NASCAR Racing
History Of Carolina NASCAR Racing
Charlotte's connection with fast cars goes back to
the early 20th century. In the early 20s, the Charlotte
Speedway was just a plywood surfaced half-mile oval
track, and was host to open wheel racing. Thousands
of fans would show up for the races.
On June 19, 1949 Charlotte North Carolina played host
to the first true NASCAR race in the Strictly Stock
division(NEXTEL Cup). On that day, a group of
33 ready drivers with names like Baker, Flock and Petty
gathered with what ever "stock" family sedans
were available for a 200-lap, 150-mile race. Drivers
had to use stock cars to race in NASCAR. The Charlotte
region literally has become racing's home.
Currently, 82 percent of NEXTEL cup teams, 72 percent
of Busch teams and 55 percent of Craftsman Truck teams
are based in The Carolinas. Today, Charlotte area NASCAR
races such as the Coca-Cola 600 and the NASCAR Nextel
All-star Challenge are held at Bowes Motor Speedway,
formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The Carolinas also play active roles in promoting the
future of NASCAR. Charlotte is home to the motorsport's
research and development center, headquarters of the
rules officials, accident investigators, corporate officers
and directors of the Craftsman Truck, Busch and Nextel
Cup Series.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is not just another tourist
attraction, but a well planned attraction for NASCAR
fans looking for the history of NASCAR in the Carolinas.
Located in Charlotte, this home of NASCAR is a sight
to see.
Below is information on the NASCAR races in North
Carolina and South Carolina.
Dodge Charger 500 - Darlington South Carolina
-- It is still remembered as the original superspeedway
and as one of the pillars of the NASCAR establishment.
There is no other sporting facility in the world more
steeped in history and tradition than Darlington Raceway,
which has aged gracefully over the years but retained
its feisty charm.
Still, nobody loves the feisty track more than the
drivers. "You never forget your first love,"
said seven-time Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt, "whether
it's a high school sweetheart, a faithful old hunting
dog, or a fickle racetrack in South Carolina with a
contrary disposition. "And, if you happen to be
a race car driver there's no victory so sweet, so memorable,
as whipping Darlington Raceway."
The track "Too Tough to Tame" continues to
keep pace with the booming NASCAR world, standing as
a monument to the drivers and loyal fans who sowed the
seeds of stock car racing fifty years ago.
NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge, Coca-Cola 600,
and the Bank of America 500 - Lowe's Motor
Speedway - has the distinction of being the first
sports facility in America to offer year-round condominiums
overlooking the speedway in 1984.
Eight years later, Smith and Wheeler added a $1.7 million
permanent reflective lighting system, making Lowe's
the first modern superspeedway to host night racing.
The revolutionary lighting process uses mirrors to simulate
daylight without glare, shadows or obtrusive light poles.
Three NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events, two NASCAR Busch
Series races and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event
are among the major events held on the 1.5-mile superspeedway.
The Richard Petty Driving Experience and the Fast Track
High Performance Driving School and the also use the
track extensively throughout the year.
|
