After several months of being on the market, IHRA-sanctioned Piedmont Dragway has officially been sold. The new owners, Jim Turner and Bob Harris, are actually both former owners of the central North Carolina facility. Turner, a retired educator and coach, grew up near the drag strip that was built in 1957, and visited the facility often during his teenage years. Turner later bought the facility in 1982, owning it until 2001.

Most of the modernization of Piedmont Dragway happened during Turner's first tenure as owner.  Joining Turner for a second term of joint-ownership is racer and business man Bob Harris, who first partnered with Turner in 1995, later buying the track outright in 2001. Harris brings years of drag racing passion to the table, and with it, the steadfast desire to improve an already quality facility. In the very near future plans call for resurfacing the track and adding a more modern fuel station.  

As for the legendary Thursday night Big Dog show - which was born under Turner and Harris' first term as owners - fans can expect some changes that both men feel will enhance the program and add greater fan appeal.

"For starters, we've got to wrap things up even earlier on Thursday night," said Turner. "People have to work the next day, and it's also about being respectful to our neighbors."

Piedmont's famous Thursday night heads-up show already seemingly defies the odds of time-constraint efficiency, but Turner maintains his desire to put on a first-class show that concludes around 10:00pm.
As for the show itself, Harris brings new ideas to the Big Dog table. A move to eliminate test and tune street cars on Big Dog night is likely to be put in place. "We'd like to continue with the fast car theme on Big Dog night," said Harris.

Realizing the amount of fast cars in the area, Harris expressed his desire to give these competitors a place to race on Big Dog night. "While the Big Dog cars are being serviced between rounds, it would be a perfect time for the fans to see a five-second shootout, and other fast cars and dragsters go down the track" said Harris. Talk is also already underway for an end-of-the-year North vs. South mega race at the last Big Dog event of 2009.  

Owned by Mike McCandless since the summer of 2007, Piedmont Dragway was the hands-on operation of brothers Mike and Herb McCandless Jr. From announcing in the tower to filming the action, the brothers were weekly fixtures at the facility. Citing a desire to spend more time with family, as well as tend to other business ventures, Mike McCandless made known his desire to sell the track a few months ago. "This track represents so much more than just a place to race for so many people, and I didn't want to sell it to just anyone," he said.

After passing up several offers, McCandless had a good feeling when he met Turner for lunch on several occasions, soon reaching an agreement that was practical for all involved. With a standing offer of his continued service in the future, Mike McCandless officially turned over ownership to Turner and Harris.
"I want to thank Mike and Herb for the great job they did with this track, and I look forward to continue presenting the McCandless Performance Mopar Day at Piedmont," said Turner.

 

Piedmont Dragway officially closes out the 2008 race season this weekend with GrudgeFest on Saturday, followed by test and tune on Sunday. For more information about Piedmont Dragway, please visit: www.piedmontdragway.com