WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.– NASCAR is going back to its roots at the Bowman Gray Arena. Could there be a NASCAR nationwide series in the arena’s future?

Bowman Gray Stadium, likewise referred to as the Madhouse, is a crucial area in NASCAR’s history, holding the very first weekly races with NASCAR going back to 1949.

” It’s simply been an excellent source of, you understand, Saturday night enjoyment however likewise simply quality household home entertainment,” stated Ben Rowe, assistant city supervisor of Winston-Salem.

NASCAR on Thursday announced it got Winston-Salem Speedway Inc. and will assist handle the track together with the city of Winston-Salem under a lease through 2050.

” The city is extremely delighted about the brand-new collaboration with NASCAR and the reality that NASCAR is going to continue that custom with the weekly racing series for ideally years to come,” Rowe stated. “So we’re simply extremely, extremely delighted about the chances that this collaboration will bring.”

The track holds 75 years of history, consisting of NFL exhibits, horse races, Richard Petty’s 100th Cup Series success and ties to the starting households of NASCAR, consisting of the France and Hawkins households.

” The reality that it’s sort of coming cycle, that you had the founding households back in the ’40s that brought NASCAR here. And after that those households now have actually returned together to go into in this brand-new period,” Rowe stated.

The quarter-mile track integrated in 1937 has actually been holding occasions consisting of races, beast truck programs and demolition derbies. However it’s not the only brief track in the state that has actually reconnected to its NASCAR roots in current times.

North Wilkesboro Speedway waved its flags for NASCAR in 2015 for the very first time considering that 1996.

We’re constantly aiming to to increase our travel and tourist company, you understand, hotel nights, individuals visiting our dining establishments and our regional shops and our small companies,” Rowe stated. “Therefore I believe that anything that would assist bring that activity to Winston-Salem is absolutely something that’s extremely amazing to us.”

Loren Pinilis, the arena’s public relations director, stated he is not stunned NASCAR wished to return and is delighted for what’s to come.

” It simply demonstrates how fantastic an excellent arena is and what the who’s who of NASCAR, what they have actually understood for years is, is that Bowman Gray Arena is an excellent arena, is the crown gem of their weekly racing program. Which’s what everybody’s pertained to acknowledge now when one terrific arena currently has a nationwide platform. Which’s simply going to be even bigger now with this brand-new collaboration,” Pinilis stated.

Bowman Gray Arena isn’t the only track in North Carolina that has actually reconnected to its NASCAR history. (Courtesy/Bowman Gray Racing)

NASCAR has had an interest in a homecoming with Bowman Gray Arena for many years.

” It’s actually crucial for NASCAR to stay dedicated to the brief track neighborhood. And what much better location to begin or to highlight that dedication than Bowman Gray and the Winston-Salem neighborhood?” stated Joey Dennewitz, NASCAR’s local handling director.

In the last few years, the arena got a $9 million remodelling through the city, consisting of brand-new concession stands, restrooms and a repaved track.

” Our task is to secure that magic that the Hawkins household has actually done such a fantastic task curating for many years. We wish to be excellent stewards of that, which’s our objective,” Dennewitz stated. “Now, we can include some things occasionally, center upgrades and things progressing in the future. However once again, most of the magic there is what makes that location so unique.”

Could there be a NASCAR series race at Bowman Gray Arena? Dennewitz states he can envision it.

” Well, anything is possible with the NASCAR nationwide series. Now you can see in between Chicago and L.A. and a few of the other markets that we have actually entered into, that the Cup series is nearly able to go anywhere, which actually opens chances to permeate a brand-new fanbase,” he stated. “That being stated, Bowman Gray would absolutely fall under that.”

” Those conversations are definitely had, however they’re throughout 100 racetracks throughout the nation,” Dennewitz stated. “So we’re constantly taking a look at methods to innovate that schedule and see how we can bring NASCAR racing to various neighborhoods.”

Fans might need to wait to see what modifications happen at the track, however Pinilis stated it will still be the Madhouse.

” With any sort of modification, they’re [fans] questioning what’s going to alter. And the response is this is the Madhouse. It will be the Madhouse for years to come. Absolutely nothing’s going to alter there,” Pinilis stated. “The exact same terrific racing that individuals have actually pertained to anticipate, the exact same household friendly home entertainment, the exact same low ticket rates. Whatever that makes the Madhouse terrific is going to continue for years and years to come.”

Bowman Gray Stadium begins its 2024 season on April 20 with the Hayes Jewelers 200. The season goes through August, and the arena will go back to acting as Winston-Salem State University‘s football field in fall.