I lived in Wilkesboro for more than a decade. I heard tell that Bill France promised Enoch Staley (N. Wilkesboro Speedway owner) he'd always have two race venues as long as he lived. Staley gave a lot to help get NASCAR going and Mr. France, it is said, backed up the help he gave to the new motorsport when winners purses were hard to pay just from the gate. The venues were sold two seasons after Mr. Staley passed.
The short track was always one of my favorites but, yeah, parking was cramped and the owner never gave in for the investments that all the glossier tracks had.
I hate the history of the Speedway has rolled over and died. Each time a I go back to the home place I see the end of the beginning getting ready to collapse. It's a shame the geniues in Wilkes County weren't able to turn the track into the official NASCAR Museum. Ashes to ashes.
But Bristol?! WOW! What a race. I guess I'm a short track dog. You?
