In a plot twist that could rival any NASCAR race finish, workers at North Carolina’s North Wilkesboro Speedway have stumbled upon a hidden gem—or should we say, a hidden jug? Beneath the concrete grandstands of this historic racetrack, a potential moonshine cave has been unearthed, stirring up as much excitement as a final lap duel.
The discovery unfolded at the speedway, a venue steeped in racing lore since its construction in 1947. The track isn’t just known for tire marks and checkered flags; it’s whispered to have harbored a secret moonshine operation, a nod to NASCAR’s bootlegging origins. Last week, while investigating a rather dramatic sinkhole incident, track workers peeled back seats only to reveal an underground chamber believed to be a bootlegger’s dream spot for brewing their illicit concoctions.
Steve Swift, the senior vice president of operations and development at Speedway Motorsports, shared his amazement with WBTV. He recounted tales of an old moonshine still whispered among locals and staff. “We’d often hear stories… and now, here we are, finding a small cave that screams ‘moonshiner’s paradise,’” Swift said, paraphrasing his reaction to the discovery. While the still itself remains elusive, the cave and an adjacent interior wall suggest a perfect hideout for those looking to dodge the long arm of the law while distilling their spirited beverages.
Credit: North Wilkesboro Speedway
The exact ins and outs of this hidden cavern remain a mystery. How did the moonshiners move in and out undetected? What other secrets does this underground lair hold? As the Speedway Motorsports team digs deeper, who knows what bootlegging artifacts or hidden hooch bottles might emerge from the shadows?
Despite this intriguing find, the show must go on. The team is now juggling their unexpected role as historical treasure hunters with the pressing need for foundation repair and concrete work. After all, the NASCAR All-Star Race Week is fast approaching, slated for May 14 through May 19, and the track must be in tip-top shape to welcome racing enthusiasts from near and far.
North Wilkesboro Speedway, a cornerstone in NASCAR’s storied history, hosted the season finale of the first Strictly Stock (now Cup) Series in 1949. Though its engines went silent in 1996, the track roared back to life in August 2022, once again becoming a hub for racing excitement.
As this tale of motorsports meets moonshine continues to unfold, one thing’s for sure: North Wilkesboro Speedway’s legacy just got a whole lot richer. Whether you’re there for the high-octane racing or just curious about its newfound bootlegging backstory, this track’s next chapter promises to be anything but ordinary.
