CARS Tour announced on Monday afternoon that the Late Model Stock division will race at Caraway Speedway for the first time in series history on May 22.

Caraway track owner Darren Hackett dealt with his fair share of challenges during a season dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he believes that the track’s addition to the CARS scheduling is a positive development as he builds its future.

“We are looking forward to hosting the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour Late Model Stock Cars in 2021” Hackett said. “2020 has been a trying time for Caraway Speedway and the sport in general.  We managed to adjust to limitations on events due to the COVID-19 Pandemic as did Jack McNelly and his team. We will all work toward rebuilding from 2020.”

Since opening in 1966, Caraway has hosted races for a variety of different sanctioning bodies such as the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the NASCAR All Pro Series and the predecessor to the CARS Tour — the USAR Pro Cup Series.

Among the drivers that have visited victory lane at Caraway during its five-decade history include Harry Gant, Sam Ard, Richie Evans, Ray Hendrick, Jack Ingram and Dale Earnhardt.

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With Caraway joining the CARS Late Model Stock schedule for the 2021 season, it becomes the second new track that series regulars and newcomers will encounter across the 12-race schedule, joining Rockingham Speedway.

CARS Tour owner Jack McNelly wanted to put together a schedule that he believed would challenge drivers and reward spectators with great racing, and is confident that Caraway will meet both of those expectations when the LMSC Tour visits the facility later this year.

“This is one of the only tracks in North Carolina that we haven’t visited yet, so it’s something new to look forward to in 2021,” McNelly said. “Darren and his entire group seem totally focused on bringing Caraway back to the forefront of short track racing in North Carolina with some big events and we are proud to be a part of it. I feel its an opportunity for a big event for both our competitors and the fans of the CARS Tour.”

Along with the CARS Tour date in May, Caraway still intends to run its normal slate of special events such as the North-South Shootout and Russell Hackett’s Original Thanksgiving Classic later this year.