STARLITE SPEEDWAY - MONROE NC
What was later to become Starlit Speedway started as a Dirt Drag Strip, The Drag Racing commenced in 1960 under the direction of the owners Mr. and Mrs. Parks Williams. The Drag Racing events only lasted two years and it was all over by 1962. In 1962 the venue was expanded with a .4 mile semi banked dirt oval for stock car racing. The venue proved to be very popular with it grand stand seating. One NASCAR cup race, named the Independent 250, was run on the 13th of May 1966 at Munroe. It was a 250 lap event around the dirt oval. James Hylton would start on the pole; but second place starter Elmo Langley would lead the first lap. The two
drivers battle side by side early with Hylton eventually putting his machine at the front. While leading, on lap 50, he broke a tie rod and was done for the day. John Sears would take the lead at that point and hold it for the next 22 laps. He would have problems with his differential and fall out on lap 84. Meanwhile Darel Dieringer had started way back in 20th, and was working his way through the pack. He got to the lead on lap 73 and led the final 178 laps to get the win. Clyde Lynn was second, eight laps behind. Wendall Scott was third. Sadly, John sears would lose his brother here at this track in a race in 1973. Sears and Jimmy Trull hooked together as they entered the first turn
on the 38th lap of the 40 lap event. Sears spun sideways and smashed into the guardrail at the end of pit road. The wreck touched off a seven car pile-up. When Sears car hit the rail, it exploded. It was as if dynamite had been placed strategically in the car. Parts went everywhere. The portion of the car with Sears still in it, was still on the track and officials said they thought at least five cars hit the remains of sears car. The speedway ran successfully through until 1978 when it came under pressure from local authorities because of noise issues and the need for the land it sat on. The venue then closed and by 1985 a business park and ball grounds were built on the site.
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