Family Link to NASCAR's 1st 1949 Strictly Stock/GN/Cup Race Passes

This obituary in today's Charlotte paper caught my eye. I did not know Mr. Allison, but note that his family built the Charlotte track that hosted the inaugural NASCAR Strictly Stock, now Cup, race in 1949. R.I. P.

David Scott Allison
'The Bear'

Mr. Allison, 75, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Allison successfully owned and operated an RV dealership 'David Allison Camping Center' in Charlotte and several other businesses in the area. Mr. Allison was an avid antique car enthusiast and was extremely proud of his family's NASCAR heritage. They opened the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1948 on Little Rock Rd., and a year later, ran NASCAR's first Grand National race and the first NASCAR sanctioned race in the Carolinas.
Mr. Allison is predeceased by his parents, Carl C. and Catherine M. Allison; brother, Carl C. 'Buck' Allison, Jr.; nephew, Carl Scott Allison and great-nephew, Jonathan Blake Huntley.
He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and bride of fifty four years, Sara Mattox Allison; children, Amanda Jane Allison, Paige (Mark) Miller and Kelly (David) Purcell; grandchildren, Sara, Marcus, Morgan, Allison, Peyton, Zach, Keefe and Mac; many nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his grand dogs and his 'baby' Lou Lou.
The family would like to thank the staff at CMC Main, CMC Pineville and Hospice and Community Care of Rock Hill for their loving care.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at McEwen Pineville Chapel 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn West Cemetery 4601 Freedom Drive Charlotte, NC 28208. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice & Community Care, Rock Hill, or a charity of your choice. Online guest book and service info may be found at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com . Published in Charlotte Observer

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 04/20/17 06:25:03AM

Dave, thanks for sharing that. I never knew this and I'm guessing not many people did. My thoughts and prayers go to the Allison Family.


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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.

Dave, Interesting piece of history, thanks for for the post...I did catch the Little Rock Rd. address before it fell through the cracks in my computer ...I guess it is a little misleading without that fact being in there.

RIP Mr. Allison.

Charlotte Speedway - Then - Now

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/05/15/2298631/interactive-cha...

Outlawed:
Your pictures for the "Speedway" do not match. The "then" picture is actually the old wood track that my Great Grandfather helped build that sat where the Lance plant now sit's off South Blvd.

The "now" picture shows where the old Charlotte dirt track that Nascar ran their first "Grand National", now Sprint Cup, ran their first race in 1949. There was also another track that Nascar ran before 1960, it was at the Fairgrounds where Tryon Mall now sits.
05/15/2011 10:47 AM

FelixTheCat:
if I remember right, there was also a rack track in west charlotte near the airport somewhere, owned/built by Richard Petty, so I was told, and you're correct about one at the now Tryon Mall 05/15/2011 01:53 PM

Outlawed:
There was one on West Blvd. almost across from the runway for the airport. It was shut down because the the neighbors complained of the noise.......
But you are correct, it was owned by Petty Enterprises.
05/15/2011 07:59 PM

Thank you for recognizing my Daddy. He was a remarkable man. Thought you might enjoy these photos from the day the NC monument wad placed in honor of the track. My Daddy, David Allison, sold drinks and programs with Huppy Wheeler at that first race. Drivers slept in my grandparents front yard in their cars. My grandma, Catherine Allison, cooked large meals for them. My grandfather, Carl Allison, let my grandmas car run that first day because they were short on cars. She was not a happy lady I'm told about the arrangement. I could write a book about all the good memories my grandparents and father have from the track that sat on their property. My grandfather helped build the track and and my grandma ran concessions. I've met some really special people through this history, Tim Flock, and his sweet wife, before he passed came to the 50th anniversary celebration and told me so many funny stories. Till the day my Daddy passed away he was very proud of that heritage. As an adult he became a very successful RV dealer and man and owned a VIP booth looking over the Concord track. Some of my best memories growing up were of him picking up my entire class in a motor home off his dealership and taking us to the track for the time trials in May and Oct. It would be catered to suit 7th and 8th graders. Yes I was spoiled and I wouldn't change one thing about it. My Daddy had the biggest, giving heart of anyone I've ever known. What he did for his family in luxury he did for those in need. Thank you again for recognizing him. Sorry it took so long to come across it. As like when I was growing up I see there are those who will always try to bring someone down and rain on a parade. God bless you.Sincerely,Kelly Allison Purcell https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1182982367365.30007.1012406737&type=1&l=77273b2e7d

I meant to say the property, 2900 & 2910 Little Rock Rd. was never owned by Richard. It was owned by my Grandfather, Carl Ceburn Allison, and then my father, David Scott Allison.

Thanks very much for the post, Kelly. Any chance you might consider that book idea...?

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Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

Great to see your post here and learn more about your father.

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

Thanks for posting, Kelly. We would love to hear more about your Father and Grandfather, and the stories of theracetrack.

I found an aerial of what I think is the remains of the track in 1960 -