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A sound that hasn't been heard in around decade rang out at North Wilkesboro Speedway; a stockcar turning laps.
Four instructional drivers from the Buck Baker Racing School were testing the historic track in hopes of expanding their services to Wilkesboro.
The owner of Buck Baker Racing School, Jeff Bowyer, said although the track, which was closed in 1996, may not be the prettiest the racing surface isn’t bad.
Bowyer said, “I believe we will have the racing school here. The track is not in that bad of condition. It looks a little ugly because there’s no paint on the walls, [but] as for the track surface itself, I’ve raced on worse. The cracks aren’t big enough to worry about. Nothing’s coming up out of the track, and that’s what we were worried about; chunks coming out of the track. Right now, we see nothing like that.”
Charles Collins, who is leasing the track for three months from Bruton Smith, said he is hoping to get the cracks in the track patched and paint the walls.
A reality television show is also in the works to be shot at the track. The program will be called “Women, So You Think You Can Race?” and Collins said he hopes to begin shooting next month.
Collins also said he hopes to hold a late model race at the track before the end of the summer.
As far as the Buck Baker Racing School, Bowyer said former students who have driven at other tracks have already showed great interest in driving at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bowyer said if enough interest is shown, the track is in such good condition that they could hold a racing school session as early as next week.
More information about the Buck Baker Racing School can be found online at www.BuckBaker.com.
(Photos courtesy of Eric Herman)
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