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If you rebuild it they will come and come


If you rebuild it they will come and come  

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Author: dnoldschool34   Date: 9/1/2022 11:41:53 AM    Show Orig. Msg (this window) Or  In New Window

Last night was the first time I've been to a racetrack in over 11 years not always by choice but by life circumstances. My son talked me into going to North Wilkesboro for the late model race and I am so glad that he did. I'll try to highlight the nights events and the best I can and hopefully you guys up north will make the journey south to one of the races at the North Wilkesboro speedway. 

Likes, there's almost too many to mention here and keep this at a reasonable length. When you first walk into the track it's like the ghost of NASCAR passed her all around you. There is remnants of Winston signage and red paint everywhere. It seems strange that you see people using buildings with no roofs no windows but the lines in front of them go on and on. It is remarkable what the track staff has done to the grounds in a short period of time over the past few months. While the amenities are not perfect it is lessened by the fact of just how much work has gone into the place and a remarkable job they've done and getting the track in race condition .

Things that I find interesting was that it was somewhat of an older crowd and a certainly mannerly crowd with no fighting no drinking and drunks everywhere. I saw many cases where elderly people were having a hard time navigating the steep concrete steps and people got up out of their seats to assist them back to their seat up and down the aisle. It was very clear that everyone in attendance last night was just plain happy to be there and having a great time.

As far as the track is concerned for the life of me I don't know why they want to tear up the asphalt as it appeared to be in really good shape and it wasn't wearing tires as one might expect from a tractor that sat dormant for 25 years. I also was pleasantly surprised to see the entire grandstand stand and honor the colorguard as it entered and left the track after opening ceremonies something I haven't seen in a long time.

The race was held up from starting due to the fact that there was so many people still trying to get into the facility that they held the race up which if you're sitting in the stands might've been an inconvenience but if you're waiting to get in was a blessing. And nobody seem to mind.

They had a good country band they played a concert for about an hour and rocked the place which made waiting a whole lot more tolerable. They had a driver autograph session that lasted 45 minutes or so and everybody was there to get Junior's autograph. The track announcer announce later on in the night that it was a crowd of 20,000+ and I have no reason to doubt it.

Now it was a great race I was not a whole lot of passing throughout the entire field but the car is ran a smooth race there was one or two spoons no contact no rough riding no jumping to restart it was a hard fall race between three or four guys and every time Junior pass the car the fans went crazy as to be expected. Junior ended up finishing third and he had a clear shot at winning however the cars in front of him we're running for points and the guy who won the race Was in a car owned by Dale Junior. 

The support race is being street stocks and late models limited late models ran a good race exciting races no rough riding and again one or two spins and that was it amazingly clean racing the entire night which sped up the show.

Although the tract lacks some of the creature comforts such as permanent bathrooms the atmosphere was was one that no one really seem to notice and/or care. The food prices were extremely reasonable and I noticed the beer was selling for just three dollars I can. I didn't see anybody abusing it I didn't see any drunks arguing and fighting in the stands like I've seen it so many other race tracks over the years.

It's my understanding that when the car is come back in October they'll be even more creature comforts as for getting the track back to what everyone would love to see is our Hercules task but the track staff seems to be working at it at great pace. I think one of the reasons for the crowd was obviously the attraction of Dale Junior being there however it's my understanding from my son who went to the modified race earlier that the track was just as packed without any big name drivers being there like Junior.

I think the track is made a smart move by running the shows mid week so it's not to interfere with the local tracks and getting the people in and out at a reasonable time week on a weeknight certainly is also a plus. The general admission price was $25 which is certainly a reasonable price for the amount of racing that went on last night which also included a firework show at the end of the evening and a country concert you can't beat the value.

 

Cons;  I can't think of one thing that I could complain about as far as last nights racing was concerned. The weather was great the racing was great the crowd was fantastic even getting out at the end of the night with that crowd the state police had it nailed. It was just a plane right now at the races with my son.

 

So enclosing I can only make the recommendation that if you have the opportunity to come down to North Carolina and make a race at the North Wilkesboro speedway you will not be disappointed. 




 
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If you rebuild it they will come and come dnoldschool34 8/31/2022 10:13:51 PM