Charlotte Speedway, Charlotte, North Carolina
3. Columbia Speedway, Columbia, South Carolina
4. Hartsville Speedway, Hartsville, South Carolina
5. Cleveland County Fairgrounds Speedway, Shelby, North Carolina
6. Harris Speedway, Harris, North Carolina
7. Occoneechee Speedway, Hillsborough, North Carolina
8. Newberry Speedway, Newberry, South Carolina
9. Salisbury Super Speedway, Salisbury, North Carolina
10. Starlite Speedway, Monroe, North Carolina
11. Harris Speedway, Concord, North Carolina
12. Spindle Center Fairgrounds Speedway, Gastonia, North Carolina
13. North Carolina State Fairgrounds Speedway, Raleigh, North Carolina
14. Raleigh Speedway, Raleigh, North Carolina
15. Wilson County Fairgrounds Speedway, Wilson, North Carolina
16. Dog Track Speedway, Moyock, North Carolina
17. Harnett County Speedway, Spring Lake, North Carolina
18. Forsyth County Fairgrounds, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
19. Coastal Speedway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
20. Jacksonville Speedway, Jacksonville, North Carolina
21. Champion Speedway, Fayetteville, North Carolina
22. Southern States Fairgrounds, Charlotte, North Carolina
23. Tar Heel Speedway, Randleman, North Carolina
24. Tri-City Speedway, High Point, North Carolina
25. McCormick Field, Asheville, North Carolina
26. Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, Asheville, North Carolina
27. New Asheville Speedway, Asheville, North Carolina
28. Greensboro Agricultural Fairgrounds Speedway, Greensboro, North Carolina
29. North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Sources
Index
