Piedmont Racing Expo Jump Starts 2012 Short Track Racing

Raleigh, NC:  For the 26th year, short track racers and fans from all over the southeast will converge in Raleigh for the 2012 version of the Piedmont Racing Expo. Promoter Phillip Walker and the Piedmont Racing Expo won the 2011 North Carolina Motorsports Association’s Industry Award at the Annual NCMA Banquet in Concord.

The two-day event features a short track trade show with racing parts distributors, chassis builders, area speedways, and racing series showcasing their wares for the 2012 season.  As always, there will be a racing auction where racers can buy and sell used racing parts, cars, trailers and accessories.  Also featured is the Second Annual Raleigh Fairgrounds Racers Reunion held on Saturday January 14 from 10am-2pm.  Legendary drivers from the Fairgrounds era of racing will be on hand for autographs and photos.

Legendary Racers from the 1950s – 1970s will be returning for the 26^th Annual Piedmont Racing Expo and the Second Annual Raleigh Fairgrounds RacersReunion!   The Expo will be held on Friday and Saturday, January 13-14, 2012 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC.  The RacersReunion will be held in conjunction with the Expo on Saturday, January 14.  Former NASCAR Grand National Drivers along with Late Model drivers will be on hand for autographs, photos, and to tell stories about their racing adventures at the famous clay oval located on the fairgrounds property.  Last January, former Grand National drivers Gene Hobby from Apex, and Hank Thomas of Winston Salem served as Grand Marshals for the inaugural event.

The Fairgrounds Speedway was a half mile dirt oval where  NASCAR Grand National (Now Sprint Cup) and Grand American races were held from 1955 until 1970.  Junior Johnson won the first race there and Richard Petty won the last one.  Racing continued at the track after 1970 featuring latemodel hotshoes from several states until the late 1970’s.

The Piedmont Racing Expo is open from 1-9pm on Friday, January 13, and from 8am-5pm on Saturday, January 14.  Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12-15 and ladies and kids under 12 free. For more info, see www.piedmontracingexpo.com.