Nestled in the picturesque mountains of North Carolina lies a hidden gem of the NASCAR world – North Wilkesboro Speedway. This short track, located in the small town of Wilkesboro, has a rich history dating back to the 1940s when it first opened its gates to racing fans. However, as the years went by, this once-thriving speedway fell into disarray and was left abandoned, until one man decided to take matters into his own hands and bring it back to life – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Last Sunday’s All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway was a reminder of just how good short track racing can be. While tracks like Bristol and Martinsville have struggled to deliver exciting races with the Next Gen car, NWS seems to have found the winning formula. This begs the question – where would North Wilkesboro Speedway be today if it weren’t for the efforts of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his team?
Back in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. famously took a trip down memory lane and embarked on a restoration project to revive North Wilkesboro Speedway. This project was no small feat, as the speedway had been left abandoned for nearly 20 years. The grandstands were crumbling, the track was covered in overgrown grass and weeds, and the facilities were in a state of disrepair. But despite the daunting task ahead, Dale Jr. was determined to bring this historic track back to life.
Over the next few years, Dale Jr. and his team worked tirelessly to restore North Wilkesboro Speedway to its former glory. They spent countless hours clearing the track, fixing the grandstands, and upgrading the facilities. Their hard work paid off when the track finally reopened in 2020, hosting its first race in 24 years – the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series event. This virtual race brought in over 300,000 viewers, proving that there was still a demand for racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
But Dale Jr. didn’t stop there. He knew that in order to truly make NWS great again, it needed to host a real race with real cars. And that’s exactly what happened last Sunday at the All-Star race. With the help of NASCAR and his team at JR Motorsports, Dale Jr. successfully convinced the powers that be to bring the All-Star race to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time ever.
And what a race it was! Fans were treated to an action-packed night of racing, with wheel-to-wheel battles and a photo finish that had everyone on the edge of their seats. It was a race that reminded us all of the old-school, rough-and-tumble style of racing that made North Wilkesboro Speedway famous in the first place. And it was all thanks to the efforts of one man – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
But Dale Jr.’s involvement in the revamp of North Wilkesboro Speedway goes beyond just physical restoration. He has also been an advocate for bringing back the historic track to the NASCAR circuit permanently. In an interview with NBC Sports, he said, “We’re just trying to showcase what the track can be and what it would look like if we would go in there and fix it up and turn it into an amazing facility.”
And his efforts have not gone unnoticed. Many fans and drivers alike have praised Dale Jr. for his commitment to bringing North Wilkesboro Speedway back to life. In fact, after the All-Star race, several drivers expressed their desire to see the track on the NASCAR schedule once again.
So, where would North Wilkesboro Speedway be today if it weren’t for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s efforts? It’s safe to say that it would still be just a distant memory, lost in the pages of NASCAR history. But thanks to Dale Jr. and his team’s dedication and hard work, it is now a thriving speedway once again, with a bright future ahead.
In a world where modern, cookie-cutter tracks seem to dominate the NASCAR landscape, North Wilkesboro Speedway stands out as a reminder of the sport’s roots. It’s a track that holds a special place in the hearts of many fans and drivers, and thanks to one man’s efforts, it can continue to do so for years to come.
The All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway was a resounding success – a testament to the hard work, determination, and passion of
