One of the tracks that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series could schedule for Friday June 18 - North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. (Photo courtesy of SaveTheSpeedway.net)

For years the only real change at the track was its conversion from dirt to asphalt. The wooden fences, concrete seats, dirt-floor restrooms and grassy hills that served as parking areas remained constant.

The track didn’t have to spend much on publicity and marketing because it wasn’t needed. Folks knew when the races would be held. They would go to church, then head for the speedway, where they could walk up and buy a ticket.

They would show up with their lunches – fried chicken was a favorite, judging by the mounds of bones left in the grandstands after a
race – and they were fiercely loyal to their favorite drivers and cars.

Sometimes loyalties would clash and a few “good ol’ boys” would get into a scrap.

Richard Petty recalled seeing one fight break out during a race, just past the start/finish line.

Two guys got another on the ground, Petty recalled, and the one fan shoved the other fan’s body under the chicken-wire fence. His head dangled over the track.

As Petty roared down the front straightaway, the guy’s head was pulled back at the last moment. This went on for several laps.

Johnson remembered the time a couple of fans got into a tussle on the dirt floor in the infield men’s room.

They rolled around in the dirt. You can imagine the odor.

A deputy arrested them and put them in the back seat of his squad car. For obvious reasons, he drove away with the windows rolled down.

Despite its tradition, North Wilkesboro began to lose touch with the times. As NASCAR’s popularity soared, speedways began to add seats and amenities in an effort to keep up with the demand. Some of them had complete makeovers.

North Wilkesboro tried to keep up by building towering new grandstands and handsome VIP suites. But in the end, it was an outdated,
small track in a small market.

As far as NASCAR is concerned, it still is.

But we now know racing at North Wilkesboro will return.

That will restore some welcome life to the old place.

Photos courtesy of SaveTheSpeedway.net A website dedicated to the preservation of the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina.

SceneDaily.com • Even with wreck Jimmie Johnson still solidly in Chase For The Sprint Cup lead