The song and video Carolina Moonshine, written and performed by Matt Dylan, debuted last week.

The song will be featured on the soundtrack of the the movie, Red Dirt Rising, as well as on Dylans self-titled CD. Like the movie, Carolina Moonshine highlights the history behind stockcar racing, dating back to the days of running moonshine.

The music is being used to help promote the movie to a broader audience. Dylan wrote this song and presented it to Red Dirt Rising, said Gary Lewallen, executive producer of the movie. They added it to the soundtrack and worked with Dylan to make the music video.

James Suttles, Red Dirt Rising producer and director, filmed the video in December on the English farm in Archdale, on racer Junior Johnsons farm and at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Several local folks, including Lewallen were drafted as actors.

They needed window dressing and I told them I was available, Lewallen laughs. He was helping out behind the scenes when Suttles told him to go sit on a log. He plays cards in a scene with Dylan.

I enjoyed it, said Lewallen. Thats the first time Ive ever been in one of them deals. He appears again in a twist at the end of the video.

Retired highway patrolman Robert Harper, wearing an authentic period uniform and driving a 1947 Buick patrol car, sneaks up to the still. Lewallen is one of the moonshiners who runs away. The former chief of police says, Im usually doing the chasing!

Fans can watch the video online at

. The movie soundtrack is scheduled for release in a few months and Dylans CD is available now on his Web site.

The song made its radio debut Jan. 26 on Greensboros country station, 93.1 The Wolf.

Historic North Wilkesboro Speedway partnered with Red Dirt Rising to release Carolina Moonshine. Built in 1947 as one of NASCARs original dirt tracks, North Wilkesboro Speedway crowned the very first NASCAR champion in 1949, with more than 50 years of racing until its closure in 1996. In 2009, the Speedway reawakened with a 3-year lease and runs ASA, PASS and USAR series races.

As part of the partnership, Red Dirt Rising filmed scenes at Historic North Wilkesboro Speedway and NASCAR legend Junior Johnson appeared in his first ever music video.

Racing legend Bill Blair also made a cameo appearance.

Red Dirt Rising producers plan a special showing of the movie at the historic speedway later this year. This is a great honor for us and a historical event for all of us here at Historic North Wilkesboro Speedway to be given the opportunity to (show) Red Dirt Rising, said Alton McBride of Speedway Associates.

Winter weather postponed the Matt Dylan CD release party, originally scheduled for last weekend, to Saturday, Feb. 20, at Johnny and Junes in Winston-Salem.

The movie will be released to theaters when a distributor picks it up.

The song: www.mattdylanonline.com ;

The movie: www.reddirtrising.com

The raceway: historicnws.com and

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