Its first major event was a 200-mile (320 km) AAA sanctioned IndyCar race held on July 4, 1952.
When the Daytona International Speedway opened, the July 4 Grand National event moved to that track.
Shortly thereafter, the Raleigh Speedway closed due to noise complaints from residents of nearby neighborhoods.
Drivers Bill Blevins (Ford) and Jesse Midkiff (Burlington, North Carolina) were killed during the start of a combined Modified and Sportsman race.
He got a start from a push truck, but stalled and came to a stop in the racing line at the exit of turn two on the backstretch — perhaps under the mistaken assumption that he would get another push-start.
Blevin's dark maroon car went unnoticed by race officials as the green flag waved.
It took about 1 hour and 20 minutes to clear the track, after which the race was shortened to 170 miles (270 km) and won by Buddy Shuman.