It is one of stock car racing's most storied venues, and is often referred to as the "World's Most Famous Short Track" and the "Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars".
Gwyn Staley won the first race at the speedway and later became the first track champion.
Tim Flock won the first race at the speedway, which became a regular part of the Grand National schedule.
Hickory was dropped from the NASCAR Grand National schedule after the 1971 season when R. J. Reynolds began sponsoring the newly christened NASCAR Winston Cup Series and dropped all races under 250 mi (400 km) from the schedule.
It remained in use as a popular NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series venue.