You don’t need to be a NASCAR fan to appreciate the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail tucked away inside the James M. Johnson Nature Preserve just outside of Hillsborough, North Carolina. But if you happen to be a NASCAR fan, then a visit here will be among the highlights of your fanning career.
Hidden here among the pines is the only surviving dirt track from NASCAR's inaugural season.
NASCAR racing legends such as Fireball Roberts, Richard Petty Sr., Junior Johnson, and Ned Jarrett (among others) graced the one-mile track, circling as few as 90 and as many as 200 times, depending on the race and the year.
However, over the last decade, the site has been cleaned up and spruced up, as some of the historic elements have been recreated and/or restored. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and a dedicated group of volunteers (the Historic Speedway Group) works to maintain the integrity of the historic track.
While the oval track was only one mile in length, visitors to the preserve can hike the HOST trail (Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail) which follows the original track and several hundred feet leading to the track from the parking area. The preserve also includes another three miles of trails for those interested in exploring more of the woodlands and along the Eno River.
Walkers and runners alike will enjoy a nice and easy pace on a dirt track traveled by many of the legendary greats in NASCAR history. Imagine the flags swiping from the replica flag stand as you cross the finish line in first place. Then go sit in the stands and pretend to listen to the sound of the roaring crowds while everyone else crosses, too.
If you want to learn more about it and see more if it, then you're in luck! According to a January 17, 2020, post on the Visit Hillsborough, NC Facebook page, legendary NASCAR drivers Richard Petty and Dale Ernhardt, Jr. were just at the track filming a show with Matthew Dillner.
The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail is open year-round and admission is free. Although open during daylight hours, the trail's open and close times vary by month.
To see the complete list of hours, visit this page on the website of the Classic American Homes Preservation Trust, who oversees the care of the the trail and the nature preserve. Learn more about the site, and see some incredible photos from the past, on the official website of the Historic Speedway Group.
Not enough people know one of NASCAR’s first two tracks is hiding among the pines in this North Carolina nature preserve. What an epic piece of North Carolina history!
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