One of the greatest mysteries I’ve encountered here in the North Carolina Collection has revolved around this postcard of “Charlotte Speedway:”
Curious about this predecessor to today’s Lowes Motor Speedway, I sleuthed around a bit to learn more about the track. What I found was perplexing: most sources described Charlotte Speedway as a dirt track built near the old airport in 1949, where stock car races were held. And yet, pictured here was an indy race on a wooden track, and the card appeared to be much older than 1949. I kept searching for traces of the speedway, to no avail. It seemed that maybe this indy track had been utterly forgotten here in stock car country.
Months have passed since my initial investigation, but today while browsing the index to “The State” magazine, I spotted this listing: “First Speedway Race Track.” Though I expected this lead would end up yet another reference the 1949 stock car track, I had to give it a shot. When I opened that November 1979 issue, I saw it: an image of a wooden track identical to the one pictured in the postcard.
Sure enough, there was another Charlotte Speedway built in Pineville in 1924, where indy races were held. According to the brief article by Bugs Barringer, the track was made of green pine two by fours, so that the wood would cure and shrink, allowing ventilation between the boards and preventing the tires from burning during races. Apparently a few stock car races were held at the track but, ironically, they attracted too few spectators to be profitable.
An aerial photo from 1938 (about) shows the faint outline of the track just north of Pineville
A 3/4-mile dirt track was built in 1949 just off Little Rock Road (Keeter Drive) south of the Charlotte Douglas Airport. Races were held from 1949 through 1956. These were the first “Strictly Stock” races. I have not yet found a photo, but I have talked with a veteran of the racing there.
Oct. 25, 1924: More than 50,000 people pack the grandstands and infield for the inaugural race at the first Charlotte Speedway. The 250-mile contest features the same drivers who competed in the Indianapolis 500.
The track, a daringly-banked mile oval, is built of two-by-four wooden boards. The cars, one-seat ancestors of modern-day Indy racers, reach speeds of 130 mph. The drivers wear pilot-style caps and goggles.
The speedway is part of a national circuit of board tracks that lifts racing from its dirt-track origins. But the Charlotte Speedway closes in 1927, victim of a dangerously-deterioriating surface — boards pop out and stand upright — and shrinking crowds.
In 1960, some 25 miles to the north, Charlotte Motor Speedway will open, again making Charlotte a racing hub.
– from “On This Day in North Carolina”
Not available electronically, but Charles Chandler of the Charlotte Observer did an extensive piece (circa 1980?) on the wooden speedway.
Both the wooden track north of Pineville, and the dirt track off Wilkinson Blvd. were called “Charlotte Speedway.” There is now an historic marker on Little Rock Road (just south of I-85) that tells about the 1949 speedway. This was the site of the first NASCAR Stock races. I have now talked with several who remember going here, and some who raced here.
The First Speedway was located Where is now Industial Drive ang Rodney Street in Pineville. When Buying a track of land there. I found the old survey of the Speedway. It way really cool to find this out. All the road in the park used to be named after all the car makers of that time.Cadillac Street is still there. I wish I could fined out even more information about this. It was the First Charlotte Moter Speedway. I still have the Survey, I think I will have it framed.
My grandfather was the first President and one of the founders of the originial Charlotte Motor Speedway. His name was C. Lane Etheredge (Caleb was his first name but did not go by it). He and a banker got together and sold shares to raise the money to build this track. My grandfather also owned the Ford Dealership in Charlotte as well as the tri-state battery rights. He was from Batesburg, SC and married the daughter of the vice president of Gulf Oil Corp. Unfortunately, he had a heart attack at the age of 37 (1926) from being gassed during WWI. My father told me that the track was disassembled for the lumber during and after WWII. That is what happened to the track. Should anyone want pictures of Lane Etheredge for publishing purposes about preserving the true racing history of North Carolina, I will be happy to send them one.
Great news! Sunday I found a trove of pictures from the first Charlotte Motor Speedway. Close ups of the racers, Indy officials visiting, full shots of the stands and infield, plus more. I have a pictur of the First Queen of the “Charlotte Bowl” Details in the pictures show the wood track construction, as well as the supporting frame pictured in the post card. I have not gone through all the pics, but luckily, they have all been labeled on the back with the names of the racers, and what the photos are depicting. More than 50 photos in the collection. I am not sure if Mr Etheredge is pictured in them yet… Just wanted to share the good news. Will post some of the pics on my face book.
My grandfather, Carl Ceburn Allison and his my grandmother, Catherine owned the Little Rock property where the first strictly stock race was held. My grandparents have been honored many times. They have both passed away now but we still get invited to events for my Dad, David Allison to recall that first race. My Dad and Humpy Wheeler sold drinks in the stands. My grandmother ran the concessions. There is a monument on the Little Rock property that my family still owns. I would love to see photos if anyone has them from that first race. We are going to a private invitation to the Nascar Hall of Fame opening this coming week. There is suppose to be a display about the first race. I’m very proud of my nascar heritage and my grandparents for being such hard workers.
Message for Jack Crawford: What is your facebook address? My email is eatdatkat@aol.com. I would love to see those track pictures and see if Lane is in any of those photos. Thanks.
Hi…
Im a Swedish NASCAR author and photographer that have read your mails
to eachother. I would very much like to have the pictures and a little of your story of the “old Charlotte track from 1924.
And we a serious about NASCAR here in Sweden. For the last Coca Cola 600 15 of us went over to see the race… + our Mattias Ekström took over
Brian Vickers car for the Infinion race in California last weekend.
Anyone that helps me in this story with pictures etc. Will ofcourse be mentioned in our magazine TURN LEFT. + Have a copy of the same mailed to your addres in the states. THANKS… Christian Ekstedt – TURN LEFT MAGAZINE
i think its fascinating that such a large structure existed there and theres no reference to it.. to the fellow named mike brown who posted.. did you put that survey online or anywhere else it could be seen? has anyone done a comilation of all info about it that someone could see?
thanks Bill x86563y@yahoo.com
ps alot of history at old pineville ballpark
http://www.cameronyards.com / history
I did an in depth story on the Charlotte Speedway for Die-cast Digest magazine a few years age. I still have it somewhere in my computer if anybody would like a copy of it. Contact me at raceintohistory@charter.net. Mention in the subject when you send it who you are/what you are writing for because if I don’t know you, I won’t open the e-mail. Sorry.
I have the original flags from the old Charlotte speedway ( 4 flags Green,Red,Yellow and checker) also have pictures showing the flags and flagman autos in pictures have 1924 n.c. tags. Have other pictures and paper work. We got these 10 years ago from a lady that said her husband was the flagman. I am getting older and thought about selling these items for grand kids collage. Very rare. I was at the first race at CMS and have been a fan since. Thank You
My mother has a food truck that was built for and used at the CMS in the early 70′s. The truck came from Bob London. I think the chassis is a 69. We have not used it in many years, but it is complete. I would like to be able confirm the story with a picture of the truck at the speedway. we have considered bringing it out of retirement.