BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a break-in at the Arden home of former NASCAR driver Dave Marcis. Deputies responded over the weekend after Marcis’ home was reportedly broken into while he was out of town.
WLOS
According to the sheriff’s office incident report, the case is classified as felony breaking and entering at a residence, with no force used to enter. The report also indicates high-value items were stolen.
A Facebook post from one of Marcis’ friends says the stolen items included guns, jewelry and personal NASCAR memorabilia, including knives honoring past Winston Cup championship drivers.
The post asks anyone with information about the stolen items, or who may have seen something suspicious, to contact the sheriff’s office.
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Marcis has deep roots in the Arden racing community. Robert Pressley, the owner of Celebrity’s Hotdogs on Brevard Road and a former NASCAR driver, says Marcis has had a race shop in the area for about 55 years.
“My dad and him raced together,” Pressley said of Marcis. “Then me and him raced together back in the ‘80s, ‘90s and up to 2000s when we both retired.”
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Pressley said Marcis is widely respected throughout the racing community.
SEPT. 1, 2026 – Robert Pressley, the owner of Celebrity’s Hotdogs on Brevard Road and a former NASCAR driver, talks with News 13 about Dave Marcis. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
“He’s loved by everybody, but he’s tougher than anybody we’ve ever raced against,” Pressley said.
Pressley said he had breakfast with Marcis Tuesday morning and learned more about what was taken from the home. Among the reported stolen items were Rolex watches, knives, guns and memorabilia.
Pressley said many of those items held personal significance for Marcis beyond their monetary value.
“It’s all personal stuff,” Pressley said, explaining that some of the watches were gifts given to Marcis and his wife.
Another member of the racing community, Darrell Payne, said Marcis was always willing to help others.
“If you needed to know something or you just needed someone to have your back, even as an official, it was Dave Marcis. Dave was there,” Payne said.
Payne said he heard about the break-in through the NASCAR community and believes some of the stolen items cannot simply be replaced.
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“A lot of the stuff that they stole is irreplaceable,” Payne said.
Pressley believes the stolen items could be difficult for whoever took them to sell because of their connection to Marcis.
“You’ve got so much stuff with his name on it, it’s going to be hard to get rid of it,” Pressley said.
Investigation ongoing
The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into the break-in remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about the break-in or the stolen property is asked to contact the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.