Ep 7. Carolina Speedways

The seventh episode of Abandoned's first season takes a deep dive into the history of the Carolina Speedways, a once-bustling race track in coastal South Carolina that has fallen into disrepair and abandonment over the years. Host and filmmaker Rick McCrank meets up with local racing enthusiasts, former drivers, and historians to learn about the track's rise to prominence in the mid-20th century and its eventual decline.

McCrank begins his exploration by walking around the now-empty track, taking in the dilapidated grandstands and rusted-out remnants of race cars. He soon meets up with a group of older men who used to race at the Carolina Speedways in its heyday. They reminisce about the adrenaline rush of taking to the track, with one man even saying that it was the "best feeling in the world." They also share stories about the track's most memorable races and the characters who raced there, from the legendary "Little Joe" Weatherly to the scrappy racers who made names for themselves.

Next, McCrank visits the small museum dedicated to the Carolina Speedways, where he speaks with a historian about the history of the track. He learns that the Carolina Speedways was founded in the 1950s by a group of local racing enthusiasts who wanted a place to race their cars. It quickly grew in popularity, thanks in part to the NASCAR-sanctioned races that took place there. The track hosted a number of big-name races and even appeared in a few movies and television shows over the years.

However, as the decades wore on, the Carolina Speedways began to fall into decline. Attendance dwindled, and the track's owners struggled to keep it up to standards. Finally, in the early 2000s, the track closed for good. McCrank talks with the historian about the reasons for the track's decline, which include changing tastes among racing fans and a lack of investment in the track itself.

Finally, McCrank meets up with a group of volunteers who are working to restore the Carolina Speedways to some of its former glory. They show him some of the work that they've done on the track so far, including repairing parts of the grandstands and clearing away debris. They also talk about their hopes for the future of the track, which they hope to turn into a cultural and historical landmark for the area.

Throughout the episode, McCrank reflects on the powerful sense of nostalgia that pervades the Carolina Speedways. He notes that the people he meets are deeply invested in preserving the memory of the track, even as it crumbles away. He also thinks about the broader cultural importance of the Carolina Speedways and other abandoned landmarks, wondering what we lose as a society when we allow these places to fall into disrepair.

Overall, the seventh episode of Abandoned's first season is a poignant look at a once-thriving race track and the people who have been shaped by it. Through interviews, archival footage, and on-the-ground exploration, Rick McCrank provides a moving tribute to the Carolina Speedways and the culture of racing that it represents.