Florida may be the official home of NASCAR, but its roots stretch
further than just the Sunshine State’s soil. From as far north as Chicago,
where Al Capone ran one of the most lucrative “bootlegging” operations during
Prohibition, souped-up cars began gaining traction in the illegal alcohol
trade.
Even Lee Petty,
a North Carolina native and one of the sport’s first heroes, had traversed the backroads of the South with hidden caches of
moonshine and bathtub gin—all while evading the coppers. When Bill France Sr.
headed up NASCAR in the late 40s, the stage had already been set for stock car
racing to develop into the phenomenon it is today.
For fans of the sport, its history may not be a revelation,
but rather a reminder that prohibition wasn’t all that bad. After all, would
America have such fond memories of Daisy Duke and the General Lee if it weren’t
for the decade-plus run where booze-craving ingenuity overshadowed ethical
business practices? We think not.
With Chevy being an official manufacturer of NASCAR engines,
we at Dimmitt Chevrolet thought it prudent to showcase the sport’s upcoming races
that are within driving distance from Clearwater. Plan a trip through those same
backroad-laden states that started Lee Petty’s career, and enjoy one (or all)
of these boisterously electrifying events.
And
if you need a new set of wheels, visit Dimmitt Chevrolet, a top Chevy dealer near Tampa that you
can trust.The Essential NASCAR Road Trip
The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has been roaring for months, and you’re just in time to see its conclusion—in person. With a handful of races within a day’s drive from our Chevy dealership in Clearwater, planning your road trip around each and every one should be no problem at all. You lucky dog, you.
- Ending August’s slew of events in the South is the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. Pack your bags and start your engine early, because with more than 700 miles separating you from the August 20th race, your only rival will be sleep deprivation. In fact, why not take a pit stop in Charlotte, N.C., to get some shut-eye and check out the Hendrick Motorsports shop and museum?
- September’s racing events begin on Sunday the 4th with the Bojangles’ Southern 500 in Darlington, S.C. Established in 1950, just a few years after NASCAR’s (official) origin, the Darlington Raceway is America’s third-oldest speedway and is chock-full of history. Celebrate the 66th anniversary of the raceway’s first event by traveling the 500 miles up and witnessing the green flag being waved.
- Why not transform your expedition to South Carolina into a glorified road trip? On September 10th the Federated Auto Parts 400 race kicks off at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, VA. With just 300 miles between Darlington and Richmond’s raceway, you can enjoy the sights at a leisurely pace before the first lap starts. This race is the final event held before the Round of 16, signaling the beginning of the end of this 2016 season. Don’t miss out.
- By the time the Bank of America 500 rolls around on October 8th, the top 12 points leaders will be announced, and all of them will be mighty thirsty for that celebratory sip of champagne in the winner’s circle. Venture back up north some-600 miles to North Carolina’s Charlotte Motor Speedway to see how the field of racers levels out.
- Your next opportunity for a road trip starts with Talladega’s Alabama 500 afternoon race at TalladegaSuperspeedway on October 23rd, which will round out the final pack of leaders before November’s championship. Prepare yourself for a 600-mile trek northbound on I-75 toward Alabama, and see why the Superspeedway is considered to be one of NASCAR’s most cherished tracks.
- With seven days to spare and just 500 miles between Talladega and the Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, VA, your agenda will be wide open. What’s recommended? Try using roadtrippers.com to plan your weeklong trip. Just keep October 30th free for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500—the final event in the South before the NASCAR champ is crowned.
- On November 20th, the final four points leaders enter the Ford Ecoboost 400 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, FL, with their eyes on the prize; only one will emerge as lucky enough to destroy perfectly good turf with donuts. Will it be Kevin Harvick or Kurt Busch, both of whom lead the current pack with their Chevrolet SS engine-fitted stock cars? Or perhaps the winner has yet to shine. Either way, just 300 miles of highway connect you to the winner’s circle. How cool is that?
Dimmitt Chevrolet – Clearwater’s Choice for Auto Service & Chevy Specials
With all that driving, your car undoubtedly racked up the mileage. If you’ve noticed your car running loose or tight after that road trip of a lifetime, come to Dimmitt Chevrolet for professional auto maintenance and repair. When you choose Dimmitt, you choose one of the most reliable service centers and Chevy dealers near Tampa. We can’t soup your vehicle up to NASCAR quality, but we absolutely can get it back into shape for the long roads to come.
In addition to our superior service center, we also offer
customers incredible Chevy lease specials and high-quality used cars in Clearwater, FL. Call us at 888-867-1203 to schedule a test drive,
learn more about our inventory of new and certified pre-owned Chevy vehicles, or discuss options for auto financing.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/NASCAR
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