The popularity of the History Channel’s hit series “Madhouse” has brought historic Bowman-Gray Stadium to the forefront and introduced short track racing to many people who have never seen it before. And Bowman-Gray is the epitome of what a short track is.
Only ¼ mile around, the track is tight and flat but the featured NASCAR modifieds are fast and provide plenty of excitement. The fans are very close to the action. They can feel the heat, see the drivers inside the cars, and they get caught up in the intensity.
But this is nothing new for Bowman-Gray. NASCAR’s very first weekly track, it has been in continuous operation since 1949.
Racing at Bowman-Gray Stadium was started by Bill France Sr. and Alvin Hawkins, two men who were founding fathers of NASCAR itself. It’s the track where Richard Petty won his 100th race. It’s the track where a young Richard Childress fell in love with racing, hawking peanuts in the stands and then later taking the wheel himself.
Some of the drivers racing at Bowman-Gray today have fathers and grandfathers who used to race at Bowman Gray, and fans who come to see the racing action just like their parents and grandparents did so long ago.
