JUST ANOTHER HEARTBREAK FOR THE OLD TIMERS

I have just a little earlier learned that the efforts to save North Wilkesboro Speedway have failed. I received a call concerning a committment I had made to be there this weekend for the event scheduled and was told there would be no event. I went to the "Save The Speedway" site for North Wilkesboro and the notice is very eloquently set forth on that site that the efforts to save that wonderful facility are ended. It is no more.

Having attended two of the events there, and planning on being there this weekend is devastating news for this old timer. Just when I begin to believe in the magic of wishes and dreams coming true (i.e. Daytona and Darlington) through all we accomplish here at Racers Reunion, this is a tremendous blow to me. I cannot believe the empty feeling inside of me right now.

I hope and pray that the efforts made by this site and the loyal members who support it will continue in ways that make us all proud. To have North Wilkesboro come as far as it has and to end it now leaves me without further words.

Tim

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.


updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Me too. I have no words right now.

I recently purchased a program for this track from 1964....

My response is...don't give up yet. This is only one attempt and therefore leaves room for more hope until it is gone.


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Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

It is a shame that money became more important that the roots of Stock Car Racing. The racing was always good at Wilkesboro.

This is upsetting me too because I love the track. Drove up from Florida to see a race there in October. I actually remember the last race there like it was yesterday. That place has alot of character something many of the modern NASCAR tracks lack. Glad I got a chance to see a race there. Theres alot of factors that I think led to this. First off much of the track was in poor condition. It probably cost them more to fix the track and get it back in order to put on a race. The walls look like they are crumbling around the track. I actually have a piece of the wall from the start finish line which has paint from the old Winston red on it. The old press boxes and tower near the start finish line look in bad shape. The track looks like it needs alot of TLC and sure that caused a major drain in funds. What also hurt was there was not much promotion. Not many people were aware of the fact that the track re-opened and not enough showed. There was a push to get a NASCAR sanction and no go. Without a major sanctioning body that hurt them too. With the huge car count they had for the Late Models this year I would have thought they were breaking even. They tried running under the lights, but bad weather postphoned it and I guess that hurt them as well. Alot of improvements were made to get it back in racing order though and its a real shame because the surface of the track is still good. I don't think this is over yet. Never say never.

I'm just glad I got to see a Cup race there before they shut it down in 1996. My dad and I went to the October race in 1992. A caution free Geoff Bodine beat down. Not the most exciting race (especially for a 7 year old), but I am very glad we got to go at least once. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Rockingham.

It is too bad that the new North Wilkesboro is on the brink, sad.

UARS Stars - USAR ProCup combo Saturday afternoon at "The Rock". Here's your chance to make that trip.

They hope that I hit the big lottery because then they would have a partner at Wilkesboro.

Wish I could have gone to Rockingham, but I was just at Darlington and am now back in Gainesville, FL to finish up school. Glad Chase Elliott got it done, I'm excited to see him move up through NASCAR at some point.