The NASCAR track has long seen rumors of being a moonshine still
North Wilkesboro Speedway is known for short track racing. Beyond the surface, the North Carolina track was rumored to be the site of a moonshine still.
View photos of the possible moonshine cave below.
The track is currently prepping to host the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race in 2024. While inspecting the grandstands, track workers spotted cracks.
Seats were removed an an inspection was underway. In the process, an open area of approximately 700 sq ft was discovered under the stands.
Steve Swift comments
“When we began renovating and restoring North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2022, we’d often hear stories of how an old moonshine still was operated here on the property under the grandstands,” said Steve Swift, senior vice president of operations and development at Speedway Motorsports.
“Well, we haven’t found a still (yet), but we’ve found a small cave and an interior wall that would have been the perfect location to not only make illegal liquor, but to hide from the law as well. We don’t know how people would have gotten in and out, but as we uncover more, there’s no telling what we might find.”
The track is currently working on foundation repair and concrete replacement ahead of this year’s NASCAR event.
“Now we have a race before the race,” Swift commented. “The area that’s been affected by the sinkhole is a frontstretch grandstand area with some of the best views of the track. We’ll have a lot of work to get done before NASCAR All-Star Race Week.”
North Wilkesboro Speedway opened in 1947. It hosted it’s first NASCAR race in 1949.
North Wilkesboro Race Results: May 21, 2023 (NASCAR All-Star)
North Wilkesboro Speedway
Moonshine Cave?
