Which NASCAR drivers ran moonshine?

Carl D. “Lightening” Lloyd Seay, was born in Georgia on December 14, 1919, just more than a month before Prohibition started. As a teenager in the post-Prohibition 1930s, he used fast cars to run (untaxed) illegal moonshine from stills on backcountry roads in Georgia. Seay started racing stock cars at age 19.

Who was the best moonshine runner?

Of course, we wouldn't be talking moonshine without the man, the myth, the legend, Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton. The most recognized modern moonshiner, good old hillbilly Popcorn Sutton was born in Maggie Valley, North Carolina in 1949.

What NASCAR driver got kicked out for drugs?

Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's drug problems are still controlling his life. He was arrested Tuesday night on charges of possession of methamphetamine, which is the same drug that he tested positive for on two separate occasions in 2009 and led to his departure from NASCAR.

Why is NASCAR connected to moonshine?

The answer is simple: In the first decade or so of NASCAR racing, the transportation of illegal liquor in the South was huge business, and a lot of the sport's early stars drove, owned or built moonshine cars. Johnson was the best-known bootlegger in Wilkes County, North Carolina, a hotbed of the moonshine industry.

Was NASCAR started by moonshiners?

It wasn't gasoline—but moonshine—that fueled the growth of stock car racing in Appalachia and led to the rise of NASCAR. It wasn't gasoline—but moonshine—that fueled the growth of stock car racing in Appalachia and led to the rise of NASCAR.

How Outlaw Moonshiners Started NASCAR | WheelHouse

Does NASCAR have roots in bootlegging moonshine?

Many future NASCAR drivers cut their teeth bootlegging illegal moonshine in the 1940s, such as NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson, who won his learner's permit by running corn mash hooch before his NASCAR debut in 1955.

Do they still run moonshine?

Moonshine production today comes in many forms. There are still plenty of backwoods blackpot stills throughout the South, the traditional home of illegal liquor production. But there are also high-tech, larger operations organized like modern businesses.

What were moonshine runners called?

Once the liquor was distilled, drivers called "runners" or "bootleggers" smuggled moonshine and "bootleg" (illegally imported) liquor across the region in cars specially modified for speed and load-carrying capacity.

When did NASCAR stop using stock cars?

The Strictly Stock cars were used until 1966 when NASCAR ordered its first significant competition change to the Grand National Division.

What NASCAR driver got in trouble with the law?

On Tuesday, April 26, ARCA Menards Series driver Daniel Dye was arrested in Volusia County, Florida on a charge of felony battery. The ARCA Menards Series is a NASCAR-owned series used as a feeder series into the sport's three national touring series.

Do NASCAR drivers do drugs?

All NASCAR drivers, at-track crew members and officials must pass a drug test from an approved lab in the 90 days prior to applying for their NASCAR license. NASCAR can ask any member to submit to a drug test at any time for reasonable suspicion and conducts random drug tests on event weekends.

What is Carl Edwards doing these days?

Since then, Edwards, a winner of 28 Cup races and the 2007 Xfinity championship, has remained out of the limelight while enjoying a life of farming and traveling instead of punctuating racing victories with back-flips.

Who is the most wanted moonshiner?

As America's Most Wanted Moonshiner, Tim Smith is pursued by lawmen and drinkers alike. Tim pot-distills his whiskey the same way his family has for generations.

Which moonshiner is from North Carolina?

Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton was a world-famous moonshiner and North Carolina native whose life, persona, moonshine, and death are things of legend. And believe it or not, most of it just happened within the past 20 years!

Who is the owner of Ole Smoky Moonshine?

Joe Baker - Founder - Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery | LinkedIn.

How fast did moonshine cars go?

Most moonshine cars added special heavy back springs and shocks to hold the vehicle level when loaded. A 1940 Ford Coupe was a runner's vehicle of choice before the 1950s. The coupe sported a Flat-head V-8 engine, large trunk space and could be souped up to run upwards of 180 mph.

When did they stop running moonshine?

In 1933 Prohibition had finally come to an end, but this only slightly slowed down the demand for Moonshine. The tax free, cheap price and high alcohol content of moonshine kept it in high demand throughout the Southern U.S. and major cities all over the US.

How fast did moonshiners drive?

See all 12 photos According to Call, the 413 in the 1961 New Yorker urged the car to 180 mph, "uphill or downhill, loaded or unloaded." Fully loaded with 25 cases of liquor weighing about 750 pounds, the car weighed close to 4,750 pounds. Like any good businessmen, the moonshiners diversified.

How much does a jar of moonshine cost?

Usually $25 but sometimes they put a flavor or two on sale for $5 off. over a year ago.

What state produces the most moonshine?

The story of North Carolina moonshine is mostly centered around Wilkes County, which was called the moonshine capital of the world by federal revenue officers. What is this? Some might debate that title, but you can't deny that the mountains of North Carolina are steeped in illegal liquor history.

How much will a 5 gallon still produce?

General Alcohol Yields

You can generally assume that your alcohol still will produce a final batch that is about 20% of the size of your copper still's pot. For example, the average run in a 5 gallon still can be expected to produce about a gallon or a gallon and a half of moonshine.

Was moonshine used in cars?

Practically any car could run on high-potency hooch, though the level of performance would vary. The Ford Model A driven in the historical novel Lawless is based on would run pretty smoothly, though it would lose about 30 percent of its horse power.

Was Junior Johnson a bootlegger?

Junior was arrested and spent one year in prison in Ohio in 1956-57 for having an illegal still, although he was never caught in his many years of transporting bootleg liquor at high speed. In 1955, Johnson began his career as a NASCAR driver.

What was NASCAR called before NASCAR?

The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division. In 1971, when the series began leasing its naming rights to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, it was referred to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series (1971–2003).