The world premier of the movie ‘Red Dirt Rising,’ which was filmed in Archdale, will be held in North Carolina at a historic racing track Saturday, May 15.

The premier, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, will feature a full day of events to commemorate the racing history featured in the film.

Gates will open at noon. The Buck Baker Driving School will offer folks a chance to drive on the historic North Wilkesboro track. For more information, visit www.buckbaker.com.

Cars featured in the movie and antique “moonshine cars” will be on display. The “checkered carpet” will be rolled out as members of the movie’s cast and crew will be on hand to meet people and sign autographs.

In the evening, North Wilkesboro Speedway will crank up its first race of the Legendary Flathead Ford Racing Series.

“This is the first time these cars have been on that track since the ’50s,” said Gary Lewallen, a driver in the 20-lap race and son of racing pioneer Jimmie Lewallen, who raced at North Wilkesboro during his career.

“It’s going to be a historical event for me,” said Lewallen. The last time he was at the track with his father was about 1960, when he was little. “I remember him setting me up on the hood of Joe Weatherly’s Pontiac.” Gary Lewallen had looked around at Fred Lorenzen, Richard Petty and a bunch of other drivers. “I looked up and said, ‘I’m having a good time!’”

Lewallen, who is also executive producer of Red Dirt Rising, hopes that everybody has that kind of good time at the premier.

After the race, Matt Dylan will perform a live concert. His song “Carolina Moonshine” is featured on the movie soundtrack and on the Archdale-Trinity News Web site at www.archdaletrinitynews.net.

At dusk, the movie will be shown on the track.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.historicnws.com/tickets. The cost is $18.25 for adults ($15 plus online fee), $11.25 for children age 6 to 15 ($8 plus fee). Tickets include all the day’s events except for the driving school.

Tickets at the gate will be $20 for adults and $8 for children 6 to 15. Children under 6 get in free.

Red Dirt Rising’s producers and marketing team are finalizing theatrical release and DVD release with distribution companies.