Topics Related to Moonshine and Motorsports
In a momentous celebration of NASCAR's 75th anniversary season, the highly anticipated 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race is set to make a glorious comeback to the hallowed grounds of North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Stock car racing is an important part of North Carolina's cultural heritage, and the state has produced some of the most successful and iconic drivers in the sport's history.
Sanctioned stock car racing took off with the first race on February 15, 1948, in Daytona Beach. Some say it was born in North Carolina as enterprising mountaineers tried to outrun revenuers (government agents) seeking taxes owed for trading in spirituous drinks, otherwise known as moonshine.
On December 26, 1985, Robert Glen “Junior” Johnson received a full and unconditional pardon from President Ronald Reagan for his 1956 conviction in federal court for moonshining.
On October 5, 1946, Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, notorious moonshiner and cultural icon, was born in Maggie Valley.
On September 18, 1947, Bill France Sr. and four other racing entrepreneurs incorporated the Hillsboro Speedway in Orange County with the aim of bringing auto racing to central North Carolina.
On September 18, 1906, Amos Owens, a notorious moonshiner from Rutherford County, died.
On August 2, 1958, the Saturday Evening Post profiled Percy Flowers of Johnston County, labeling him the “King of the Moonshiners.” Throughout his career, Flowers managed to stay just out of reach of the law and developed a reputation as a local Robin Hood
On June 19, 1949, NASCAR held the first race in its top division at a ¾-mile dirt track at the Charlotte Speedway.