In a sorrowful event for NASCAR enthusiasts, the iconic Bud Moore Engineering (BME) garage, a cornerstone of NASCAR heritage in Spartanburg, South Carolina, was severely damaged by a fire late Monday night. This incident not only marks a physical loss but deepens the emotional toll on the racing community following the recent passing of Greg Moore, a key figure in the BME legacy.
The Spartanburg Fire Department was quick to respond to the emergency. Fire Marshal William Smart reported that upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire consuming a significant portion of the historical structure. “The building was found unsecured, with no power or natural gas supply, and was not being used at the time of the fire,” Smart stated, confirming that there were no injuries since the building was empty.
The Bud Moore Engineering team, founded in 1961 by Bud Moore and later led by his son, Greg Moore, was a dominant force in NASCAR, producing legendary drivers such as Dale Earnhardt and Bobby Allison. The garage itself was a landmark, having housed numerous race cars and witnessed countless moments of NASCAR history.
The news of the fire spread quickly among NASCAR fans, prompting an outpouring of memories and condolences. One fan expressed his sadness on Reddit, noting, “Shame that a piece of NASCAR history is gone, a lot of big names raced out of that shop. Tough year for the Moore family, first with Greg’s passing and now the former shop burns.”
The sentiment was echoed by other fans, one of whom quoted, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” reflecting a poignant tribute to the legacy that Bud Moore Engineering left behind. Another fan lamented, “I’d kill to have the sign off that building. Someone has to have it in their basement.”
Local residents and NASCAR fans alike remember the garage as a bustling hub of activity where legends were made. Spartanburg resident and author Perry Allen Wood shared his personal memories: “In 1964 I was 12 and I used to come here with my father… I would sit in the race cars and play, and for me, it was better than Disney World.”
The loss of the BME garage is a blow to the local community and the wider NASCAR world, which has revered the site as a significant piece of motorsport history. As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the racing community holds tight to the memories of a bygone era, symbolized by the charred remnants of the Bud Moore Engineering garage.
