NASCAR was founded in 1948 in Daytona, FL and held it's first modified race there on the beach. However, the founder of the organization, Bill France Sr., saw a growing potential for a "strictly stock" series and decided to have a "cup series" of races in 1949, beginning here in Charlotte, NC. The reason for having the event in Charlotte? His main rival, Bruton Smith, was starting a similar stock car division right here in the Queen City. Oh, the irony of it all...
A crowd of 23,000 curious spectators arrived to see what all the commotion was about at this 3/4 mile long dirt oval. I can't imagine what the scene must have been like as drivers pulled onto the starting line in cars they had just driven down the street.
After 150 dusty miles, the first place driver of the race was Glenn Dunnaway, but during post-race inspection, his car was disqualified for having modified springs (a common "bootlegger" tactic). Dunnaway later sued, but lost. Jim Roper was declared the official winner and given the $2000 winning purse. Roper had learned of the race through a syndicated comic strip. NASCAR tore his motor apart after the race, and he had to find a replacement engine to get him back to his home State of Kansas. Roper only competed in one other NASCAR race in his career, finishing 15th, but his legacy is forever etched in auto racing history.
Other notable drivers in the initial field included:
- Fonty Flock (first ever modified cup champion)
- Red Byron (first "strictly stock" cup champion)
- Lee Petty (first Daytona 500 winner)
- Curtis Turner (called the "Babe Ruth of Stock Car
Racing")
- Buck Baker (first driver to ever win consecutive cup
championships)
All in all, 12 NASCAR events were held at this track between 1949 and 1956.
If you're in town for race week, be sure to take a photo of yourself at the nearby historical marker with your favorite driver's garb and post a pic here, then let us know where you're from.
As with all caches, be aware of your surroundings while hunting. This area is generally safe during the daytime, but I would not recommend searching for it after dark. Be safe.
This cache was placed by a member of the Greater Charlotte Geocaching Club
1st place - jheaton
2nd place - Hurricanfan
3rd place - gbmcache