Silent Speedways of the Carolinas: The Grand National Histories of 29 Former Tracks
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.

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Silent Speedways of the Carolinas: The Grand National Histories of 29 Former Tracks
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.

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Silent Speedways of the Carolinas: The Grand National Histories of 29 Former Tracks

Silent Speedways of the Carolinas: The Grand National Histories of 29 Former Tracks

by Perry Allen Wood
Silent Speedways of the Carolinas: The Grand National Histories of 29 Former Tracks
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Silent Speedways of the Carolinas: The Grand National Histories of 29 Former Tracks

Silent Speedways of the Carolinas: The Grand National Histories of 29 Former Tracks

by Perry Allen Wood

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786428175
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date: 01/23/2007
Pages: 308
Product dimensions: 7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.62(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Perry Allen Wood is an investigator for Wells Fargo Bank and a noted racing historian. He has written three other McFarland books on stock car racing, appears weekly on Droppin’ the Hammer and lives in Spartanburg.

Table of 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     
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