North Carolina
Nine new stops added to Moonshine and Motorsports Trail in North Carolina, Iredell Free News
Special to Iredell Free News
RALEIGH — Following a triumphant first year, the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail in North Carolina is expanding.
The Moonshine and Motorsports Trail, conceived in the 2021 state budget and launched in 2023 by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), is adding nine new sites that will highlight the state’s unique, intertwined history of distilling and stock car racing.
“The Moonshine and Motorsports Trail’s goals are to increase economic development across the state, to honor North Carolina’s leadership and innovation in these fields, and to help rural communities thrive,” said DNCR Secretary Reid Wilson. “Locations on the trail span the entire state and include diverse and authentic stories about racing, distilling, prohibition, rural life, agriculture, and recreation.”
The newly added sites enrich the trail’s narrative by delving deeper into the diverse aspects of North Carolina’s moonshine and motorsports legacy.
• Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem: Built in 1937 as a public works project, this 1/4-mile oval has been referred to as “NASCAR’s Longest-Running Weekly Race Track,” a testament to the sport’s enduring legacy.
• Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza, Kannapolis: This plaza in downtown Kannapolis commemorates the NASCAR legend’s life and career with a striking 9-foot, 900-pound bronze statue of Earnhardt, a seven-time NASCAR champion.
• Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mill: Once a sanctuary for moonshiners, the Great Dismal Swamp near Elizabeth City, hid large-scale illicit distilling operations during Prohibition that were nestled in the natural beauty of the region.
• Johnston County Heritage Center and Johnston County Museum, Smithfield: Uncover the saga of Percy Flowers, dubbed the “King of the Moonshiners,” in a 1958 Saturday Evening Post profile and explore his influence in the region, intersecting with the area’s agricultural history.
• Mountain Gateway and Heritage Center, Old Fort: Housing a moonshine still, the museum spotlights Southern Appalachian heritage, culture and the history of western North Carolina.
• Museum of Ashe County History, Jefferson: Featuring the “Moonshine and Music,” exhibit, this museum showcases the fusion of Appalachian music culture with the region’s moonshine history.
• NC Transportation Museum, Spencer: Featuring the “Bumper To Bumper” exhibit, this museum displays vintage and antique cars alongside a Highway Patrol car from 1935 and other automotive treasures.
• North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro: Home to Purgatory Trail at Purgatory Mountain, a well-known hideout for bootleggers in Randolph County and about 20 miles from Level Cross, the base of the Petty Family racing dynasty.
• Orange County Speedway, Rougemont: Known as “the fastest 3/8-mile race track in America,” the high-banked oval has hosted some of the most famous names in stock car racing, including Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and many more.
These additional sites enhance the trail’s offerings and provide visitors with a diverse array of experiences that celebrate North Carolina’s unique history. The Moonshine and Motorsports Trail invites visitors to embark on a journey through time, exploring the stories, traditions, and legacies that have shaped the state’s cultural landscape.
LEARN MORE
For more information and updates on the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail, please visit ncmmtrail.com.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
-
New Hampshire4 minutes ago
NH Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for April 19, 2026
-
New Jersey10 minutes ago
NJ Lottery Pick-3, Pick-4, Cash 5, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for Sunday, April 19
-
New Mexico16 minutes agoLos Alamos Public Schools Students Compete At 2026 New Mexico State Science & Engineering Fair
-
North Carolina22 minutes ago
NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for April 19, 2026
-
North Dakota28 minutes agoWindy conditions fuel shop fire in rural Mapleton
-
Ohio34 minutes agoWanda Lou Bailey, Louisville, Ohio
-
Oklahoma40 minutes agoCord Rager’s Return, Consistent Hitting Earns Oklahoma First SEC Sweep of Missouri
-
Oregon46 minutes agoSmall Oregon town residents’ trust shaken as state sues disaster nonprofit founder