■ 30 August 2010 | 5:20 PM
Racing is back at North Wilkesboro Speedway
This weekend marks the first time there will be racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway since the Cup series last ran there in 1996 when Jeff Gordon won there.
The track has been vacant nearly all the time since then, falling into disrepair. Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre each bought half of the race track. Bruton took the one Cup date with his share and moved it to Texas, giving that track it's first Cup race in 1997. Bahre took the one Cup date with his share and moved it to New Hampshire, giving his track there two Cup dates in 1997.
Since, North Wilkesboro has been a symbol of what NASCAR was and what it became. For many long-time fans the site of the track, just outside U.S. 421 was a sorrowful sight, recalling what it was like there at the home track for Junior Johnson. I've heard stories about chicken bones and moonshine and I'm sure that's nothing compared to the experiences of those who were there (I got on the beat after NASCAR quit running at North Wilkesboro).
Well, some locals have revitalized it and worked hard over the last few years and their reward is that racing is back, beginning this weekend with the Pro All Star Series, the Allison Legacy Series, Limited Late Models and street stocks. The USAR Pro Cup Series runs at the track Oct. 3.
For more on the track's comeback, read this fine story by Ryan McGee of ESPN.com.
For more on the track's events and other information, go here to the track's website.
For those who have been to North Wilkesboro, I'd be interested in hearing your stories of going to races there.
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A Connection
I can't help but see a connection between this story and main Auto Racing Headline "While Nascar Frets, Younger Demographic Clicks Away". I grew up in Wilkes County and remember the afternoons of getting checked out of school early on Fridays to watch practice or qualifying. We grew up loving racing, because it was part of Wilkes. It was in our blood. Then all of the sudden in 1996 our hear was ripped out of our chest, still beating. Instantly, Nascar went from a love to a symbol of how Wilkes County couldn't keep up with the changing times. Next, Lowe's corporate offices were moving away too. The community was changing, the people resented it, and Nascar became the target.
The flip side of that coin is that Nascar has indeed suffered from the choice to abandon their roots. Initially their was a boon for Nascar. New tracks were built The super speedways that replaced Rockingham and North Wilkesboro could seat thousands more but their was a flaw. These new tracks were all cookie cutters, the same basic design that provided drab racing. The new midwestern and west coast fans eventually faded away, finding old passions return as Baseball returned to life with the summer of
A visit to the track
In 1998 I stopped there on one of my little traveling vacations that I use to take.(I came in on the backroads.Heck,talk about the boondocks ! )
It was spooky. The gate was wide open & there was an older man doing lawnwork on the inside.They took paper & covered all the windows in pressboxes and suites.A sign outside quoted "NO BIKINI TOPS OR SHORT-SHORTS ARE ALLOWED TO BE WORN" If I remember correctly, the Winners Circle was located on top of a cinderblock building in the infield w/ a small lift to bring the car up.
I'm glad to hear they are bringing back to life