.d3e22715.jpg)
North Carolina short tracks, from quarter-mile paved bullrings to half-mile dirt ovals with sweeping turns, host a variety of race cars and events from spring to fall. There’s one close to wherever you are, making it easy to fill a Friday or Saturday evening with racing excitement. You might even see one of NASCAR’s future stars.
1 Bowman Gray Stadium
.f71f37d9.jpg)
1 Bowman Gray Stadium
Winston-SalemSee on map
Bowman Gray Stadium is NASCAR's first and longest-running weekly track. The track is a flat, quarter-mile oval around a football field, and its tight confines encourage contact and stoke tempers among drivers. And the fans love it. That’s how the stadium earned its nickname: "The Madhouse." The first race here was held in 1949, and at one point, NASCAR’s top series raced at Bowman Gray. Today, the weekly program includes modifieds, sportsman, street stocks and stadium stocks. Pro tip: Gates open early most Saturdays, inviting you to go inside and use a cushion or blanket to save your seat.
2 Caraway Speedway
2 Caraway Speedway
SophiaSee on mapCaraway Speedway is a little tricky to find. But it’s worth your time to wind along the narrow country roads that lead to the half-mile track with tight corners. Its programs includes late model, stock and sportsman divisions. If you don’t want to sit in the modern grandstands – those in the first turn have seats with backs – you can tailgate behind the backstretch and turn three. Park anywhere in the grassy field, including against the track’s outside wall, where you’re right next to the action.
3 Tri-County Speedway
3 Tri-County Speedway
Granite FallsSee on mapThis family-friendly 4/10-mile asphalt track has received a face-lift in recent years under new ownership. Highlights include track pits that are assessable via a tunnel, about 100 trackside parking spots and great food at reasonable prices. CARS Tours, late models, street stocks and more are on the schedule March through October.
4 Carolina Speedway
4 Carolina Speedway
GastoniaSee on mapJust west of Charlotte, Carolina Speedway is a 4/10-mile dirt oval where several divisions, including late models, race on Fridays. The track hosts several traveling series each season. Austin and Ty Dillon, grandsons of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, raced late models here. It’s close to Gastonia Municipal Airport, which NASCAR team co-owner and former driver Tony Stewart has used, flying in on more than one occasion to drive his sprint car.
5 East Lincoln Speedway
5 East Lincoln Speedway
StanleySee on mapEast Lincoln Speedway is a tight-cornered third-mile dirt oval with various weekly divisions, including sprints and late models, on Saturday nights from March through September. The track doesn’t forget about its youngest fans, either. Treats and events, such as bicycle races complete with trophies, are offered weekly for children.
6 Fayetteville Motor Speedway
6 Fayetteville Motor Speedway
FayettevilleSee on mapLate models are the top division at Fayetteville Motor Speedway, a small half-mile dirt oval where Dale Earnhardt won several races. Saturday nights here are race nights. The regular racing program also includes open-wheel modifieds, super street and pure stocks.
7 Hickory Motor Speedway
7 Hickory Motor Speedway
NewtonSee on mapHickory Motor Speedway first opened in 1951, and future Hall of Famers Jack Ingram, Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett all became track champions here. It’s about a third-mile long, banked and hasn’t been repaved in a long time. That means you’ll see a lot of passing in the Saturday night races run March through November. Weekly divisions include late models, 4-cylinders, street stocks and super trucks.
8 Orange County Speedway
8 Orange County Speedway
RougemountSee on mapBig names in NASCAR have raced at Orange County Speedway, including Jimmy Johnson, Bobby Labonte and Jeff Burton. The paved track is 3/8-mile long and high banked. Races for late models, sportsman, pure stocks and modifieds are held select Saturday nights from April through October.
9 Rockingham Dragway
9 Rockingham Dragway
RockinghamSee on mapIf you get tired of watching oval-track racing, head to Rockingham Dragway. It’s a quarter-mile drag strip that hosts weekly events March through mid-December. Show variations include International Hot Rod Association nitro-methane burning funny cars, National Hot Rod Diesel Association truck and tractor pulls, motorcycles and even International Model Drag Racing events, where remote-control cars are raced.
.4a96046c.jpg)
