Thanks to the grit of its drivers and the thrill of its events, the sport started by moonshiners shifts into high gear. Born on the dirt tracks of the North Carolina Piedmont, stock car racing becomes a national pastime.
nascar
Charlotte Motor Speedway Switches Gears During the Holidays
Charlotte Motor Speedway turns into the slow lane at Christmastime, when even NASCAR drivers downshift to take in the sights.
The Enduring Legacy of No. 3
Kannapolis native Dale Earnhardt turned his racing talent into the stuff of legend.
Best-Kept Secrets in the Triangle: Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail
Take a walk through Hillsborough history on one of NASCAR’s original dirt racetracks, where racing legends including Richard Petty and Junior Johnson competed in front of thousands.
Fastest Monkey in the World
The biggest, tallest, truest tale in NASCAR history happened in 1953 on a half-mile dirt track in Hickory. A monkey named Jocko Flocko beat 26 other drivers to take home the checkered flag.
The King: Richard Petty
North Carolina made racing. Richard Petty made it cool. And even now, at 77 years old, there’s no slowing The King.
Rockingham
Richmond County’s seat has a long history of perseverance, generosity, and teamwork. Now it has NASCAR back, and new hope.
History in a Mason Jar
Today, long after Junior Johnson famously learned to drive hauling outlaw liquor, distillers are again providing the fiery flavor of the backwoods — all with the state’s blessing.
Southern Historian at Heart
Professor and author Dan Pierce honors his own roots as he explores Southern history for his books and his classes at The University of North Carolina at Asheville.
