Throughout the years, many NASCAR race tracks have been closed for various reasons. One of the most infamous speedways that has been closed - and reopened - and closed again, was North Wilkesboro Speedway. Add this to the list of abandoned race tracks whose photos give us an eerie feeling.

Despite sharing the same birth year as NASCAR itself in 1949, the famous track closed its doors to the public in 1996. It reopened in 2010, only to be closed again one year later. Unfortunately, the Wilkesboro Speedway became one of the many race tracks that were abandoned and forgotten.

Ever since the second closure, it has been deteriorating, with a fateful cloud hanging over the still raceway.

Let's see what the real story behind the Wilkesboro closure...

History

via Motors - NBC Sports

In 1945, Enoch Stanley went to a stock car race in South Carolina. He was inspired by the races and wanted to build a track in his hometown of Wilkes County. Enoch and his business partners purchased a farmland near North Wilkesboro, and began building the oval racetrack.

North Wilkesboro Speedway officially opened its doors in 1947 as a dirt track. In 1949, the North Wilkesboro Speedway held the 8th and final race of the 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock Division.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, North Wilkesboro carried a reputation as one of the fastest short-tracks in auto racing, with cars reaching speeds of 73 miles per hour at the track.

RELATED: The 10 Coolest American Race Tracks Open To The Public (& Where You Can Find Them)

The 1996 Closure

via YouTube

September 29, 1996 is a day that is well remembered by the residents of Wilkes County - and not for a good reason. NASCAR held its final race at the speedway, and Jeff Gordon was the winner.

The entire stadium was sold out, all packed in to see the last race ever held at Wilkesboro. Although everyone scrambled to buy tickets, these same people also held out hope that the race track would come back one day.

Residents, unfortunately, are haunted by the reminder of that fateful day, glancing at the empty speedway as they drive past on US Route 421. They say that: 'Nothing has happened since.'

Residents and locals claim that the speedway would have brought in a lot more corporate sponsors to the area, more business, and more traffic to the extremely small town. This would have created a much larger development for the city.

RELATED: 20 Abandoned Race Tracks NASCAR Wants Us To Forget About

The Comeback

via Wikipedia

In 2010, the Wilkesboro Speedway briefly opened. However, this was just as it sounded, brief. The 'reopening' lasted only a few short months, and created nothing of a revival.

Since then, the track has sat unused and empty. Commissioners know that the track will need millions of dollars in repairs and upgrades, combined with public or private partnership.

People need the speedway to come back, without the popular race track, tourism has declined, the economy has fallen, and the excitement of Wilkesboro is nothing to what it used to be.

Why Did It Close?

via Sporting News

In 1996, the race track was sold to ex-New Hampshire Motor Speedway owner Bob Bahre and Bruton Smith, Motorsports' CEO. It was sold due to its older age and a lack of modern facilities.

The spring date was taken over by Bruton Smith's new Texas Motor Speedway, and the fall reopening date was stolen by the New Hampshire track. The pushing-back of the dates resulted in the track never re-opening and falling by the wayside.

A once-beautiful race track that was the symbol of speed and power has now been reduced to a depressing, deteriorating, and eerie speedway that may never see another car again.

NEXT: 25 Deserted Race Tracks We Would Never Visit At Night