[Tracks in the Region]

teribb — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:40:51 -0400

Before race-car drivers reach the top levels of their sport, they compete at local and regional tracks.

Stock-car tracks abound in the Triangle and vicinity, drawing local drivers and touring series, along with the occasional NASCAR star revisiting his roots.

The region also offers drag strips and road courses that see lots of regional, national and international action.

And within a few hours’ drive of the Triangle are five of NASCAR’s top venues.

STOCK-CAR TRACKS

Short-track racing is great entertainment, and it's easy to find around the Triangle and the region. You never know which star of tomorrow you might watch win tonight. The tracks conduct their own weekly racing divisions, and numerous touring series visit throughout the season.

NEARBY TRACKS

East Carolina Motor Speedway The 3/8-mile, D-shaped asphalt oval, which is located on U.S. 64 Alternate west of Robersonville, conducts races on Saturday nights.

Orange County Speedway The 3/8-mile asphalt oval is located at 9740 N.C. 57, just off U.S. 501 South, Rougemont. Races take place on Saturday nights, with some afternoon races held in the spring and fall.

Southern National Raceway Park The high-banked, 0.4-mile asphalt oval is located at 8071 Newsome Mill Road, Lucama, which is near Kenly in eastern Johnston County. Races are held on Saturday nights.

Wake County Speedway The quarter-mile asphalt oval is located at 2109 Simpkins Road, off U.S. 401 South, Raleigh. Racing takes place on Friday nights.

ALSO IN THE REGION

Ace Speedway The 4/10-mile paved oval is located at 3401 Altamahaw Racetrack Road, Altamahaw, in Alamance County. Races are held on Friday nights.

Caraway Speedway The .455-mile asphalt oval is located at 2518 Race Track Road Extension, Sophia, near Asheboro. Races are held on Fridays or Saturdays and occasionally on Sundays.

Coastal Plains Raceway The 4/10th-mile paved tri-oval is located on N.C. 24 about four miles west of Jacksonville. Racing takes place on Saturday nights.7

South Boston Speedway The 4/10-mile asphalt oval is located on U.S. 360 east in South Boston, Va., an easy drive from the Triangle. Races are held on Saturday nights.

ANOTHER PLACE TO WATCH

Rockingham Speedway The historic former North Carolina Speedway — site of 78 of NASCAR's Cup Series races from 1965 to 2004 — off U.S. 1 about 75 miles south of Raleigh is back in action after retired racer Andy Hillenburg took ownership in fall 2007. The ARCA RE/MAX Series' Carolina 500 will be run at the 1.017-mile high-banked oval on May 4, 2008, and United Speed Alliance Racing's Hooters Pro Cup Series is expected to visit in November 2008.

DRAG-RACING VENUES

Race cars don’t just travel in circles in the region. Some of the fastest cars travel straight lines. Here are some places to watch the action and listen to the roar:

Rockingham Dragway The quarter-mile drag strip is located in Rockingham, about 75 miles south of Raleigh on U.S. 1 at N.C. 177. Events — including International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) championships, along with any-car event — are held Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Coastal Plains Dragway The quarter-mile strip is located on N.C. 24 about four miles west of Jacksonville. Racing takes place on Saturdays.

Dunn-Benson Dragstrip The 1/8-mile track is located at 555 Dragstrip Road, Benson. Racing takes place on Fridays and Saturdays.

Fayetteville Motorsports Park The quarter-mile track is located at 4480 Doc Bennet Road, Fayetteville. Racing takes place primarily on Friday nights.

Kinston Drag Strip The 1/8-mile track is located at 2869 Hull Road, Kinston, just off N.C. 11 South. Racing takes place on alternate weekends.

Outer Banks Speedway The IHRA-sanctioned 1/8-mile drag strip is located at 426 Benson Road, Creswell. Racing takes place Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Roxboro Motorsports Dragway The 1/8-mile track is located at 1452 Thomas Store Road, Timberlake. Events take place Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

ROAD-COURSE RACING

An easy drive from the Triangle is the Virginia International Raceway, which is located at 1245 Pine Tree Road, Alton, Va., about 12 miles east of Danville, Va.; 20 miles south of South Boston, Va.; or about 70 miles from downtown Raleigh. The road-racing motorsports facility, which attracts national and international competition, has four configurations, including its 4.2-mile Grand Course. Racing includes the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, the SunTrust Moto ST Series, the AMA Superbike Championship and the Sports Car Club of America.

NEXTEL CUP TRACKS

Within a few hours’ drive of the Triangle are five of NASCAR’s top venues, where racing fans can experience racing in the Nextel Cup Series (which becomes the Sprint Cup Series starting in 2008), the Busch Series (Nationwide Series in '08) or the Craftsman Truck Series.

Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, Tenn.)

Darlington Raceway (Darlington, S.C.)

Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.)

Martinsville Speedway (Martinsville, Va.)

Richmond International Raceway (Richmond, Va.)

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[Tracks in the Region]