NASCAR Heritage Tracks

Hi!This is Melissa- I'm the gal writing her master's thesis on NASCAR's heritage tracks. The idea that I am working towards it that these tracks are important places to local communities, to the history of NASCAR and to the history of America.My degree will be in Historic Preservation- and I am hoping that the importance of these tracks will translate into greater support for heritage tracks and eventually especially the local tracks that we are losing..Preservation doesn't mean putting the tracks into glass boxes and only letting people see them from a trolley. Preservation means that racing continues to happen right there at the same tracks that Fireball and local heroes both took the checkers.To keep things focused, I am looking at heritage tracks that are active, Martinsville, Darlington, and Rockingham (since I have great hope we'll return there) I know that this falls short of what tracks are out there, but resources and time are tricky things sometimes.So!I'll be working on this thesis thing all year. If you are interested I would love to hear stories about why these tracks are important places to you. What do these tracks mean? What did they mean to you growing up? Why are these tracks important places? Why is it important that we continue to race on these tracks?Feel free to send people my way who you think might be interested in this-and feel free to contact me!My site (finally started) and email are in my profile if you need more info.Thanks! I can't wait to see what you all share!
updated by @melissa-bleier: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM

I think you idea is fantastic, BUT there are a lot of tracks that are no longer in existence that NASCAr does not run ayt PLUS ones that are still alive that NASCAR balks at. NASCAR is not interested in the short tracks that built it up, it is now a corporate giant that is sponsored by 200mph billboards, there is a 60 year history of NASCAR and the present day fans most of them only know the last 10 years, BUt like i said your idea is fantastic but i think you should include some tracks that are no longer in existence would be a nice touch

oh yes! I know. I really do. If this was a book, the scope would be much much wider. I am using Occoneechee as a positive example for a track that was lost, but has been found, so to speak. And I will certainly be addressing local tracks, lost tracks and the difference between tracks that meant something and the tracks that are the cookie cutters of the COT era.I want to look at the few tracks that are still being used and present them as the best kind of example of what tracks they should be running..that no one wants another Auto Club Speedway (California)If you only knew how hard it is to keep myself on track (heh) and not write the biggest longest most best complete track history-thesis ever. But since it is for my degree- I sort of have to do it this one way.I hope, in the long run though to do some good with these ideas, maybe help change some things.....

If I can help Melissa, I would be more than happy to give you any information that would help you, I wish i could have done a study blike this for school in my days, BUT we are talking over 35 years ago, but the best wishes for your success!!!!!!! Paul