Deep in the heart of North Carolina, there stands a hidden jewel that once graced the Nascar schedule. 40,000 fans from all over would sell out both season races so they could catch a glimpse of their favorite driver contesting for a win.
The track was unique in the fact that the front stretch went downhill and the backstretch uphill. When it was not bringing excitement on the track, it was bringing support off of it. The track was the main economic lifeline for the county in which it was in.
Greats like Petty, Pearson, Waltrip, Earnhardt, and Gordon all saw victory lane, with Gordon being the last winner in 1996.
The jewel that I am talking about is the North Wilkesboro Speedway.
North Wilkesboro Speedway was tagged the "Racing Mecca for Northwestern North Carolina" after its first race was run in NASCAR in 1949. The track brought excitement, and as close racing flared, it survived years of change and growth but was finally taken off the schedule in 1997 after 50 years.
The track was bought by racing mogul Bruton Smith and former New Hampshire track owner Bob Bahre. Instead of taking the track and transforming it into another Colosseum like Bristol Motor Speedway, Smith and Bahre took the two race dates and ran.
Those dates eventually went to the newly built Texas Motor Speedway and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Now some 12 years later, North Wilkesboro Speedway has the look of a neglected toy that a child has forgotten about. The stands are rusted, the garages empty and the front stretch and backstretch are overtaken by weeds.
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Investment groups, track junkies, and even NASCAR legend Junior Johnson have all tried to bring racing back to this small town short track, but to no avail.
Smith became full owner in 2007 and had accepted one offer from a land developing company. Before the deal was finalized, the bid fell through.
So why does Bruton not want racing back at North Wilkesboro? Smith claims the small market in Wilkes County is terrible and could never attract the sponsors that it would need.
Give me a break. Multiple racing series, driving schools, even NASCAR teams have expressed interest in using the facility if it were ever restored. In 2006, Jack Roush used the track to test candidates contesting for his open truck series ride.
Here is something to ponder: 3,000 miles away, California Speedway (Auto Club Speedway to be socially correct) can't seem to keep its attendance numbers up. The track is a cookie cutter version of Michigan Speedway, and the fan base is non-existent.
The crazy thing is that the track is only 30 or so miles away from LA! Don't just take it from me. Last year Jeff Gordon told reporters after the Auto Club 500 that the competition felt more like a "Sunday Drive" than an actual race.
You know something is wrong with a track when a four-time champion feels like he is driving Miss Daisy to church instead of racing.
Imagine what would happen if NASCAR went back to its roots. You would have another short track on the schedule (everyone loves short tracks), and you could watch the track evolve with the addition of more seating and lights.
Now I know the general feeling about this is "It is easier said than done." But with as many millionaires and popular sports and media figures that this sport brings in as fans, someone could almost certainly step in and help North Wilkesboro
Take a look at the Darlington Speedway. Darlington was on the verge of being taken off of the schedule back in 2006 because of its age and behind-the-times facilities. But after $10 million in renovations and improvements to the track, it is back to being one of the most popular stops on the circuit. Drivers love it, fans love it, and NASCAR loves it.
With the revenue NASCAR is bringing in, they can afford to make some changes. Yes, the sport lives off of sponsors, but people need to realize it is not always about the money, it is about the racing and about the fans.
Close finishes, pissed off drivers, and wall-to-wall action was what made North Wilkesboro Speedway a popular track. Maybe sometime soon, those in NASCAR will take a risk, and bring the sport back to one of its forgotten loves.
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2 months ago
Good piece about a NASCAR legend... But unrealistic hopes. The track is too far gone, and how would the infrastructure in the area support a crowd of 80,000 minimum? If they can't get the weeds knocked down and just get the Hooters Pro Cup or Camping World East guys in there... Even local racing... Bigger stuff just isn't going to happen.
NASCAR would be better served to move the California race either back to Darlington, or to another smaller track like Iowa Speedway, Gateway (St. Louis), or Memphis Motorsports Park. Darlington has maintained racing the whole time, and thus the 10 million was for good use in building a new tunnel and resurfacing the track.
There are a number of things NASCAR could look at for going back to its roots... "Stock" cars being the biggest I believe (while incorporating all the safety features of the new car). But another race in the Carolinas is not the answer. This is a national sport now, and someone living in that area is less than 4 hours from... what? 9 cup races (2 each at Bristol, Charlotte, Richmond, and Martinsville, 1 at Darlington) and is only 300 miles from Atlanta.
Rockingham, NC is a much better candidate to see NASCAR's upper tier series to return (though Cup would be very unlikely). The ARCA series showed that The Rock still provides some great racing. It is hampered by similar infrastructure issues that North Wilkesboro is, but the track and facility is in serviceable condition.
2 months ago
Nice article. Being from Rockingham, I actually do understand Smith's capacity for buying a track for the dates and running.
2 months ago
Bring it back ! Start a new Stock Car series and bring it back !
NASCAR is gonna split sooner or later so be prepared. There is no reason it can't be saved. Andy saved The Rock didn't he ?
I remember Daddy taking us to North Wilkesboro races and sitting at the gas station watching the racer's rigs pulling out after the race, not haulers, just trailers and trucks. You could wave to the drivers in the cab and they'd wave back and Junior was always hanging out at some place on the highway (kinda highway) talking tires and stuff.
I miss it. I miss it bad.
2 months ago
Great job on this Brian. I still miss North Wilkesboro Speedway and to bad it's basically been left to rot by Bruton Smith. With a little TLC, could easily support local drivers, Hooters, Camping World East guys, Arca/Remax, and NASCAR could add a Craftsman Truck race.
I think if NASCAR, wanted to they could have continued to use North Wilkesboro Speedway. Even if it's not the Cup guys, they easily could have continued to use the track with their other divisions.
2 months ago
Good job on the article. One piece missing is the fact that Save The Speedway is still actively working with several historical groups and individuals involved in NASCAR on a working solution for opening the speedway. As to the nah sayers. The track is not too far gone, in fact Save The Speedway hired engineers and contractors as well as Wilkes County officials to survey the speedway. Remarkably we and the county found the speedway in pretty decent shape after all the years.
Also Save The Speedway just placed a historical marker down the road from the track back in May, Terri Parsons, Senator Steve Goss, 1960 NASCAR Champion Rex White, and former owners son Mike Staley helped to dedicate the marker.
from 2 months ago
Well sheeet ... let's get that bad boy cranked up again dammit. There are plenty of series to go 'round.
You win at North Wilkesboro you've won something.
from about 1 month ago
Toot...toot...toot. Is that the sound of Little Stevie tooting his horn in the land of make believe? I believe it is.
How exactly do kids hire engineers and contractors? With their milk money from mommy?
If it isn't soooo far gone then why hasn't anyone stepped up to the plate and dumped in a small amount of money to fix the place up with some new paint? I mean if it isn't so far gone only a couple thousand should take care of it right?
And by the way...the Land of Make Believe didn't place a marker...they petitioned the state and the state placed the marker.
2 months ago
North Wilkesboro was the best race track in racing. My father use to go to that track all the time!!
Bruton Smith cares about one thing---$$$$$
I can't stand people like that!! They don't care about the history of the sport, but what will bring the most money to the track!!
Nice article!! I miss North Wilkesboro!! If I ever get a lot of money one day, I'm gonna buy that track and ask ARCA to run there!! Maybe bring a truck race there too! That would be cool!
2 months ago
There was once a place back in the 40's that was on the verge of extinction. The place. INDY! I am with the movement that NASCAR should go back to its roots instead of building cookie cutter tracks. Those tracks are the same shape, designed by the same engineer, using the same blueprint from various others. i.e. Kansas, Chicagoland, etc..... These older tracks need to be looked at closer.
2 months ago
Good article!
2 months ago
Great article but NASCAR is fueled by money these days, not Sunoco. 40,000 fans is not enough to keep a place going unfortunately. Plus, there is the issue of Brian France not wanting any more dates in the SE. This is all about NASCAR management wanting to be something it isn't. NASCAR is not NYC -- it is not even places like Rockingham, Bristol, Darlington or California. NASCAR is its fan base and the base connection to the drivers and their cars and sponsors. You lose that, you lose NASCAR.
2 months ago
Thank you all for the comments,
I want to apologize for not including save the speedway. They are a big part in trying to get racing back at North Wilkesboro. It slipped my mind and again I am sorry. I would think that truck racing would suit North Wilkesboro the best. In my mind it is the most exciting of the 3 series every week during the Nascar season. Hopefully soon the North Wilkesboro Speedway will rise out of the ashes and once again be important
from about 1 month ago
Brian, thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a compelling article! My grandfather was Enoch Staley (the founder and co-owner of the track before his death in 1995) and the North Wilkesboro Speedway was my "playground" during my childhood! There was and is nothing more inoxicating than the rush of cars racing past you, the roar of the crowd, the sense of excitement that every race fan knows when the engines roar to life at the beginning of a NASCAR race. I was just at the track last fall and saw for the first time how it has deteriorated since the last race was held there. It broke my heart.
I echo your words and thoughts that maybe someday the speedway will rise again...it will always be important! It is so sad that we as a society don't pay the respect due to our "roots"...whatever and wherever they may be!
Thank you for not forgetting her!
Ashley M.
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