NASCAR
Legendary Short Track Reborn with Grassroots Racing this Fall
BRISTOL, Tenn. – A racing jewel of the southeast will return in a matter of months. Announced leading into the Bristol Dirt Race, North Wilkesboro Speedway will see on-track action again this fall. The 5/8-mile track in North Carolina hosted NASCAR from 1948 until 1996, and has largely sat dormant until now.
August will see select series compete on the hallowed asphalt surface, the first major racing in Wilkes County since 2011. After these races, the pavement will be removed and dirt races will happen in October. These races will all be produced by XR Events. All of these races will lead into a full facility repave in 2023.
“As we begin the process of bringing North Wilkesboro Speedway back to life, this is a great opportunity for the historic short track to host grassroots racing and allow our team to learn more about what needs be done before a grand re-opening in the future,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “Our vision is to revive this venue into a multi-use entertainment facility, but racing will always be the core product. We know fans and competitors will enjoy ‘kicking the tires’ alongside us with some live competition this year as we begin renovations.”
Speedway Motorsports is working with Wilkes County and North Carolina state officials to utilize an $18 million American Rescue Plan budget allocation earmarked for infrastructure improvements at the nearly 75-year-old facility.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for competitors and short track race fans to experience North Wilkesboro Speedway one more time on the old asphalt and then on dirt as it first began,” said XR Events CEO Barry Braun. “We have a lot of work to do with sanctioning bodies and competitors to get ready for August, but we’re committed to producing an event that both fans and racers will remember for a lifetime.”
All of these developments are still a part of the larger revitalization process for North Wilkesboro Speedway. Does the 0.625-mile track have a future in NASCAR divisions? The Cup Series last raced at North Wilkesboro in 1996, with four Xfinity and two past Truck races as well. Marcus Smith teased NWS as being a perfect fit for the Trucks, but was hesitant to look beyond there. Regardless, racing action will once again grace the historic venue in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Please stay tuned for any further developments in this story.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR
