Back On Track In North Wilkesboro

It was one of stock car racing's original tracks, hosting NASCAR events from its inception in 1949 until 1996. Racing legends from Junior Johnson to Richard Petty to Dale Earnhardt have won races here. Many long-time NASCAR fans consider it one of the good 'ol tracks from the good 'ol days. Sadly, the historic .625-mile oval has not seen auto racing since Jeff Gordon won the final NASCAR event here on September 29, 1996.

But thirteen years later, racing is making a comeback at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

The announcement came on a rainy Halloween, as about 200 people turned out at the track to hear the announcement that a USA Racing Pro Cup Race (the former Hooters Cup series) will be held here on October 3, 2010.

And that may be just the beginning. Alton McBride Jr, the president of Speedway Associates Inc., says the American Speed Association Late Model Series is bringing its 300-lap Kings Ransom televised finale sometime in November 2010, and the Pro All Star late-model touring series will also make a stop here, although the dates are still to be confirmed. Also in the works are a fair and at least two major festivals.

It marks a happy renaissance for the classic speedway, and the realization of many people's long-awaited dreams of a racing revival at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Home Of The Brave

Today, of course, is Veteran's Day, and we here in North Carolina just want to say "thanks" to all the veterans and their families out there who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms.

This week, VisitNC is saluting NC's military heritage and its soldiers with a brand new journey entitled "Home Of The Brave". Among the offerings is are detailed listings of many of NC's military museums, memorials, and more... as well as an in-depth look at some of the state's premiere military tourism opportunities, such as the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville (above).

From Fort Bragg to Camp Lejuene, from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro to the Coast Guard Air Station in Elizabeth City, North Carolina has a deep connection to all of the men and women who serve on all of its military installations. To all of you veterans out there, Happy Veteran's Day, and thank you for your service.

Parkway's 75th Anniversary Kicks Off This Weekend

The Blue Ridge Parkway, "America's Favorite Drive", turns 75 years old in 2010, and the celebration kicks off this Friday with a ceremonial torch passing from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (which turned 75 in 2009) to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Ravensford Overlook at Milepost 467, near the southern terminus of the road.

The event will also highlight the passage of intergenerational stewardship as well as a performance of the Warriors of AniKituhwa dancers and remarks from both park superintendents and a representative of the Eastern Band of the Cherokees Indians Tribal Council.

Other events marking the anniversary are planned in Asheville this weekend, including a benefit concert featuring Nanci Griffith and a Parkway History Day at the Folk Art Center, which will include a panel discussion, craft and music demonstrations, and even a 75th Anniversary Celebration Hike.

Of course, the celebration will continue throughout 2010 with various events in both North Carolina and Virginia. For more on the anniversary celebration and related events, log onto www.blueridgeparkway75.org.

Pirates Of The Carolinas

Week Eight of Visit NC's Fabulous Fun Fall Getaways is here, and this week the site is focused on North Carolina's pirate history. Parts of the NC coast played host to one of the most notorious 17th Century pirates, Blackbeard, and today visitors can dive on the presumed shipwreck of his flagship Queen Anne's Revenge as well as see remnants and artifacts at the NC Museum of History in Raleigh (until January) and at the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

Meanwhile, the VisitNC site is featuring a video on North Carolina's pirate past and present (above), and those looking for follow Blackbeard's trail on their own can download a Pirate Trail Itinerary. This week's giveaway features three days in a waterfront rental home on the beautiful Emerald Isle, part of the territory that was Blackbeard's turf nearly 300 years ago.

Speaking of giveaways, there's also a new monthly sweepstakes for November, featuring a great winter sports getaway to Boone. Hard to believe it's that time of year already!