NASCAR’s ties to Bowman Gray Stadium run deep, a bond established over decades.
The first race on the legendary short track in Winston-Salem, N.C., was co-promoted by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., the track played host to its first NASCAR race in 1949 and it was the first NASCAR-sanctioned track to host weekly grassroots racing, something it continues to do to this day.
Bowman Gray’s importance to NASCAR history extends beyond what transpired on the quarter-mile bullring. The track is also where NASCAR’s first family met, with Bill France Jr. being introduced to his future wife, Betty Jane Zachary, in 1957. Betty Jane became an instrumental figure in growing NASCAR into a billion-dollar business empire.
NASCAR’s connection to Bowman Gray is now entering a new chapter. On Thursday, NASCAR will announce it has acquired the lease to manage racing operations at the track effective immediately. The lease runs through December 2050.
“This is a really kind of special moment for us,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing development and strategy. Kennedy is France Sr.’s great-grandson, and the nephew of NASCAR CEO Jim France. He also won a NASCAR East Series race at Bowman Gray in 2013.
“I know it is especially meaningful for Jim seeing that he…
