Silent Speedways of the Carolinas
I'm, spending this week up in the northwest. This moring I'm on Vancouver Island in the beautiful city of Victoria....but that's not what I'm here to write about. It is a rare occaission when I take the time to read anything (except what is presented here on this website), but I received a copy of Perry Allen Wood's book "Silent Speedways of the Carolinas" and I can't put it down. I just finished the first two chapters, Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds and Charlotte Speedway, and have started the third, Columbia Speedway. Reading the acounts and details of the races that took place at these old speedways has brought back some awesome memories and taught me things that I didn't know about racing history. I recommend that anyone interested in the history of the great sport we celebrate, should get this book and read it. We will make arrangements with Perry to put up a link on our site, but in the mean time go to his page and tell him you want a copy! You'll be glad you did.
Jeff, for some time, I had been "looking", unsuccessfully, for Jacksonville speedway, and Harnett Co. Speedway. Perry's book and directions are dead-on; I went right too them via internet aerials. Sure helps to have the right directions.
I drove The Jacksonville (NC) Speedway 1 time. The thing I remember,this is where I met Ralph Earnhardt for the first time. We both (and many others) had junkers. I think Possum Jones won.
Jim, what year did you race at Jacksonville? I was not aware of the track until 1964 (I was 10 years old) it was advertised on Wilmington (NC) WECT-TV as the "International Speedway". I recall TV ads for the Grand National race that Perry describes in "Silent Speedways". I was not able to attend that race, but my best friend did, and told of David Pearson racing a gray-primered #6 Cotton Owens Dodge. I also remember modifieds (flat) towing back (from Jacksonville) through my hometown (Shallotte, NC) on US hwy 17 about the same time period, fall 1964. I don't remember much about the track afterwards.
I am drooling for a copy of this book. I have put this on my Christmas list, with my wife.Pastor Ken