As Bill France Sr. began the daunting task of building the foundation of NASCAR, Alvin Hawkins was there as a foremost advisor.
Hawkins, NASCAR’s first flagman, attended the momentous 1947 meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida, that signaled the start of what would become the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
Later, France and Hawkins established NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium.
The Hawkins family continues to operate the quarter-mile track, one that is an institution in the sport and a crown jewel for short track racers throughout the country.
In 2015, Bowman Gray Stadium celebrated its 1,000th NASCAR race.
Through the years, the Stadium has hosted a variety of NASCAR series, including the Cup Series from 1958-71. Its Cup Series winners list includes NASCAR Hall of Famers Lee Petty, Rex White, Glen Wood, Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, David Pearson and Bobby Allison.
