Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, former raceway
The Asheville-Weaverville Speedway was a racing track in North Carolina that opened in 1950 and operated until 1969. The track was originally a half-mile dirt oval with steep banked turns, but was paved with asphalt in 1957.
Gene Sluder built the speedway in 1950 on his land near Weaverville after NASCAR co-founder Bill France suggested the racing track concept. The venue played an important role in early NASCAR history, hosting 34 Grand National and Winston Cup races between 1951 and 1969.
The name reflects the two nearby towns Asheville and Weaverville between which the track was located. Racing events served as community gathering points where people came together to cheer for favorite drivers and share the excitement of competition.
The original speedway site is now under North Buncombe High School and its athletic facilities. Old racing lights remain as reminders of the past, though barriers have been installed to prevent racing from resuming.
In 1956, the track witnessed an event called 'The Great Pile-Up' in which thick dust from the unpaved surface caused so many cars to crash that several drivers jumped from their vehicles and fled the track on foot. This incident became a major reason for the decision to pave the track with asphalt in 1957.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
