Sinkhole Unearths Possible Moonshine Cave at Historic NASCAR Race Track
A significant discovery was made at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina recently when a 700-square-foot sinkhole opened up under the stands. The sinkhole was found during routine cleaning and inspection of the stands when workers noticed cracks in the original concrete, leading to the removal of several seats. To their surprise, they not only discovered the large sinkhole but also what appears to be a mysterious cave. This discovery has sparked excitement among locals who have long believed in the existence of a hidden moonshine facility beneath the speedway.
NASCAR’s roots trace back to the era of Prohibition when illegal racers needed to modify their cars to outrun the law, eventually leading to organized races. The North Wilkesboro Speedway has long been rumored to house a secret moonshine operation dating back to those bootlegging days. Steve Swift, senior vice president of operations for Speedway Motorsports, stated, “When we began renovating and restoring North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2022, we often heard stories of how an old moonshine still operated here on the property below the grandstands. Well, we haven’t found a still (yet), but we have found a small cave and an interior wall that would have been the perfect place not only to produce illegal liquor but also to hide from the law.”
The discovery of a possible moonshine cave beneath a racetrack built in 1947 raises questions about the timeline and operation of the illicit distillery. Moonshine production persisted even after Prohibition was repealed in 1933, particularly in regions like Appalachia and the North Carolina foothills, where the North Wilkesboro Speedway is located. With more than 600 seats already removed and ongoing efforts to investigate the area beneath the stands, there is a race against time to uncover any remnants of the moonshine days before repairs are made.
The Speedway is set to host NASCAR All-Star Racing Week in May, adding urgency to the exploration of the sinkhole and possible cave. While the focus is on repairs, there is growing curiosity about what else may lie hidden beneath the surface. The idea of preserving any moonshine artifacts as a part of the speedway’s history or potentially transforming the cave into a visitor attraction has been floated as a possibility.
As workers continue to uncover more about the sinkhole and the suspected cave, the NASCAR community eagerly awaits updates on what could be a remarkable piece of racing history. The excitement surrounding the discovery has generated interest not only among local residents but also racing enthusiasts nationwide. The unearthing of a potential moonshine cave at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway adds another layer of intrigue to an already storied racing venue.
If you have any tips or information related to this discovery, you can send them to tips@thedrive.com. Stay tuned for further developments as the investigation into the sinkhole and possible moonshine cave continues at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
