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Concord Speedway

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Coordinates: 35°18′31″N 80°31′17″W / 35.30861°N 80.52139°W / 35.30861; -80.52139
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Concord Speedway
World's Fastest Half-Mile Tri-Oval
The Track Where Grassroots Racing Lives
LocationMidland, North Carolina
Time zoneGMT-5
Capacity8,500
Opened1982 (1982)
Closed2019 (2019)
Former namesConcord Motorsport Park (1982–2008)
Major eventsPASS South Super Late Models
NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
CARS Super Late Model Tour
CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour
Half-mile oval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length0.500 miles (0.804 km)
Turns3
Banking8° (front straight)
14° (turn 1)
10° (dogleg)
11° (back straight)
14° (turn 3)
Quarter-mile oval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length0.250 miles
Turns4
Banking5° (straightaways)
8° (turns)

Concord Speedway was a motorsports facility located in the town of Midland, North Carolina, southeast of Concord, North Carolina. The complex featured a 1⁄2-mile asphalt tri-oval and a 1⁄4-mile asphalt oval.

The complex was built in 1982 by Henry Furr, originally with the big track as a dirt 4⁄10-mile oval. The track was later paved, and then reconfigured in 1991 as a 1⁄2-mile tri-oval. The primary divisions for the half-mile shifted between Super Late Models, and Late Model Stock Cars.

The small track was built first as a 1⁄5-mile layout for go-kart racing in the mid to late 1980s, the track was reconfigured to add a 1/4-mile asphalt oval layout in the mid '90s – the bigger layout featured was loosely egg shaped around the 1⁄5-mile oval – this layout traditionally hosted INEX Legends & INEX Bandoleros as the primary weekly division.

The half-mile track was especially known for the Big 10 Series for Super Late Models, and the North-South Shootout event (featuring multiple divisions – the marquee being a 125-lap Tour-type Modified race).

The track closed in July 2019, and was sold to Copart.

History

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Precursor

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In total, there were 3 tracks under the Concord Speedway name, this facility being the third.

The first track to use the Concord Speedway moniker was built in the 1950s and was built off of Poplar Tent Rd. – located at the end of Old Speedway Dr. NW, this track held seven NASCAR Grand National (now known as the NASCAR Cup Series) events between 1956 and 1959. The track was left abandoned after the closure.

The second track was also built off of Poplar Tent Rd. (located near Eva Drive & Channing Circle) – also in the 1950s. This track was a 1⁄2-mile dirt oval, and also was named Harris Speedway, Concord International Speedway & New Concord Speedway throughout its history. NASCAR held five Grand National races between 1962 and 1964. This track ran throughout the 1970s, it hosted the debut season of the National Dirt Racing Association – which was won by Rodney Combs on May 26, 1979. The NDRA race was also the final race at the Eva Dr. facility.[1]

Both properties of the first 2 tracks are now housing developments.

However, it wasn't the first track to be built in Concord or Cabarrus County. The first track in Concord was called the Concord Fairgrounds, and was located off of Highway 29 at the former Cabarrus District Fairgrounds. This half mile dirt oval facility was originally built for horse racing, and was first used for auto racing in 1925. The track ran until 1934 & also hosted 2 AAA Contest Board Sprint Car races (1931 & 1934).[2] Other notable tracks in the county include famed Charlotte Motor Speedway complex, the Midland Dustbowl - which held racing from 1948 to the 1950s,[3] Twin City Speedway (in Kannapolis) - which held stock car racing on a 1/4 mile dirt oval up to 1964 [4] and Two Flags Speedway (off of Gold Hill Rd.) - which hosted Micro Sprints & Go-Kart racing from 1976 to 1997.[5]

Results

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Fairgrounds (1924–1932)

AAA Sprint Cars

Poplar Tent Road location (1949–1959)

NASCAR Grand National NASCAR held 7 Grand National races on the original dirt half mile located on Old Speedway Drive (near Poplar Tent Road) in Concord.[6]

NASCAR Convertible Series NASCAR held one Convertible Series race on the original dirt half mile.[6]

Eva Drive location (1949–1979)

NASCAR Grand National - NASCAR held 5 Grand National races on the second dirt half mile track located off of Eva Drive (near Popular Tent Road) in Concord. The main entrance driveway for the track is now called Speedway Drive, and is a part of a housing complex.[6]

USAC Stock Car United States Auto Club held two stock car races at the second facility in 1961 and 1963. Both races were 200 lap affairs.

National Dirt Racing Association - NDRA held a single race on the second dirt 1/2 mile track in 1979.

A new beginning

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The current track was built by race promoter Henry Furr in 1982, Furr was looking to build a track following the sale of the previous 1/2 mile dirt track that he promoted. The track was originally a four-tenths of a mile oval, it hosted 3 races for the NDRA dirt late model touring series in 1983 - including the season finale, those were won by Larry Moore (July 4), dirt modified ace Kenny Brightbill (September 3) & Mike Duvall (October 8th).[7] The first few years, the track featured no walls on the outside corners, those were added in by 1984 or 1985.

Pavement era

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Furr paved the track in August 1986, the track was reconfigured in 1991, adding a true dog-leg to the backstretch. The track now is a half-mile with three unique turns, all with unique banking. The shape of the new layout was similar to Pocono Raceway, and Sanair Super Speedway. Pit road entrance is located in the tri-oval prior to turn three, grandstand seating held over 12,000 fans.

The track started the Big 10 Series for Super Late Models in 1987, Jack Sprague won the first series title. The series became very popular with the fans, as it was highly competitive.

David Laton purchased the track following the 1996 season. The Big 10 Series didn't return in 1997 for the first season under new ownership & Late Model Stock Cars became the main weekly championship of the half-mile. Laton made several capital improvements to the facility including a repave (done in 1999), replaced barriers & fencing, a Hubbell lighting system & several fan amenities. Grandstand seating was also downsized, as most of the Alan Kulwicki Grandstand became a dirt berm, with only the portion near the turn 1 gate staying intact - being replaced with metal bleachers.

The track brought back the Super Late Models for the Big 10 Series in 2003, the championship lasted until 2005. Freddie Query is the track's all-time leader in wins and claimed the Big 10 series championship in 2004 and 2005.

Late Model Stock Cars returned as the main track championship, until 2009 when the track added Pro Late Models to the weekly card.

One of the track's more popular events, the North South Shootout was started in 2003 at the half-mile tri-oval. The event featured a 125-lap race for Tour-type Modifieds, along with several other marquee divisions such as Supermodifieds & the ARCA/CRA Super Series. The event stayed at Concord until 2010, it was originally going to move to Myrtle Beach Speedway for 2011 - however Caraway Speedway hosted the annual event following the death of original race promoter Charles Kepley.[8]

Half Mile uncertainty & revival

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The track stopped weekly racing on the half-mile tri-oval in 2012, only the quarter-mile oval has hosted weekly racing since. The quarter-mile weekly program features INEX Legends, INEX Bandoleros, along with Davis Mini Cups, go-karts, and quarter midgets on select nights. The quarter-mile traditionally featured racing from March to May, and August to early October – with a 2-month break in June and July. Previously, this layout also featured USAC Speed2 Eastern Midgets during the summer months (2008–2010).

In 2015, racing returned to the half-mile tri-oval after not hosting any touring series for the past 2 years, the opening event featured the PASS South Super Late Models and Koma Unwind Modified Madness Series running on Memorial Day weekend.

That season also saw the return of the North-South Shootout event in November. Alongside the John Blewett III Memorial 125 for the Tour-type Modifieds, other touring series such as the PASS South Super Late Models were a part of the event. CARS Tour also returned that year – now in the dual series format for Super Late Models & Late Model Stock Cars. CARS Tour ran for 3 seasons until the end of 2017.

On May 5, 2018, the track hosted the Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series. Defending series champion Ricky Rude got the lead on lap #6 & won the A-main feature.[9]

Closure

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On January 9, 2019, North-South Shootout promoter Darren Hacket announced that the event would move away from the facility to Hickory Motor Speedway due to the uncertain future of the Concord Speedway complex.[10]

The track would continue to host the INEX Legend Cars & INEX Bandoleros on the quarter-mile track.

On July 2, 2019, it was announced that the track would be sold, and that leaders in each of the weekly series point standings would be awarded championship trophies for the year. The buyer was later reported to be Copart.[11]

Notable competitors

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Winners and competitors at the track include Greg Pope, Freddy Query, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jack Sprague, Ernie Irvan, Bobby Labonte, Denny Bennet, Justin Labonte, Clay Rogers, Jimmy Simpson, Bobby Gill, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Bobby Measmer Jr., Ryan Preece, Daniel Hemric, Buster Bennet, Jeff Melton, Sonny Schoffen, Kenny Brooks, Shane Huffman and Josh Hogan,Claude Kelly.

Statistics

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The park consists of two tracks: a 1⁄2-mile tri-oval and a 1⁄4-mile oval. Originally the 1⁄4-mile oval was a 1⁄5-mile oval and the 1⁄4-mile was added later. The 1⁄5-mile is still there but only used for Davis Mini Cups and quarter midgets. The tri-oval seats 8,500 fans with room for 28 RVs, while the 1/4 mile track seats 2,050. Additionally, the track has several air-conditioned suites located behind the main grandstand.

The track is active as a site for the filming of several television commercials, television shows, movies, and music videos.

Events

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Former touring series & events (half-mile)

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Former touring series & special events (quarter-mile)

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Former weekly divisions (half-mile)

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  • Late Model Stock Cars (−2012)
  • Street Stock (2012)
  • Fast & Furious 4's (2007–2012)
  • Vintage Sportsman (2012)
  • Sportsman (2012)
  • Pure Stock (2003–2011)
  • Pro Late Model (2009 & 2010)
  • Thunderstox (2010)
  • INEX Thunder Roadsters (2009)
  • Limited Late Models (2004–2008)
  • Super Late Models (1987–1996, 2003–2005)
  • Mini Stocks (–2005)
  • Hornets (–2005)
  • Limited Stock Cars (–2003)
  • Pro Trucks (–2003)
  • X-Cars (2001–2002)
  • Road Hawgs
  • Super Stocks

Former weekly divisions (quarter mile)

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Note: data only goes back to 2001

Results

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North South Shootout

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the North South Shootout was held 12 times at Concord, with the marquee race being the Tour-type Modified - John Blewett III Memorial 125 in memory of Charles Kepley. Other divisions of the event included: ARCA/CRA Super Series, PASS South Super Late Models, Supermodifieds, SK Modifieds, Vintage cars & other regional divisions from the east coast.

Tour-type Modifieds

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Season Date Winning Driver Laps
100 lap event
2003 November 8 John Blewett, III 100
2004 November 6 Donny Lia 128
2005 November 5 John Blewett, III 100
2006 November 4 Matt Hirschman 100
2007 November 2 Matt Hirschman 100
125 lap event
2008 November 8 Burt Myers 125
2009 November 7 Burt Myers 125
2010 November 6 Matt Hirschman 125
2015 November 8 Justin Bonsignore 125
2016 November 5 Andy Seuss 125
2017 November 4 Matt Hirschman 125
2018 November 10 Jon McKennedy 125

Super Late Models

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Season Date Winning Driver Laps
CRA Super Series - Southern Division
2010 November 6 Colt James 125
PASS South Super Late Models
2015 November 8 Dave Garbo Jr. 100
2016 November 5 Dalton Sargeant 125
2017 November 4 Matt Craig 125

ASA National Tour

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ASA held two ASA National Tour races on the paved half mile.

CARS Tour

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CARS Tour held races on the paved half mile with the CARS Pro Cup Series (then USAR Pro Cup) between 1998 & 2011, and the current dual series format for Super Late Models & Late Model Stock Cars between 2015 & 2017.

Season Date Winning Driver Manufacturer Laps
USAR Hooters Pro Cup
1998 May 23 Chad Chaffin Ford 250
July 24 Michael Ritch Chevrolet 250
1999 May 29 Mario Gosselin Chevrolet 250
2000 October 28 Clay Rogers Ford 250
USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series - Championship Series
2001 October 27 Hal Goodson Ford 250
USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series - Southern Division
2002 September 14 Bobby Gill Ford 222
2003 May 10 Clay Rogers Ford 251
2004 April 24 Bobby Gill Ford 250
2005 April 23 Bobby Gill Ford 250
2006 April 29 Shane Huffman Chevrolet 250
2007 April 28 Chase Pistone Chevrolet 254
2008 April 26 Michael Ritch Ford 205
USAR Pro Cup Series
2009 April 4 Trevor Bayne Chevrolet 250
September 5 Clay Rogers Chevrolet 254
2010 August 28 Jeff Agnew Ford 250
2011 August 13 Brad Rogers Ford 200

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour

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NASCAR held two Whelen Southern Modified Tour races on the paved half mile, and the SMART Modified Tour (precursor to the Whelen Southern Modified Tour) also held 6 races at the track.

Season Date Winning Driver Laps
SMART Modified Tour (1988–2004)
1991 April 13 Gary Myers
1998 July 2 Jay Hedgecock
1999 July 1 Jay Hedgecock
2002 October 5 Junior Miller
2003 October 4 Jay Hedgecock 150
2004 October 9 Ted Christopher 154
NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour (2005–2016)
2008 March 21 Ted Christopher 150
2016 April 2 George Brunnhozlel III 150

PASS South Super Late Models

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PASS held 10 races at Concord between 2007 & 2017.

Season Date Event Winning Driver Laps
2007 November 17 Mason Dixon Meltdown Ben Rowe 200
2010 May 29 Old Glory 150 Andy Loden 150
2011 November 26 Mason Dixon Meltdown Colt James 200
2012 May 26 CV Products 125 Kyle Grissom 125
2012 November 24 Mason Dixon Meltdown Preston Peltier 200
2015 November 8 North South Shootout Dave Garbo Jr. 100
2016 May 27 Old Glory Twin 125's Ryan Moore 125
2016 November 5 Mason Dixon Meltdown Dalton Sargeant 125
2017 November 4 North South Shootout Matt Craig 125
2018 May 25 Old Glory 125 Matt Wallace 125

UARA STARS

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UARA STARS Late Model Series held 9 races at the half-mile track from 2007 to 2012.

Season Date Winning Driver Laps
2007 March 31 Matt DiBenedetto 152
2007 October 20 Ross Furr 150
2008 March 29 Ross Furr 150
2008 October 25 Chad Mullis 150
2009 April 25 Paddy Rodenbeck 150
2009 November 14 Coleman Pressley 150
2010 August 7 Garrett Campbell 150
2011 October 29 Steve Wallace 150
2012 August 4 Brandon Jones 155

Track Champions

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Half Mile Track

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Big 10 Series (Super Late Models)

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  • 1987 - Jack Sprague
  • 1988 - Larry Raines
  • 1989 - Jack Sprague
  • 1990 - Robbie Faggart
  • 1991 - Rich Bickle
  • 1992 - Rich Bickle
  • 1993 - Freddie Query
  • 1994 - Freddie Query
  • 1995 - Mike Thomas
  • 1996 - Eddie Massengill
  • 2003 - Eddie Massengill
  • 2004 - Freddie Query
  • 2005 - Freddie Query[12]

Pro Late Models

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  • 2009 - Cooper Faassen
  • 2010 - Colt James

Late Model Stock Cars

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  • 1988 - Freddie Query
  • 1989 - Jack Sprague
  • 1990 - Freddie Query
  • 1991 - Freddie Query
  • 1992 - Freddie Query
  • 1993 - Greg Pope
  • 1994 - Jack Sprague
  • 1995 - Greg Pope
  • 1996 - Lance Moss
  • 1997 - Mike Herman Jr.
  • 1998 - Mike Herman Jr.
  • 1999 - Kevin Love
  • 2000 - Kevin Love
  • 2001 - Kevin Love
  • 2002 - Chris Beach
  • 2003 - Shaun Mangum
  • 2004 - Todd Bardburry
  • 2005 - Travis Sharpe
  • 2006 - Shane Brafford
  • 2007 - Chuck Crump
  • 2008 - Kevin Love
  • 2009 - Steve Ackerly
  • 2010 - Jay Payne
  • 2011 - Bobby Measmer Jr.
  • 2012 - Kenny Brooks

Late Model Sportsman

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  • 1997 - Terry Brooks

Limited Late Models

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  • 2004 - Terry Brooks Jr.
  • 2005 - Terry Hoggard
  • 2006 - Ben Hinson
  • 2007 - Bobby Measmer Jr.
  • 2008 - Mike Terry

Pro Truck

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  • 2000 - Jeremy Moore
  • 2001 - Roger Lee Newton
  • 2002 - Terry Brooks Jr.
  • 2003 - Terry Brooks Jr.

Limited Stock

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  • 2001 - Kenneth Cook
  • 2002 - Jeff Melton
  • 2003 - David Kepley

Pure Stock

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  • 2003 - Mark Harris
  • 2004 - Luke Nickels
  • 2005 - Brian Love
  • 2006 - Steve Irvin
  • 2007 - Ben Smith
  • 2008 - Charles Hutto
  • 2009 - Jeff Melton
  • 2010 - Jeff Melton

Street Stock

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  • 1997 - Dave Berry
  • 1999 - Mike Glover

Fast & Furious Fours

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  • 2007 - Tracy Mullis
  • 2008 - Chad Miller
  • 2009 - Wayne Harrington
  • 2010 - Chad Miller

Mini Stocks

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  • 1997 - David Pennell. 1998- Randy Freeze
  • 2001 - Jeff Whitley
  • 2002 - Roy Maness
  • 2003 - Randy Freeze
  • 2004 - Adam Beaver
  • 2005 - David Pennell

Hornets

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  • 2002 - Mark Harris
  • 2003 - Mark Harris
  • 2004 - Chad Miller
  • 2005 - Bobby Measmer Jr.

Thunderstox

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  • 2010 - Rusty Drye

INEX Thunder Roadsters

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  • 2004 - Matt Lassiter
  • 2005 - Kyle Beattie
  • 2009 - Adam Welch

X-Carz

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  • 2001 - Guy Bacelo
  • 2002 - Junior Cress
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Concord was noted for being used as a filming & production location, especially within the racing industry given the close proximity to most NASCAR teams.

Some of the notable movies & shows filmed at the facility included: 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story & Shaq Vs. (as the opening show of season 2 where Shaquille O'Neal held a match race with NASCAR star & former Concord regular Dale Earnhardt Jr.)

Many commercials were filmed at Concord as well, among the companies & brands that used the track included: Allstate, AAA Insurance, Blimpie, Coors Light, ESPN, Gilette, National Guard, Mountain Dew, Pizza Hut, TBS (promotion featuring country music duo Brooks & Dunn for the Coca-Cola 600 in 1998) & Wrangler Jeans.

Among video games, Concord was included in several video games. Most notable of those is iRacing.com - which was one of their first tracks that the group laser scanned in 2005. The track is currently a part of iRacing's base content package. It was also featured in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup game by Infogrames (released in 2002 for the PC).

Among modding circles for various PC racing games, it was also recreated for several Papyrus Design Group NASCAR games such as NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, and also for NASCAR Heat.

Concord was also used for some inspiration for a fictional track in several NASCAR console games by EA Sports. The fictional track - called Levi Strauss Signature Speedway debuted in NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup

References

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  1. ^ "User Comments - Concord Speedway". Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  2. ^ "AutoRacingRecords.com". www.autoracingrecords.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "AutoRacingRecords.com". www.autoracingrecords.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ghosts of Southern Dirt Tracks Past". www.webprosolutions.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2016.
  5. ^ "AutoRacingRecords.com". www.autoracingrecords.com. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "NASCAR results". Racing Reference. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  7. ^ "Dirt on Dirt - History".
  8. ^ "Website Disabled". Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  9. ^ "Bandit live stream - Concord Speedway 5/5/18". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021.
  10. ^ North South Shootout moving to new track in 2019 speed51.com [dead link‍]
  11. ^ Evans, Zach. "Imminent Sale of Historic North Carolina Track Announced". Speed51. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  12. ^ Concord Speedway a track built for super late models speed51.com [dead link‍]
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35°18′31″N 80°31′17″W / 35.30861°N 80.52139°W / 35.30861; -80.52139

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