With the racing world paused amid the COVID-19 outbreak, SPEED SPORT is highlighting race tracks around the United States. This is part of that ongoing series.
Track of the Day: Hickory Motor Speedway
Address: 3130 Highway 70 SE, Newton, NC 28658
Website: www.hickorymotorspeedway.com
History: Affectionately known as ‘The World’s Most Famous Short Track,’ Hickory Motor Speedway first opened as a half-mile dirt track in 1951. Gwyn Staley took home the trophy from the first race at Hickory and was later crowned the first track champion.
Through the years some of NASCAR’s greatest stars claimed track titles at Hickory, including Ned Jarrett, Harry Gant, Jack Ingram and Junior Johnson. Ralph Earnhardt, father of Dale Earnhardt and grandfather of Dale Earnhardt Jr., won five of the first nine track championships at Hickory.
The track was re-configured three times, with the track being paved for the first time in 1967 before being shortened to its present length of .363 miles.
Beginning in 1953 through 1971, the NASCAR Cup Series made annual visits to Hickory Motor Speedway. The first of those races was won by Tim Flock in 1953 with drivers such as Herb Thomas, Lee and Richard Petty, David Pearson, Johnson and Isaac collecting victories. Tiny Lund won the final NASCAR Cup Series race at Hickory in 1971.
One of NASCAR’s national divisions visited Hickory for the final time in 1998, when Ed Berrier drove to victory in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition at the track.
The track continues to host weekly racing, with NASCAR-sanctioned late model stock cars serving as the track’s top division. Thomas Beane is the most recent track champion at Hickory. The track’s two biggest weekly events are the Bobby Isaac Memorial on Sept. 5 and the Fall Brawl on Oct. 17.
Lastly, the track continues to host regular visits from touring series such as the CARS Solid Rock Carriers Tour and the Pro All Stars Series. The annual running of the North-South Shootout for tour-type modifieds also takes place at Hickory on Nov. 5-7.
