NASCAR was running across America since the 1940s and has hosted events in states from Oregon to Alabama. If you would like to visit one of these trails for soak up the NASCAR atmosphereYou’d normally have to pay hundreds of dollars for a day-of-race ticket, but you can actually explore a historic NASCAR racing venue while enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside.

Peace and quiet aren’t words you usually use to describe a series of races who sees monsters powered by a V8 compete for hundreds of miles, but that’s the best way to describe what’s left of Occoneechee Speedway.

Built in the 1940s, Occoneechee Raceway is the only remaining track that was used during NASCAR’s inaugural season in 1949. Now, instead of hosting race cars every weekend, it hosts walkers and other types of adventurers, the site having been reclaimed by mother nature.

Located just outside the town of Hillsborough, North Carolina, the racetrack closed in 1968 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning you can visit and explore the site at your liking. It is exactly what YouTuber Mobile Instinct did in one of his latest uploads, offering a glimpse of the racing kit that still remains scattered across the 44-acre site.

In one of Mobile Instinct’s latest uploads, host Chris visited Occoneechee Speedway to see what’s left of the 76-year-old race track. While walking a lap of the circuit, he discovered abandoned cars rusting in the forest and even the tower. from where the checkered flag would have been waved to signal the end of the final race in 1968. The grounds also feature old grandstands that would have once welcomed fans of the race and there is even an old concession stand covered in aging Pepsi logos.

In the video, which you can watch for yourself belowChris explained that the track was originally built in the 1800s to host horse races, before the advent of cars brought racers to the site for the first stock car competitions.

Today, the only races you’ll find on site will be sibling sprints. stroll through the 44-acre parkwhich is maintained by the Historic Speedway group. The organization regularly visits the site with volunteers to maintain what remains of the old buildings and stands on site.

It looks like a lovely place for an afternoon adventure and brings together two of my favorite things: empty forests to run in and vintage race cars. Have you ever explored this part of the world, or do you know of another abandoned running track suitable for urban exploration? We’d love to hear about it.

If that didn’t really make you want to explore abandoned places, you can head here to see what it’s like. inside a deserted international airportor here for see inside a ship graveyard on the outskirts of New York.