Randy McAnulty: Dale Earnhardt’s First Trophy Track & Kannapolis Slot Cars | EP 3

Randy McAnulty of The Slot Car Track joins Chris Hughes and Ryan Dayvault for a deep dive into Kannapolis racing history, slot cars, and the local track where Dale Earnhardt won his first trophy.

Recorded in the historic WRKB studios in downtown Kannapolis, this episode is packed with rough talk, Earnhardt memorabilia, family racing stories, and pure K-Town pride. Randy shares how he built his tracks, keeps kids and families racing for under $200 to get started, and why slot cars still matter in a racing town.

Dr. Dave (Chuck Irvin) also stops by with the weekly weather report.

00:00 Cold Open – Rough Talk & the ’94 Magazine
04:52 Theme Song & Episode Intro
05:42 Kannapolis Updates & Cannon Ballers
09:42 Introducing Randy McAnulty
10:13 Randy Joins the Table
14:41 How Randy Got Started (Concord → Kannapolis)
18:35 Victory Junction & Community Racing
24:37 Dale Earnhardt’s First Trophy Track
25:16 Getting Kids Started – Cost & Accessibility
29:59 Racing Around the World
35:11 Rough Talk: Sun Drop & the Cannon Ballers
36:10 Dr. Dave’s Weather Report
38:17 Idiot Circle
41:07 Closing + Three for Dale

Hosts: Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault
Guest: Randy McAnulty – The Slot Car Track (Kannapolis) & The Race Center

If you grew up in Kannapolis, raced slot cars, or still get chills when you see a black #3, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a fellow K-Towner, and keep the local stories rolling.

Hardee’s Biscuits Got Him Inside the Mills: Chad Mitchell’s Untold Story | Ep 75

In Episode 75 of the K-Town Connection, lifelong Kannapolis photographer and artist Chad Mitchell opens his archive of more than 25,000 photographs that document the demolition of Cannon Mills — the place that built this town. As the massive mill complex disappeared, Chad decided someone had to record what was being lost. What began as a personal mission became one of the most important visual records of Kannapolis history ever created. He takes us inside the abandoned buildings, shares how he gained access (Hardee’s biscuits helped), and reveals the stories behind some of his most powerful images — including the fall of the iconic water tower, a once-in-a-lifetime balloon ride over the complex, and the unforgettable photograph of his late father standing in the partially demolished mill, looking out at the rubble of the place where he had worked for decades. Chad also looks back at an incredible creative career that includes photographing Appalachian State football during its national championship years, serving as team photographer for Kannapolis professional baseball, working with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, and creating artwork connected to Dale Earnhardt. His guiding philosophy has always been simple: Tell as much of the story as possible in one shutter click. Today, as a new generation grows up in a Kannapolis that looks nothing like the mill town their parents and grandparents knew, these photographs have become even more valuable. They don’t just preserve buildings — they preserve the people, the work, the memories, and the identity of a community that was forever changed. This episode is exactly what the K-Town Connection is about: preserving Kannapolis history by telling the stories of the people who lived it. 📸 Browse and purchase Chad’s photography and artwork: ChadMitchell.com 📍 Filmed at Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage in Kannapolis, North Carolina 🎙️ Hosted by the #RoughTalkCousins Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault, along with Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin and David Steele Chapters 0:00 – Intro & Local Updates 5:32 – Welcome to Episode 75 5:52 – Introducing Chad Mitchell 7:02 – Growing Up in Kannapolis 12:00 – How Chad Began Documenting the Mills 14:00 – Getting Access with Hardee’s Biscuits 17:18 – Inside the Abandoned Mill Buildings 19:24 – Over 25,000 Photographs 25:10 – The Darkest Place in the Mill 27:20 – “Lifeline” – The Railroad Light Painting 37:15 – Where to See & Buy the Photos 38:21 – Kiln-Dried Maple Floors & the Sign 39:49 – Baseball Photography Years 43:45 – The Dale Earnhardt Artwork 46:06 – The “Quality Work Means Job Security” Sign 53:45 – The Balloon Ride Over Cannon Mills 56:15 – The Photograph of Chad’s Father 59:48 – Closing Thoughts & Thank You

K-Town Connection Official Home of the K-Town Connection

Randy McAnulty: Dale Earnhardt’s First Trophy Track & Kannapolis Slot Cars | EP 3

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Hardee’s Biscuits Got Him Inside the Mills: Chad Mitchell’s Untold Story | Ep 75