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Old NC Speedways

Ken Sharpe
@ken-sharpe
16 years ago
88 posts
Hello all, from Level Cross, NCI am looking to chat with anyone who may remember and/or have pictures of the old NC speedways that have faded off long into the shadows of history in this state. I am interested in learning more about the old tracks, in particular the old Greensboro Speedway, which is where the Greensboro Coliseum parking lot is located at now.The old High Point Speedway, that was off of Skeetclub and Johnson Streets in North High Point NC.I shudder to think that Rockingham and North Wilkesboro and appears soon to be Martinsville and Bristol and Darlington are fading off into non-existence as the others have over the years.If you would love to talk about the old tracks please email me at LevelCrossClassics@gmail.com.
updated by @ken-sharpe: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM
Jeff Gilder
@jeff-gilder
16 years ago
1,783 posts
Ken,Perry Allen Wood is a member of RacersReunion and authors a book called "Silent Speedways of the Carolinas. You've found the right place to talk about this subject. You should also check out member Jack Walkers site "Carolina Race Place" at http://www.raceplace.zoomshare.com .Also a member here is Ed Sanseverino of the Historic Speedway Group...and his site is www.historicspeedwaygroup.org . Hope this gives you a place to start.Jeff


--
Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®
paul woody
@paul-woody
16 years ago
6 posts
Hello Ken, Here in Asheville we had some great tracks. The current Mcormick field baseball stadium whre the Asheville Tourists play was a track for a couple of years in the fifties. Drivers such as Ralph Earnhardt and Banjo Mathews drove there,The old Asheville-Weaverville speedway was a high banked 1-2 mile paved track and was probably Bristol before Bristol was Bristol if you know what I mean. It os now where the North Buncombe high is. I think the last race was in.71.New Asheville speedway later known as Asheville motor speedway is the one nearest to my heart.It was a 1-3rd mile paved track home to many great drivers It was built in 61 and closed in 98 not because of lack of fans it averaged at least 4000 fans running on friday night and most times it was over 6000. It was closed because of underhand dealings of the Asheville city council and Biltmore estate. Do not give the Biltmore estate any of your money.
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
16 years ago
907 posts
Ken, you probably are aware of the book "When Racing was Racing" published by the High Point Museum staff, 2002, Barbara E. Taylor, executive director. It's focus is the Triad region of North Carolina (only).Published in conjunction with the exibition: When Racing was Racing: The early days of stock car racing in the Triad 1940-1959
Cameron
@cameron
16 years ago
1 posts
Rockingham, if I heard right, is still a racetrack for locals to race their cars at. I would LOVE for NASCAR to put it back on the schedule. I dont think they'll take brisztol off the map cause of the drama that goes on during that race.
Ken Sharpe
@ken-sharpe
16 years ago
88 posts
I agree, I would love to see Nascar return to Rockingham. This was the first place that I ever saw a Nascar race in person at.I understand that there is another division that is either started or going to start racing there soon.I hope that they never take another track off of the circut, especially the old tracks. I hope that Bristol never leaves the circut either, but I would not be at all surprized to hear this news soon.Pastor Ken Sharpe
Ken Sharpe
@ken-sharpe
16 years ago
88 posts
Yes, I am familiar with this book. It is an awesome culmination of the local history of the tracks of the area.I live very close to the old Tarheel Speedway in southern Guilford County of NC. I am real close friends (almost family) with the sons and widow of Bob (Handlebars) Walden of High Point, NC, He raced on these tracks as well as all the others in the 50's. I am looking for any old photos of his racecars.Pastor Ken Sharpe
Ken Sharpe
@ken-sharpe
16 years ago
88 posts
I appreciate the tip on Biltmore House.Pastor Ken Sharpe
Dianne Mitchum
@dianne-mitchum
16 years ago
2 posts
The Rock, Rockingham has been bought by Andy Hillenburg adn is being brought back to life www.rockinghamraceway.com I visited not long ago and enjoyed the old girl...am originally from NC but retired in SC and Rockingham and North Wilkesboro were my favorite tracks
T. L. Patterson
@t-l-patterson
16 years ago
6 posts
Hi KenThere are Four Racetracks that come to my mind , they are all dirt tracks that I've been to , Sanford Speedway in Sanford , Harnett County Speedway just outside of Spring Lake , Dunn Fairgrounds Speedway in Dunn and Fayetteville Speedway in Fayetteville alongside Hwy 301S in front of the Airport . There is one Asphalt Racetrack tha I can think of is Champion Speedway in Fayetteville further down Hwy 301S that I've heard stories of .
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
16 years ago
242 posts
Raleigh Speedway1 Mile Paved with 1/4 Mile Flat (Similar to Bowman Gray).It was originally to be a 3/4 mile track, but they decided a 1 mile track would draw larger crowds, so the stretched it to 1 mile. Same tight turns, just longer straights. Impossible to gear correctly.Many more in early 50s: Franklin, Henderson, McCormick Field, Dunn, Goldsboro Wilmington, Jacksonville, Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and more that I can't remember.
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
16 years ago
907 posts
T.L.Interestingly, Harnett County 'still' exist. Its footprint can be seen from aerial photo imagery (google maps). Harnett was in operation in the late '60's. Also, of interest, there are (supposedly) a few junked chassis/race cars(?), still on the site. Ghosts from back in the day. It a'int that far, and Harnett may require a personal expedition, this is just too tantalizing. LOL!
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
16 years ago
242 posts
Legion (Field/Stadium?)WilmingtonThis track had a sand base. We would practice and the road graders would level it, after the First Heat they would level it, after the Second Heat they would level it, after the Consolation they would level it. By the time a 30 lap feature was finished the holes in the turns were so deep your car would almost disappear. We would wear extra thick gloves and still our hands would still be bleeding after the feature. It would be Tuesday before they were healed.
Ken Sharpe
@ken-sharpe
16 years ago
88 posts
Jim,Did you run any of the tacks up near Greensboro, HP, W_S areas?Pastor Ken
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
16 years ago
242 posts
Bowman Gray as an amatuer . Early on 1950. Bill France Jr job was to sweep the track after the wrecks.only other Western NC Track was McCormick Field Ashville. Later when I drove Sportsman Raleigh 1/4 mile Flat, 1 Mile Banked Paved. Champion Fayetteville 1/3 Mile High Banked. Modified 1/2 Mile Tracks Wilson, Wilmington, Jacksonville.Limited Sportsman (under 300 cu inches) Coastal Myrtle Beach, Henderson, Dunn, and few more I can't Remember.My first race was at the Danville Fairgrounds .
Jack Walker
@jack-walker
16 years ago
162 posts

Hey Jim,From what I have been able to find Legion Stadium only had races for 2 or 3 years. The final year was 1954 which was under the Nascar banner. I'm sure you remember some of these guys from the final point standing. In 1955 Coastal Speedway in Myrtle Beach opened on the old Washington Park horse track, and most of the Wilmington drivers started coming to "The Beach".Jack
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter
16 years ago
242 posts
I drove #17 Mack Howard's first car in 1952 we were two poor guys who loved racing. He was under 21 and not old enough to drive.He was an excellent mechanic and later became Freddie Lorenzin's crew chief.I knew all 20.
paul woody
@paul-woody
16 years ago
6 posts
I lived in Wilson NC from 68-73 and tried to hit as many as I could. Tried to make Wilson county every Sat. night. I went to the state fairgrounds on Fri. night a few times.Kinston built a pretty nice track while I was there. LaGrange had a track that was pretty good. That was near Kinston. I saw my my first corvair with a 327 that was pretty neat.I went to Goldsboro one time. That track was in the middle of a cow pasture.James Jones the guy that was 12th in points ran Wilson county speedway while I was there.
Jacob Flynn
@jacob-flynn
16 years ago
13 posts
The one that comes to mind around my hometown is Old Asheville Speedway that was above Mcormick Field, then the one on Amboy Rd. in Ashville, but old Asheville speedway is now a football stadium for high schoolars. New Asheville is now a park, in recent news reports, there was some trouble at the park.
Tom Ramey
@tom-ramey
16 years ago
1 posts
Paul Woody and David Hawkins . Do you recall Hollywood Speedway in Fairveiw? and also the Fairgrounds Speedway where East Hendersonville high School sits now.
Ken Sharpe
@ken-sharpe
16 years ago
88 posts
Perry,I am sorry for the late reply, geesh this was a month ago. I have either had medical problems as with the Hillsborough event, and of late suffering from pains from an automobile accident. I am on the mend though, with the help from the Man upstairs.I did however get out making the Randleman NASCAR Day this past Saturday, and met with the Gilders and others in this great group. Check out the videos on this event.I saw Jeff's copy of the book, when he opened his briefcase. I did not get to look at it though, I was drooling......I would love to obtain an autographed, personalized copy of this book. I actually think that my wife is thinking about this as part of Christmas, as she has asked me several times about this book. I was very nice and showed her where it can be purchased at on this website.Perry, are you going to be at the banquet at Hillsborough in a few weeks?Pastor Ken
Thomas K. Craig
@thomas-k-craig
16 years ago
53 posts
Hello, what town is this track near? I want to look it up on my Google Earth application. Thanks.
Bobby Williamson
@bobby-williamson
16 years ago
907 posts
Thomas,To view Harnett County Speedway, begin in Spring Lake, NC (near Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg), travel north on NC 210, and 'take' a right on "Bethel Baptist Road" NC HWY # 2048. Take a subsequent right on "Buddy Barefoot Road" NC HWY #2049. The track, plainly visible on Google aerials, is to the south and west of Buddy Barefoot road. Good Luck!
Michael Sweet
@michael-sweet
15 years ago
2 posts
Hello,Was wondering if you had any information on Mickey Miller. He was a car builder for some NASCAR drivers in the early 70's.and raced at Asheville and others. Thanks for your help,Mike
Michael Sweet
@michael-sweet
15 years ago
2 posts
Hello,Was wondering if you had any information on Mickey Miller. He was a car builder for some NASCAR drivers in the early 70's.that raced at Asheville and others. Thanks for your help,Mike
paul woody
@paul-woody
15 years ago
6 posts
Michael, I remember going to New Asheville Speedway during the sixties and early seventies and remember Shug Thompson the track announcer talking about the Mickey miller special. I cannot remember who he was talking about driving it. Are You in Asheville?
Warren Carpenter
@warren-carpenter
15 years ago
8 posts
Does anyone remenber Rutherford County Speedway in Spindale, NC? My father-in-law raced there in the '60s. We would race there on Friday night and then Harris Speedway in Harris, NC on Sunday afternoon. Rutherford County Speedway no longer exists, but Harris Speedway is still open.Paul Gose Fan
Slim_Shady
@slim-shady
15 years ago
26 posts
Do you have any idea where the track was located in Spindale ?Also what size was the track ?
Warren Carpenter
@warren-carpenter
15 years ago
8 posts
Rutherford County Speedway was a 1/2 mile dirt track owned by the county. According to my friend Randy Gilbert (who is quite an historian) the track was done away with a few years ago and county buildings and/or a walking track was built on the site. Randy has lots of pictures made at the track and I have a few.Paul Gose Fan