Carteret County Speedway Owner Bobby Watson Passes Away

SWANSBORO, NC – Bobby Watson, the owner of Carteret County Speedway, a father, and a grandfather, passed away late Thursday evening at the age of 66.

Watson has been on hospice care and was showing signs of health improvement prior to Thursday.  However, on Thursday evening around 7:15pm EST, Watson passed away at his home at the racetrack.

“We are saddened to confirm the death of track owner Bobby Watson,” Carteret County Speedway public relations director Andy Marquis said.  “Bobby was a great man and a great track owner.  The entire racing community will mourn him.”

Watson was a native of North Carolina, born in Durham with a love for stock car racing.  He became the promoter of a go-kart track in Rougemont and also built the Carteret County Speedway kart track in the later part of the 20^th Century while also owning and operating Watson Land Clearing.  In the early 2000s, Watson began to build a new dream, short track racing’s field of dreams.

In 2015, Carteret County Speedway reopened, after nearly a decade of construction, as a pavement short track.  However, it was more than just opening the track Watson dreamed of, it was becoming the premier track.  In 2018, Carteret County Speedway became that premier track, hosting the CARS Tour and two other big Limited Late Model events, generating unrivaled buzz.

Watson became loved by racers and the community around him for his positive attitude, his relentless work ethic and his love for country.  The work was never done at Carteret County Speedway for Watson, and the love of country is easily displayed through the more than 100 American flags that fly on the racetrack’s property.

Bobby Watson is survived by two sons, Bobby Watson, Jr and Cam Watson, grandchildren Carter Watson and Frankie Watson, brothers Ronnie Watson and Larry Watson, and girlfriend Scarlett Scott.

A victory celebration will be held for Bobby on Saturday, October 20^th at Carteret County Speedway beginning at 11:30am.

For more information about Carteret County Speedway, visit the track’s official website at www.carteretspeedway.com, “like” Carteret County Speedway on Facebook or follow @carteretcoswy on Twitter.