SWANSBORO, NC — It took Bobby Watson over a decade to build his field of dreams but he made it happen through perseverance and willpower. Now, Watson finds himself in a new fight, one that’s even more important.
During the fall of 2015, shortly after the opening race, Watson was diagnosed with throat cancer and has since started chemotherapy treatments. Despite the illness, Watson is soldering on and plans to hold races in 2016.
The 63-year-old has only one request — a prayer request.
“Everything I have done was for the racers,” Watson remarked. “All I’m asking for right now is their prayers. I need their prayers.”
Watson doesn’t plan to let cancer beat him. However, when you talk to him, it’s all about the track. For several weeks, Watson has put the needs of his racetrack and the needs of his employees before him.
Watson is no stranger to adversity. It took him over 10 years to build his dream racetrack, but he persevered. And he says he will persevere again.
“I’m not gonna let this beat me,” Watson proclaims.
Carteret County Speedway was once a Kart racing track, which is where Watson has spent much of his life. In September 2015, the former Kart track hosted Late Model racing for the first time ever in a race won by Goldsboro, North Carolina’s Clay Jones.
Carteret County Speedway, which is located just a few miles from the beach at Emerald Isle, North Carolina, was dubbed a “Field of Dreams” and that’s exactly what it is. The track is a racetrack, a restaurant and a racing museum all rolled into one.
The green flag is scheduled to fly on the 2016 season at Carteret on Saturday, April 2nd, although, the schedule is not set in stone. The track is entertaining the idea of possibly moving their races to Sundays so they won’t have any conflicts with Southern National Motorsports Park or East Carolina Motor Speedway.
