You have 1 trip in progress.
See all
Occoneechee Speedway was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open. It closed in 1968 and is the only dirt track remaining from the inaugural 1949 season.
It is located just outside the town of Hillsborough, North Carolina.
The Occoneechee farm occupied the land in the late 19th century. The farm was named after the Occaneechi Indians that lived in the area in the late 17th century and late 18th century. The landowner, Julian S. Carr, raced horses, and built a half mile horse racing track.
Bill France noticed the horse racing track and expanse of open land while piloting his airplane. On the site of the earlier horse track, he built a 0.9 dirt mile track in September, 1947, two months before NASCAR was organized. In its earliest days, Fonty Flock and his brothers Bob and Tim dominated the track. Louise Smith became NASCAR's first female driver at the track in the fall of 1949.
The Occoneechee Speedway hosted stock car racing legends such as Fireball Roberts, Richard Petty, Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson.
The track was renamed Orange Speedway in 1954.
In part due the resistance of the local religious authorities, Bill France, Sr. finally gave up on the Occoneechee Speedway. On September 15, 1968 France shut down the operation after Richard Petty's win. Arrange your visit to Occoneechee Orange Speedway and discover more family-friendly attractions in Hillsborough using our Hillsborough road trip app.
Create a full itinerary - for free!
Occoneechee Orange Speedway reviews
-
Unique site with some interesting NASCAR history; the interpretive signage was very much appreciated. Well used trail.
Unique site with some interesting NASCAR history; the interpretive signage was very much appreciated. Well used trail. more »
-
Neat place to visit and walk the old track. Encountered several walkers getting their exercise in. Fun to see the old cars and flag stand and think about how racing may have been back in the day.
Neat place to visit and walk the old track. Encountered several walkers getting their exercise in. Fun to see the old cars and flag stand and think about how racing may have been back in the day. more »
Plan your trip to Hillsborough
Get a personalized tripA full day by day itinerary based on your preferences Customize itRefine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedules Manage itEverything in one place. Everyone on the same page.Know more
Popular things to do in Hillsborough
Side trips from Hillsborough
Hidden gems in Hillsborough
Trips in Occoneechee Orange Speedway by other users
60 days in Raleigh, Durham & The Triangle
BY A USER FROM AUSTRIA
Wilson
Durham
4 days in Hillsborough
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Old Town Cemetery
Occoneechee Orange Speedway
Ayr Mount Historic Site
42 days in Hillsborough
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Occoneechee Orange Speedway
Gold Park
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
30 days in North Carolina
BY A USER FROM FRANCE
Corolla
Manteo
Raleigh
29 days in United States
BY A USER FROM KUWAIT
Washington DC
Raleigh
Atlanta
22 days in Raleigh
BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Capital Area Greenway
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of History