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“Pappy’s Corn Squeezin’” and NASCAR

So, after reading Money CJ’s Dee-luxe report on Iowa Corn IRL predictions and ruminations, I can only try to elevate the automotive conversation with a high-class discussion of white lightnin’ and racin’.

Photo: Piedmont Distillers, Inc.

One of the highlights of my recent research trip to North Carolina for Automotive Traveler was a visit to NASCAR’s moonshine roots in the modest but growing Wilkes Heritage Museum in Wilkesboro, NC.

I enjoyed seeing Junior Johnson’s first racing car, and other museum items like a vintage 1950s still and some of the original seats from North Wilkesboro Speedway (long closed up, weedy and for sale.)

Here’s a taste from my article, due to publish in July:

“I learned that you never sampled your product on the job, because it was critical to stay alert unless you wanted the revenuers to snag your goodies. A typical run in these parts was to specially pack a car with about 22 cases, maybe using a ‘34 or ‘40 Ford to haul the likker out of the woods and then a ‘58 Chrysler or ‘59 Dodge to get it to the buyers. At over $100 per run, and more than one run a night, “