This land we know as Cosby was once the rich hunting grounds of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. It was called "Mountain Rest" by the many English settlers in the early 1700's. These pioneers combined thier knowledge of distillery with corn, their main crop, to create what is known as "Moonshine, White Lightnin', or Mountain Dew." Moonshiners, struggling to feed their families, built 'souped up' cars to outrun the law. After prohibition, much of their land became the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "Runnin' liquor" declined, but not their love for fast cars. These were the early days of stockcar racing.