We are thrilled to introduce a new partner to the Great Race for 2024 – Southern Star Bourbons and Rye Whiskeys!
North Carolina is certainly known for racing, but it’s also home to a rich whiskey history. Thanks to its booming agriculture, the state was once known as the “Liquor Capital of the World”. Our latest sponsor, Southern Star, is made by Southern Distilling Company, who has been integral to the whiskey revival in North Carolina. Based in Statesville, Southern Distilling Company still works with local farmers to source ingredients and the staff takes the time to make sure every bottle is crafted to perfection, suitable for sipping and savoring. In 2022, the judges at the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition agreed, naming Southern Star Paragon as the Best in Show, a category consisting of more than 600 bourbon entries.
The brand aims to create the best spirits to be sipped while soaking up life’s greatest moments. What better moments than those enjoyed during The Great Race? In 2021, Co-founder Pete Barger experienced one of our most well-attended city stops ever in Mooresville, North Carolina. Following that, he signed up to embark on his own Great Race adventure behind the wheel of a 1967 Pontiac Bonneville convertible with his son Trinity and daughter C.L.
The Barger family enjoyed the trip from St. Augustine, Florida to Colorado Springs, Colorado and their cool Pontiac handled the miles with ease. As newcomers to the Great Race competition, the Bargers represented well, wheeling their Southern Star-sponsored convertible into a fifth-place finish in the highly contested 2023 Rookie division.
For 2024, Southern Star will step into a sponsorship role of the event by promoting its full line of spirits. You’ll be seeing much more from them as we ramp up for the Race. In the meantime, you can find out more about Southern Distilling Company and its line of Southern Star products including its Paragon Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Double Rye Whiskey, Double Shot Bourbon Cream Liqueur, Standard High Rye, and much more at www.southerndistillingcompany.com.
