A possible moonshine operation has been found underneath the concrete front stretch grandstands at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.
It has been rumored for decades that the historic speedway was the site of a secret moonshine still.
The discovery was made as workers were cleaning and inspecting the grandstands last week. Cracks in the original concrete in section N were located. Crews began removing seats to inspect the extent of the damage and evaluate needs for repair.
As seats were removed for further inspection, an open area believed to be a former moonshine cave was found under the grandstand.
“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.”
Speedway Motorsports staff are evaluating next steps for foundation repair and concrete replacement in advance of the upcoming May 14-19 NASCAR All-Star Race Week.
The track which has re-opened in recent years opened in 1947.
Photo: North Wilkesboro Speedway