Week 4: Occoneechee Speedway

January 23, 2010

"Gentlemen start your engines!"

Never thought I would say that or ever have anything to do with NASCAR, but never say never. While in Hillsborough last week, I picked up a pamphlet on the Occoneechee Speedway. Today I decided to hike the track and surrounding trails. The Occoneechee Speedway was used during the inaugural season of NASCAR in 1949. It is the only track that is still in existence from that first season. The track was formerly the Occoneechee Farm named after its former occupants the Occaneechi Indians.

I started at turn 1 and walk along the track to see the grand stands. Cement benches lined the side of the hill. Not ideal sitting conditions for several hours of watching cars drive around in a circle. The center of the track is grown up with pine trees as is the perimeter. I continued along to turn 4. At this point I realized that I’m “driving” the wrong directions around the track. I have passed several walks/runners all going the opposite direction. Oh well! I finish walking the 1 mile track and head out the entrance to the Spectators Trail.

The Spectators Trail, as the name suggests, follows the path of the old race car enthusiast. The ticket booth is still there although it has a fresh coat of paint. Through the window of the ticket booth you can see some memorabilia from the racing days – posters, tires, an old Pepsi cooler. Along the path is also the old outhouse and what could have been a concession stand that is falling down.

The path continues down to the Eno River and follows it for a bit. I did a little off-trailing to take a advantage of some photo-opts and cut back to the track. I see what may be a path cutting through the center of the loop and take it. It turns out not to be a path, but I trudge through the brush and trees to finally emerge onto a "real" path. This one leads to an original billboard for the Hillsborough Savings and Loan Association making my brush trudging worth it. Along the way there are various pieces of history (or junk depending on your view). Total mileage for the day, about 4ish. It was a beautiful sunny day for a refreshing stroll along this historic landmark.

A little more history on the track: The first race was held on August 7, 1949; this was the 3rd race in NASCAR history. The winner was Bob Flock, to which I say “who?” Apparently he is in the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Really? 17,500 people watched this race. This seems like a large number of people just to watch 28 cars drive around the track, but then again this is the south. The final Grand National race was held on September 15, 1968. Richard Petty would win this race by 7 laps! His grand prize…$1600. Doesn’t seem like much compared to today winnings.