Great writing Jeremy….I’m a Wilkes native, born and raised….moved away for college and with work for a short time, but never really “gone.” Now back home here for the last 15 years or so to stay. Still remember my childhood and the echo through the hills of the engines roaring on Sundays…Holly Farms and Northwestern Bank 400 races…thanks for capturing the excitement most everyone here is feeling. Hope it can last and build into something permanent.
Great article Jeremy. That experience of actually feeling the speed of the cars is so accurate and unique to live racing. I grew up in North Wilkesboro and attended a few races there in the early 80’s. I pulled for Dale Earnhardt in the Wrangler car. I was also at the final NASCAR race there. I’m glad to see this happening and hope it continues.
We are beginning to realize that our local communities are what sustain us when all the other really big institutions get confused about what they are about. This is a very positive step in the right direction. Thank you everyone who made it happen.
This whole story makes me proud to be from North Carolina. I drove past the track on Tuesday August 30 headed to Winston Salem and on to Pinehurst. As I passed, I was proud of Dale Jr and the people of North Carolina who saw fit to bring this place back. Great things ahead for North Wilkesboro! Onward-DK803
Amen! I was in the traffic and as a new Wilkes County resident (a transplant from Ormond Beach, Florida where we have some fabulous racing as well), I am VERY appreciative of Dale’s and Terri Parsons’ efforts to facilitate the North Wilkesboro Speedway REVIVAL!
And thanks to Linda Cheek and the Wilkes Chamber along with all involved in “We Want You Back” campaign.
I enjoyed the races and even drove the track (charity event running behind pace car) so I guess you can say I’m almost up to speed.
Growing up in North Wilkesboro, I always knew about the track. When we moved to Lynnewood on 115, we could sit on the deck or in the yard and hear the track and announcer clearly. I remember students in school were picked up early, so they could go to the time trials at the track. Nobody complained about this, as the races were an official Wilkes County Holiday.
The first and only, time I was at the track was around 1968 when I was 12-14 years old. While I don't remember the exact date, I remember the day very well. My Dad worked for Central (Centel) Telephone, and he was in charge of making the lines worked properly for ABC Broadcasting. He came by the house, handed me a tool belt. Being already 6'4” he said “Put this on, you're going to the track.”
Being known by everyone in Wilkes as “Trip” and me being as tall and skinny as he, we walked right into the gate. I followed him around for a bit, until he told me we need to step in here. It was the ABC TV trailer. It was a wild experience, sitting in there looking at all the monitors, and hearing/seeing the chatter as everything was getting setup for the broadcast. I believe it was one of the first televised NASCAR races, at least that's what almost everyone said, which caused a lot of excitement.
Later on, working Sunday afternoons at the local radio station, I ran the board broadcasting the races, including that one here 'in town.'
Fast-forward many years later, I met this man, and we realized we had met back around 1968. In the ABC TV trailer. His dad was a NASCAR radio announcer, and he traveled with him to many of the races. We had sat beside each other, talked about the race, and the cool opportunity to be in the ABC truck, where none of our buddies had been. He was a prison Chaplain, and I was a volunteer.
Some things you just cannot make up! I'm ready to be there again, to show my grandson what racing was REALLY like back in the days, of Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, the Yarborough's, the Allison's, Benny Parsons, Fireball Roberts, Wendell Scott, and so many more.
I wish I could have been there. One of my friends was at the race. I think he put it best when he said that the amount of support shown was a statement to NASCAR and the racing world.
Thank you for writing this up so well. I grew up going to qualifying in Wilkes with my dad. Legendary NASCAR radio announcer Barney Hall is my mom’s cousin. I don’t follow racing anymore, but you did a wonderful job explaining what it used to feel like in the foothills of N.C.
I was beyond delighted when I heard the news that the deserted track in my hometown of wilkesboro had once again came to life! it's a beautiful area. however, economically has been struggling since the '90s it would be great if they could continue hosting events. anything to bring revenue to what was once an amazing place with lots of history. I've lived in Charleston 20 years, however Wilkes will always be home. what a wonderfully well written article
Jeremy, I’m a race fan, not up to date on your writing, but I want to tell you, I read every word of that story. It gave me goosebumps, you totally got into the soul of Wilksboro, and you are to be commended. Thank you, I loved it all, can’t wait to read more of yours🏁🏁
Great writing Jeremy….I’m a Wilkes native, born and raised….moved away for college and with work for a short time, but never really “gone.” Now back home here for the last 15 years or so to stay. Still remember my childhood and the echo through the hills of the engines roaring on Sundays…Holly Farms and Northwestern Bank 400 races…thanks for capturing the excitement most everyone here is feeling. Hope it can last and build into something permanent.
Great article Jeremy. That experience of actually feeling the speed of the cars is so accurate and unique to live racing. I grew up in North Wilkesboro and attended a few races there in the early 80’s. I pulled for Dale Earnhardt in the Wrangler car. I was also at the final NASCAR race there. I’m glad to see this happening and hope it continues.
We are beginning to realize that our local communities are what sustain us when all the other really big institutions get confused about what they are about. This is a very positive step in the right direction. Thank you everyone who made it happen.
This whole story makes me proud to be from North Carolina. I drove past the track on Tuesday August 30 headed to Winston Salem and on to Pinehurst. As I passed, I was proud of Dale Jr and the people of North Carolina who saw fit to bring this place back. Great things ahead for North Wilkesboro! Onward-DK803
Awesomeness to the fullest!!! A man, a track and the love of racing and bringing history back to life!!!! You gotta love Dale Jr!!!!
Lucky enough to spend a weekend there this past August. A part of racing history that deserves to be revived. Great racing on a historic track.
Amen! I was in the traffic and as a new Wilkes County resident (a transplant from Ormond Beach, Florida where we have some fabulous racing as well), I am VERY appreciative of Dale’s and Terri Parsons’ efforts to facilitate the North Wilkesboro Speedway REVIVAL!
And thanks to Linda Cheek and the Wilkes Chamber along with all involved in “We Want You Back” campaign.
I enjoyed the races and even drove the track (charity event running behind pace car) so I guess you can say I’m almost up to speed.
Great story. I sure hope you're planning a book....
Brilliant...what a simply brilliant thing to have happened! Sorry I couldn't have been in that line of traffic with you, Jeremy.
Beautifully written about a culture and a place.
Growing up in North Wilkesboro, I always knew about the track. When we moved to Lynnewood on 115, we could sit on the deck or in the yard and hear the track and announcer clearly. I remember students in school were picked up early, so they could go to the time trials at the track. Nobody complained about this, as the races were an official Wilkes County Holiday.
The first and only, time I was at the track was around 1968 when I was 12-14 years old. While I don't remember the exact date, I remember the day very well. My Dad worked for Central (Centel) Telephone, and he was in charge of making the lines worked properly for ABC Broadcasting. He came by the house, handed me a tool belt. Being already 6'4” he said “Put this on, you're going to the track.”
Being known by everyone in Wilkes as “Trip” and me being as tall and skinny as he, we walked right into the gate. I followed him around for a bit, until he told me we need to step in here. It was the ABC TV trailer. It was a wild experience, sitting in there looking at all the monitors, and hearing/seeing the chatter as everything was getting setup for the broadcast. I believe it was one of the first televised NASCAR races, at least that's what almost everyone said, which caused a lot of excitement.
Later on, working Sunday afternoons at the local radio station, I ran the board broadcasting the races, including that one here 'in town.'
Fast-forward many years later, I met this man, and we realized we had met back around 1968. In the ABC TV trailer. His dad was a NASCAR radio announcer, and he traveled with him to many of the races. We had sat beside each other, talked about the race, and the cool opportunity to be in the ABC truck, where none of our buddies had been. He was a prison Chaplain, and I was a volunteer.
Some things you just cannot make up! I'm ready to be there again, to show my grandson what racing was REALLY like back in the days, of Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, the Yarborough's, the Allison's, Benny Parsons, Fireball Roberts, Wendell Scott, and so many more.
This means a lot for Wilkes County, and racing fans, I hope. Great job, Jeremy.
I wish I could have been there. One of my friends was at the race. I think he put it best when he said that the amount of support shown was a statement to NASCAR and the racing world.
Thank you for writing this up so well. I grew up going to qualifying in Wilkes with my dad. Legendary NASCAR radio announcer Barney Hall is my mom’s cousin. I don’t follow racing anymore, but you did a wonderful job explaining what it used to feel like in the foothills of N.C.
I was beyond delighted when I heard the news that the deserted track in my hometown of wilkesboro had once again came to life! it's a beautiful area. however, economically has been struggling since the '90s it would be great if they could continue hosting events. anything to bring revenue to what was once an amazing place with lots of history. I've lived in Charleston 20 years, however Wilkes will always be home. what a wonderfully well written article
Jeremy, I’m a race fan, not up to date on your writing, but I want to tell you, I read every word of that story. It gave me goosebumps, you totally got into the soul of Wilksboro, and you are to be commended. Thank you, I loved it all, can’t wait to read more of yours🏁🏁