North Wilkesboro to host first points race in 30 years

By Daniel Foster — 16 July 2026 — 4 min read

The North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina is set to host its first points-paying Cup Series race in three decades this Sunday. This event marks a significant return for the historic track, which last held a points race in 1996. The weekend will also feature the Craftsman Truck Series in action.

The journey to this weekend’s event began with efforts to preserve the track’s legacy. In December 2019, Dale Earnhardt Jr., a prominent figure in NASCAR, initiated a project to clear the abandoned track of weeds. His goal was to enable iRacing to scan the 0.625-mile track for a virtual racing simulation, ensuring future generations could experience its significance in stock car racing.

Earnhardt Jr.’s passion for short track racing and the history of North Wilkesboro was a driving force behind this initiative. He enlisted the help of volunteers, including RFK Racing driver Chris Buescher, to prepare the track for scanning. Buescher recalled Earnhardt Jr. actively participating in the cleanup, riding a street sweeper and covered in mud, demonstrating his commitment to the project.

The initial plan was solely to scan the track for iRacing. However, the project evolved beyond a virtual simulation. The track’s owner, Marcus Smith, reopened the facility in 2022, spurred by Earnhardt Jr.’s efforts, to host grassroots-level racing. This move was a crucial step in the track’s revival.

The transformation continued with NASCAR bringing its non-points All-Star Racing to North Wilkesboro for three consecutive years starting in 2023. The positive reception to these events led to discussions about the possibility of the track hosting a points-paying Cup race once again. This Sunday’s race is the culmination of those discussions and efforts.

Many factors contributed to North Wilkesboro’s return to the Cup schedule, but Earnhardt Jr.’s influence is widely acknowledged as a primary catalyst. Despite retiring from driving nearly a decade ago, his voice remains impactful within the sport. Denny Hamlin, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and co-owner of 23XI Racing, stated that Earnhardt Jr. is still the most popular and influential figure in NASCAR, and his dedication was key to the track’s revival.

The Track’s Revival and Community Impact

Earnhardt Jr. reflected on the genesis of his involvement, explaining that iRacing challenged him to create a unique opportunity, leading him to consider scanning North Wilkesboro for vintage cars. He secured clearance from Marcus Smith, the track owner, and then publicly announced his intention on social media, which put pressure on iRacing to proceed with the scan.

Initially, Earnhardt Jr. had given up on the idea of the track ever returning to active racing. However, a proposal to hold a dirt race at Wilkesboro by some of Smith’s associates sparked a new idea. Earnhardt Jr. suggested bringing the CARS Tour, a regional series, to the track if a race were to be held there. He even committed to racing in the event himself to convince Jack McNelly, the CARS Tour owner, of the viability of the idea.

The 2022 CARS Tour race at North Wilkesboro proved to be a significant moment. Earnhardt Jr. described the experience as dreamlike, with nearly 30,000 people attending, far exceeding the anticipated 8,000. Despite limited amenities, the enthusiasm of the crowd and the quality of the race, in which Earnhardt Jr. finished third, demonstrated the track’s potential.

Marcus Smith, witnessing the success of the 2022 race, recognized the track’s appeal. Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that for him, North Wilkesboro represents the vintage atmosphere and the unique experience of short track racing, an aspect he believes has been diminishing in the industry. He views short tracks as a vital ingredient for the health and completeness of the NASCAR Cup Series.

Race Weekend Details

The upcoming race weekend will feature both the Cup Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. The Cup Series race is scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT Sports. Teams will have ten sets of tires for the weekend, including eight new sets for the race, one for qualifying that transfers to the race, and one for practice. Additionally, four wet-weather sets will be available if needed.

The Craftsman Truck Series race will take place on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET, airing on FS1. For this series, teams will have five sets of tires for the weekend: three new sets for the race, one for qualifying that transfers to the race, and one for practice. Three wet-weather sets will also be available.

The weekend schedule includes qualifying orders, practice speeds, and race results, which will be updated as information becomes available. Earnhardt Jr. will be in the broadcast booth as an analyst for TNT, covering this race as part of TNT’s five-race slate.

The return of a points-paying Cup Series race to North Wilkesboro Speedway marks a significant milestone, bringing a historic venue back into the spotlight after its last points race in 1996.

Source: nytimes.com