Bowman Gray Stadium

Bowman Gray Stadium, also known as “The Madhouse,” is a historic NASCAR-sanctioned quarter-mile asphalt short track and multi-purpose facility located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Racing began at the stadium in 1949, and it has since been a staple in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. The stadium hosts weekly races throughout the summer, featuring a variety of events including Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, and Stadium Stocks.

HISTORY 

Bowman Gray Stadium, a historic motor racing and football venue located at 1250 S Martin Luther King Jr Drive in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has a storied history that dates back to its inception in 1937. Constructed as a public works project during the Great Depression, the stadium emerged from the collective effort to bolster community spirit and provide entertainment during a challenging economic period.

The stadium officially opened in 1938, hosting its inaugural event, a football game between Wake Forest College and Duke University. This marked the beginning of the stadium’s dual legacy in sports—serving both as a hub for college football and a bastion for motorsports. Originally a dirt track designed for midget car racing,

In 1947, in an effort to accommodate more diverse and high-speed racing events, the dirt track was paved. This transformation coincided with the rise of stock car racing, a form of motorsport that was gaining immense popularity in the post-war United States. Recognizing the potential of Bowman Gray Stadium, Bill France Sr. and Alvin Hawkins, two of the founding fathers of NASCAR, brought stock car racing to the venue. The partnership with NASCAR began auspiciously with the track’s first NASCAR-sanctioned event on May 18, 1949, won by Fonty Flock, heralding a new era for the stadium.

Over the decades, Bowman Gray Stadium solidified its reputation as “The Madhouse,” a nickname that reflects the intense and often unpredictable racing action characteristic of the quarter-mile track.

In 2018, it was announced that Bowman Gray Stadium would undergo a significant renovation, valued at $9 million, aimed at enhancing the facility while preserving its historic charm.

Today, the stadium is owned by the City of Winston-Salem and operated under the banner of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR). 

TRACK INFORMATION 

Bowman Gray Stadium is home to a 1/4 mile flat oval asphalt track that presents a unique challenge due to its lack of banking, with turns at 0 degrees inclination that require precise driving skills. This distinctive feature, coupled with the track’s relatively short length, often leads to thrilling, action-packed races that are synonymous with the venue’s nickname, “The Madhouse.” 

The track holds a record lap time of 12.965 seconds, set by Tim Brown in 2016 while competing in the Modified Division. With seating capacity for 17,000 spectators and additional standing room for 2,000 around the wall above the seating areas, the stadium can host large crowds, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere during race events. 

Weekly races regularly attract between 12,000 and 15,000 fans, and attendance can surge to over 23,000 for major events, often leading to standing-room-only situations. This robust spectator engagement underscores Bowman Gray Stadium’s status as a pivotal venue in American grassroots motorsports, celebrated for its intense competitions and fervent fan base.