Forum Activity for @bobby-williamson

Bobby Myers '37 Ford?

Stock Car Racing History

Randy, thank you for that 'rest of the story'. It seemed too good to be true, and if it's a replica, it is a good one. To be honest the price, although in the upper limits of vintage racers, still seemed low. Thanks again.

Randy Myers said:

I know the car well. In fact I have actually driven the car when we had it on display for a legends night at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, NC back in 92 or 93. Richard Childress loanedme the car and another one painted to resemble one of daddy's 37'sfor the legends nights a couple of times. I just spoke with Chocolate as well to comfirm my thoughts. The car was built by Rod Long. He showed it to Choc as a "hulk" and one thing led to another and here it is.Rod's brother was the high sheriff and they used "prison labor" to restore the cars. It is a pretty good replica. Rod even told Choc that maybe Bobby even drove the car somewhere, wink!, wink! Chances are about 95% Bobby never drove it though. I called the guy who has it listed and told him the story. Might save someone some embarassment somewhere down the line.

Bobby Myers '37 Ford?

Stock Car Racing History

According to the ad, it's an original Bobby Myers race car:

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2204931348.html

updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Running Down A Ghost: Lakeview Speedway-Lexington, NC

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Great work, everyone! Back in the day, racetracks were considered 'investments' and could readily attract investors. Viewed as a for-profit enterprise; the landscape has changed.

Running Down A Ghost: Lakeview Speedway-Lexington, NC

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Good job, David. Thanks!

Running Down A Ghost: Lakeview Speedway-Lexington, NC

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks



Robert Mitchell said:

The location I posted about is on the south side of I-85 going west right before it intersects with hwy 52,the south side ofOld Linwood Road, right before you get to Hargrave Road. The spot is right behind New Testament Baptist Church.There is a small pond to the left of what looks to be the north turns from the 1993 satilite photo.

Robert, Billy Biscoe remembers the old track being on the south side of I-85. He also said it was near some point of High Rock Lake. There may be some indication of this site on topo maps...msr.maps.com. I really appreciate your help on this, and other historic tracks. Lakeview was another 'original class' of NASCAR ...making it special.

Running Down A Ghost: Lakeview Speedway-Lexington, NC

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

After its 1947 inception in the Streamline Hotel's  Ebony room , the new sanctioning body, NASCAR, was off and running that summer of 1948. Hopped-up, pre-war, flathead powered Ford coupes called "modifieds" were the flagship and the red-clay communities of North Carolina's piedmont became ground zero. "Promoters" jumped on the band-wagon and clamored for race dates with converted cow pastures, 1/2 mile fairground horse tracks, and even purpose-built facilities serving as tracks. The action was fast and furious, profits and losses could be huge, it was barn-storming and wild-catting on a grand scale. Tracks would spring to life, attract incredible crowds, only to be extinct within a year. Case in point:

Lakeview Speedway...Lexington, North Carolina.

* www.billboard.com/may1948

During the early days of NASCAR's inaugural season of 1948, the 5/8 mile dirt Lakeview Speedway attracted TEN THOUSAND paying fans to a 4,000 seat facility to watch a 30 lap race. Before the season had concluded, NASCAR and Bill "Franks" would return to Lexington in June, August, and a double header in September. Winners were Bob Flock, Curtis Turner, Fonty Flock, and Gober Sosebee, respectively.

* www.howstuffworks.com/nascar 1948 modified results

In spite of it's incredible success, the Lakeview Speedway on survived for a couple seasons, and joined the ranks of the Carolina Ghost Track society. Nevertheless, the Lakeview Speedway played host to NASCAR's inaugural season and, consequently, shares a unique past with other notable North Carolina venues such as North Wilkesboro, Occoneechee, and Wadesboro. Lakeview is important, and needs to be documented. I may have found the original footprint, and would appreciate verification or additional information regarding the old track's location. This particular spot is just off "old" hwy 29 between Lexington and Salisbury and very near the intersection of 29 and Belmont Road in the Linwood community.

updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/19/16 08:45:48AM

Historic speedways.

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Randy, Fantastic job! You are SO right, at some point along the way, the political tide turned against racing in general, and local short tracks in particular. However, politicians crave votes, and are generally quick to jump on the side of any vote-garnering agenda. We must get their attention. America's short-track nation can have political muscle. Without getting on a soap box, here, anything in America is possible...there's countless big-time examples...depending on the price that will be paid. Saving a historic speedway is a very real and worthy cause. Again, very well done!

Runnin' Down a Ghost: Wadesboro Speedway

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks



Dennis Andrews said:

Bobby,

I asked my dad if he ran at the Wadesboro Speedway and he said that he did a few times in the late 50's. This was before late model cars were run in this part of the state, outlaw (non Nascar) modified and sportsman cars. He said that John McNeil promoted some races there. John was the promoter that was running the old Rockingham Speedway at the time. John's son Larry is a member of Racers Reunion and may be able to give you some more history on the track. It sounds like it would have been Wadesboro II from the dates you have posted. Dad said the track did not survive into the late model days and I think they started running late models as the featured class in 1962 at Rockingham.

The shop that BB noted, Sheppards Auto Parts and Machine is no longer standing. Old man Sheppard (as I have heard him called) ran the machine shop and built a lot of motors that ran in that time and area. His son Roy ran the parts store.

We can't think of anyone else except maybe Edsel Kiker that may know more history on the track. Edsel was from Peachland which is closer to Wadesboro than Rockingham. As far as I know he is still living, maybe he is in the phone book. Finding him should not be hard for you as I am constantly amazed at the amount of information you are able to dig up about these old ghost tracks.

Anyway that's my 2 cents worth, keep up the good work.

Dennis Andrews

Dennis, Thanks for the info...and the compliment!

Bobby

Runnin' Down a Ghost: Wadesboro Speedway

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Although hosting a couple of NASCAR events, the'original' Wadesboro Speedwaydid not survive. After its demise, various local principles considered re-opening the facility, but ultimately chose to build a new speedway closer to town. The second area speedway was also known as 'Wadesboro Speedway' but was never NASCAR sanctioned and ran modified and sportsman cars through the early to mid 1950's. Wadesboro Speedway II was ultimately converted to a housing development, and the former backstretch "Trexler" Drive shares the name of the original property owner and speedway-developer.

'

Runnin' Down a Ghost: Wadesboro Speedway

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Bobby Williamson said: What began as the "Anson Sportsman's Club" became the Wadesboro Speedway was located several miles south of town of NC hwy 742. Today, the site is completely consumed by the "Race Track (turkey) Farms"

This was the site of two NASCAR modified races in 1948.