Fairgrounds in preparation for racing return
Tuesday, Apr 17 2012, 10:47 am
The Shelby Star
Graham Cawthon
Brittany Randolph/The Star Jonathan Sarratt waits for the track to be wet down before taking a car out at the Historic Cleveland County Fairgrounds Speedway on Friday.
SHELBY With racing returning to the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in a matter of days, Michael Smith is going far and wide to spread word.
The speedway director at the fairgrounds has made recent trips to Columbia, S.C. and Rockingham, each time spreading news of the upcoming weekly events coming to Cleveland County. And hes spoken with drivers from as far out as Atlanta and Myrtle Beach, S.C. about participating.
After an absence of several decades, racing is coming back to the fairgrounds starting Saturday. And a big turnout is expected. County Manager Calvin Hastings previously told The Star hes expecting fans into the thousands to show up.
Were going to have a huge turnout, Smith said last week, putting the final touches on preparations. Nearby, a color guard practiced their presentation for the coming weekends race.
Words getting out everywhere, Smith said. They want to know whats happening.
Reach Online Editor Graham Cawthon at 704-669-3334, gcawthon@shelbystar.com or on Twitter at @GrahamCawthon
About the races
When: The first is Saturday, 1 p.m. Races will continue each Friday night into the fall, from 8 to 11 p.m. The weekly races will also include meet-and-greets with racing legends, food vendors, clowns and a weekly bicycle giveaway. A different charity will also be recognized each week.
Where: Cleveland County Fairgrounds
Price: $10 ages 6 and older; children 5 and under are free; box seats $15 for all ages
For more information, call 704-487-0651.
About the Cleveland County Fairgrounds track
Number of NASCAR Cup races: six
Track shape: oval
Track type: short track
First race: July 27, 1956
Last race: Aug. 5, 1965
Qualifying record: David Pearson, 67.797 mph on Aug. 5, 1965
Race Record: Ned Jarrett, 64.748 mph on Aug. 5, 1965
*Source: Calvin Hastings, Cleveland County Fair manager
Sponsorship opportunities
Want to become a sponsor of the Cleveland County Fairgrounds Speedway Good Old Days Series? Contact Carol Smith at 704-418-5518 and casmith9671@yahoo.com or Kim Davis at 704-600-6599 and Kim@KDMarketingNC.com.
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updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM