SILENT SPEEDWAYS OF THE CAROLINAS THE GRAND NATIONAL HISTORIES OF 29 FORMER TRACKS

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ii
Preface 1

1. Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds, Spartanburg, South Carolina 5
2. Charlotte Speedway, Charlotte, North Carolina 32
3. Columbia Speedway, Columbia, South Carolina 41
4. Hartsville Speedway, Hartsville, South Carolina 86
5. Cleveland County Fairgrounds Speedway, Shelby, North Carolina 90
6. Harris Speedway, Harris, North Carolina 96
7. Occoneechee Speedway, Hillsborough, North Carolina 100
8. Newberry Speedway, Newberry, South Carolina 125
9. Salisbury Super Speedway, Salisbury, North Carolina 131
10. Starlite Speedway, Monroe, North Carolina 134
11. Harris Speedway, Concord, North Carolina 137
12. Spindle Center Fairgrounds Speedway, Gastonia, North Carolina 144
13. North Carolina State Fairgrounds Speedway, Raleigh, North Carolina 149
14. Raleigh Speedway, Raleigh, North Carolina 153
15. Wilson County Fairgrounds Speedway, Wilson, North Carolina 159
16. Dog Track Speedway, Moyock, North Carolina 167
17. Harnett County Speedway, Spring Lake, North Carolina 172
18. Forsyth County Fairgrounds, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 176
19. Coastal Speedway, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 180
20. Jacksonville Speedway, Jacksonville, North Carolina 184
21. Champion Speedway, Fayetteville, North Carolina 190
22. Southern States Fairgrounds, Charlotte, North Carolina 194
23. Tar Heel Speedway, Randleman, North Carolina 203
24. Tri-City Speedway, High Point, North Carolina 210
25. McCormick Field, Asheville, North Carolina 213
26. Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, Asheville, North Carolina 218
27. New Asheville Speedway, Asheville, North Carolina 231
28. Greensboro Agricultural Fairgrounds Speedway, Greensboro, North Carolina 237
29. North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 240

Sources 283
Index 285

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.
About the Author
Perry Allen Wood is a senior investigator for Wachovia. He lives in Spartanburg, South Carolina.




Reviews


“Highly recommended”—Gaston Gazette

“A wealth of data...an educational experience...turning the pages...will unleash the smell of hot oil, the roar of old time V-8 engines, and the ghosts of racing past”—Our State

“These speedways were crucial outlets—and the Carolinas a vital market—for NASCAR during the sanctioning body’s ascent to the prominent cultural and economic spot it holds today. Fans of the sport will enjoy Wood’s book”—The North Carolina Historical Review


“highly recommended”—Gaston Gazette; “a wealth of data...an educational experience...turning the pages...will unleash the smell of hot oil, the roar of old time V-8 engines, and the ghosts of racing past”—Our State; “these speedways were crucial outlets—and the Carolinas a vital market—for NASCAR during the sanctioning body’s ascent to the prominent cultural and economic spot it holds today. Fans of the sport will enjoy Wood’s book”—The North Carolina Historical Review; “Wood brings a poetic flair and passion to his subject”—Ashe Mountain Times.