Russell Harrison Hackett

Legendary Caraway Speedway Promoter Russell Hackett Passes

Russell Harrison Hackett, age 76, of Randleman died Friday, February 23, 2018, at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.Born January 13, 1942 in Asheboro and grew up as a tobacco and dairy farmer.  At the age of 16, he began working in restaurants which eventually led to him owning his own.  Dixie Dew Drive-In and Robinhood Restaurant.He began going to Caraway Speedway in Sophia, NC as a spectator then became a championship winning car owner. The owners of Caraway Speedway, Thomas Bros. Country Ham had bought the track as a test facility for NASCAR Legend Sam Ard's NASCAR Sportsman car, coaxed the young Hackett into promoting the track in 1977.  When the Thomas Brothers left the sport in 1989 they sold the track to Hackett.

Hackett's time as the promoter of Caraway Speedway were the best years the facility has ever seen.  Legendary drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Jimmy Hensley, Dennis Setzer, Bobby Labonte, Sam Ard and Mike Skinner all came through the track while Hackett was promoting events.

During the period while Hackett was the longest running promoter and owner of Caraway Speedway, he also owned Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, NC buying the track in 1993 and selling it in 1998.

Hackett was the recipient of the Promoter of the Year award from Charlotte Motor Speedway on two different occasions.  The first came in 1989, the first year with the track under his ownership and again in 1998.  He also served on the NASCAR Appeal Board for over 20 years.

Hackett retired from the restaurant business in 2002 and following the conclusion of the 2010 season, he retired as the promoter of Caraway Speedway.

He is survived by daughter, Dee Dee Hackett-Kern and her husband David of Asheboro; son, Darren Hackett and wife Renee of Asheboro; grandchildren, Justin Smith and his wife Jennifer of Sophia, Preston Hackett and Victoria Hackett; sister, Sylvia Cook and her husband Brad of Bastrop, TX.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Valastra Hackett; parents, Harlan and Johnsie Hackett; brother, Terry Hackett.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Monday, February 26, 2018 at Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro, 437 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, NC  27203.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Balfour Baptist Church, 1642 N. Fayetteville St., Asheboro, NC  27203 with Rev. Gary Mason and Rev. Ben Chavis officiating.  Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph County, P.O. Box 9, Asheboro, NC  27204 or Victory Junction Gang, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317.