Metrolina Speedway

Metrolina Speedway - Charlotte NC.

Built in the mid 1960s and located at the Metrolina Fairgrounds in NE Charlotte, Metrolina operated as Speedworld and was known as the Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway also. The 1/2 mile banked clay track ran mostly on Friday nights. The track was paved briefly in the 70s and ran NASCAR sponsored races promoted by Ned Jarrett. Unfortunately even with drivers such as Jack Ingram, Harry Gant, Butch Lindley and Dale Earnhardt competing there, they couldn't draw enough fans to stay open. The track was returned to dirt and continued operating until the mid 1990s with some breaks. During the time it was paved Dale won his first asphalt race there. And before his break into Winston Cup in 79 he was racing at Metrolina. At the time Metrolina ran "Run Whatcha Brung" races where anything was legal. Nitrous oxide, spoilers, etc. were all common and there were some great races.

	The control tower is visible in the background. I think #22 was Larry Wallace, a local hotshoe that worked days at Holman-Moody in Charlotte.
	Pit road, the concession stand and tower in the infield is visible on the right. Plus a rare Ford late model sportsmen car.
	One more shot from Metrolina.
	From about 1998, Jason Hilton and his late model
	Here is an aerial shot of the track.

Metrolina hosted the World of Outlaws first races in the Carolinas and other sprint car series made stops there until the mid 90s. Car races stopped about the same time and a motocross track was built on the front stretch and infield. Races were held for a few years. The remains were supposed to be razed in 2002 for expansion of the Metrolina Expo center.

UPDATE: I am hearing the the track may not be razed and there may be efforts to reopen it. If you have information on this, let me know. UPDATE 2: According to the track website (www.metrolinaspeedway.com), the track will reopen in 2005.

If you have dirt track memories to share, contact me @ bob@webprosolutions.com

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