Point of Interest
Occoneechee Speedway Trail
320 Elizabeth Brady Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Step back in time at the Occoneechee Speedway Trail, the sole survivor of NASCAR's original 1949 dirt tracks, in Hillsborough. This 44-acre National Register of Historic Places site — once the roaring Occoneechee/Orange Speedway (1948-1968) and one of only three racetracks on the National Register — echoes with the thunder of legends like Fireball Roberts and Richard Petty.
Today, 4 miles of trails wind through the now-forested grounds along the Eno River, where grandstands still whisper tales of racing's early days. What began as a half-mile horse track evolved into a NASCAR landmark, one of the first two to open, and now lives as a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural history. Maintained by dedicated volunteers, this site offers hikers and joggers a tangible link to NASCAR's thrilling beginnings.
