FANTASY NASCAR Racin

The track was built by Harold Brasington, most remembered as the founder of Darlington Speedway. In 1957 the track opened to local weekly racing. The speedway was considered quite modern for its time, but it never seemed to find real success, and closed after only a couple years. During it's early years the track hosted the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman, and Short Track divisions. Tar Heel Speedway reopened in 1962 as a 1/4 mile paved track and the NASCAR Modified's ran several races there. The NASCAR Cup series visited the speedway three times; all in the 1963 season. In those days, some seasons started "early"; so the first race there was in November of 1962; but counted toward 1963 season points. All three races were won by Petty Racing cars. The first race was 200 laps around the tight little bull ring and was held on Thanksgiving day; named the Turkey Day 200. Glen Wood

started on the pole and seemed to be on his way toa dominant win. After leading the first 173 laps he blew a tire and Jim Paschal picked up the lead and went on to win by two laps over Joe Weatherly. The Cup stars were back in May for another 200 lap affair. This time Ned Jarrett won the pole and jumped to the lead; heading the field the first 130 laps. Jarrett charged away, while Paschal would lay back and conserve his equipment. But like Glen Wood the race before; Jarrett had a flat tire, and Paschal would bypass Jarrett and lead the final 70 laps to get the win. Once again Joe Weatherly was second, with Jarrett third. The final race was held in October and was race #51 of the 55 race season. Fred Lorenzen won the pole and led the first 159 laps, but once again the pole winner would encounter problems as he fell out with a broken differential. Richard Petty would take over the lead and go on to get the win. For the third time, Joe Weatherly finished second. The track remained open until 1975 when it shut down.