NASCAR’s history is deeply rooted in Prohibition-era illegal moonshine, and a local legend told at one of the sport’s historic racetracks could come true this week.
North Wilkesboro Speedway officials in North Carolina announced Tuesday that a long-rumored secret moonshine cache may have been discovered beneath one of the grandstands thanks to a sinkhole.
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Ty Gibbs, driver of the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, takes the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 21, 2023 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Officials said in a press release that during the cleanup operation, crews discovered an approximately 700-square-foot area under old concrete on the N section of the track.
“As we began the renovation and restoration of North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2022, we often heard that the old moonshine was still operating here on the property below the grandstand,” Speedway Motorsports said. said Steve Swift, vice president of operations and development.
“Well, we haven’t found the still (yet), but we did find a small cave and an inner wall that was a perfect place not only to make illegal booze, but also to hide from the law. We don’t know how it got in and out, but we don’t know what we’ll find if we dig further.”
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North Wilkesboro signs around the speedway before the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Tyson 250 run at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 20, 2023 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Officials said crews are removing about 600 seats and considering the next stage of repairs in preparation for the NASCAR All-Star Race, scheduled for May 14-19.
Swift added that there is a lot of work to do before fans can attend races.
Wilkes County, North Carolina, was once considered the center of the state’s moonshine industry, according to Spectrum News. Transporting liquor required fast, skilled drivers who could navigate back roads at night.
That led to competitive racing between drivers and ultimately the beginning of NASCAR.
HendrickCars.com Chevrolet No. 5 holds up the All-Star Moonshine Still trophy in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, May 21, 2023. Kyle Larson, driver. (Chris Gracen/Getty Images)
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North Wilkesboro Speedway was one of the original NASCAR tracks, opening in 1947. The track was closed in his 1996 year and left in a hopeless condition, but was eventually refurbished and reopened in 2023 for the NASCAR All-Star Race.
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