The Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour is set to embark on a new era, as the highly-regarded Old North State Nationals event is slated to take place at its fourth venue. The Memorial Day weekend of 2023 will witness the competition at Tri-County Motor Speedway, with sponsorship from Grand Atlantic Resort. Anticipated to be a thrilling showdown, both on and off the track, top Late Model Stock contenders from the Southeast will vie for a grand prize of $30,000 amidst a spectacular fireworks display.
According to Jack McNelly, the founder of CARS Tour, Tri-County Speedway in Granite Falls, North Carolina, is an ideal location for the Grand Atlantic Resort Old North State Nationals. He is confident that fans and spectators will enjoy another exceptional event, contributing to the growing legacy of the competition.
McNelly believes that Tri-County Speedway is an excellent choice for the race, given its track record of offering top-notch competition, plentiful seating, and trackside parking facilities. He is convinced that these factors are critical to the success of the event. McNelly believes that the race needs to be moved around, and he wanted to give Tri-County Speedway an opportunity to host the event.
With the exception of 2019 and 2020, Tri-County Speedway has been a fixture on the CARS Tour schedule since its inception. Past series champions, including Josh Berry and Bobby McCarty, have triumphed at the track.
Over the years, Tri-County has undergone significant transformations, including a complete renovation of all four turns. Despite these changes, Tri-County continues to be a beloved track among everyone involved in the CARS Tour. The Grand Atlantic Resort Old North State Nationals, scheduled for May 27, is anticipated to be one of the most prominent races in the facility’s more than five-decade history.
In addition to the Late Model Stock and Pro Late Model races, the Grand Atlantic Resort Old North State Nationals program also includes a 75-lap Street Stock feature on May 26, with a $2,000 prize for the race winner. Those interested in entering the Street Stock race can contact Nate ‘Boo’ Carlisle for more information.
While additional details regarding the weekend’s festivities are still being finalized, Jack McNelly intends to provide a comprehensive celebration of Memorial Day that will entertain fans before, during, and after the race.
Keeley Dubensky, the CARS Tour Director of Operations, believes that holding the Grand Atlantic Resort Old North State Nationals on Memorial Day weekend provides a unique opportunity for the CARS Tour to attract visitors attending the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. She believes that the event highlights all the best features of short track racing in the Southeast and is confident that the race will be a big hit, given Tri-County’s loyal fan base and the large trackside area. Dubensky believes that those traveling to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 can experience one of the best short track events on the CARS Tour schedule.
As the Grand Atlantic Resort Old North State Nationals enters its fifth year, both McNelly and Dubensky believe that the event’s future is brighter than ever.
Over the years, the annual race has faced several challenges, including inclement weather at Caraway Speedway last year and a temporary move to Greenville-Pickens Speedway in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacles, the race has garnered substantial support.
McNelly expects a fantastic turnout for both CARS Tour divisions at Tri-County. He is particularly excited about the close, thrilling racing that has been a hallmark of the series since its first visit to the facility in 2015.
McNelly praised the track at Tri-County for its phenomenal racing, saying that drivers have no issues running side by side or three abreast there, which is not possible at many other tracks. He described Tri-County as a competitive and excellent track.
The on-track events for the Grand Atlantic Resort Old North State Nationals at Tri-County Speedway on May 27 will feature a 100-lap race for the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, followed by a 200-lap Late Model Stock feature with a $30,000 purse. Further details will be disclosed in the upcoming weeks.