NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A possible moonshine cave has been discovered under the stands at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, according to a statement released by Speedway officials on Tuesday.
During cleaning and inspection last week, staff noticed cracks in the concrete in section N. Crews began removing seats to evaluate damage and repair needs.
A 700-square-foot open area was discovered under the aging concrete.
“When we began renovating and restoring North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2022, we’d often hear stories of how an old moonshine still was operated here on the property under the grandstands,” said Steve Swift, senior vice president of operations and development at Speedway Motorsports. “Well, we haven’t found a still (yet), but we’ve found a small cave and an interior wall that would have been the perfect location to not only make illegal liquor but to hide from the law as well. We don’t know how people would have gotten in and out, but as we uncover more, there’s no telling what we might find.”
North Wilkesboro Speedway was first opened in 1949, serving as the home of various NASCAR races ever since. Considered a “NASCAR original” — the auto racing association began in the same year — the track originally closed in 1996, according to Speedway Motorsports.
The Speedway was well-known for its role in helping moonshiners turn their illegal business into funds, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources explains. At its inception, the race track gave potential whiskey runners, who would be tasked with transporting the illegal whiskey around roadblocks and past law enforcement, the space to show off their skills and vehicles.
In recent years, the North Wilkesboro Speedway has transitioned from a ghost track on the brink of extinction, with dilapidated buildings and deteriorating infrastructure, to a 21st-century facility with an old-school feel that’s able to host NASCAR again.
It will soon host NASCAR All-Star Race Week on May 14-19. But first, crews have to tackle this possible moonshine cave. So far, about 600 seats have been removed from sections N and O, and Speedway Motorsports staff are evaluating the next steps for foundation repair and concrete replacement.
“Now we have a race before the race,” Swift said. “The area that’s been affected by the sinkhole is a front stretch grandstand area with some of the best views of the track. We’ll have a lot of work to get done before NASCAR All-Star Race Week.”