It is always refreshing to sometimes visit the bygone days. Walking down memory lane often brings back the old days which now occupy the dusty shelves. The fans of NASCAR had a similar experience on Sunday after a long period as the gates of North Wilkesboro Speedway opened to the higher formats of racing, like the Cup Series.

The weekend will surely be remembered by all for days to come. Though the All-Star race was a bit lackluster to most people’s liking, it was the Hendrick Motorsports speedster, Kyle Larson who just turned a million-dollar richer, after taking the checkered. He was followed by the 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. But this whole occasion would not have taken place had the speedway been left in its old rickety state.

And Denny Hamlin can’t thank those people enough for their timely intervention and for restoring the legendary track.

Denny Hamlin gives a heartfelt thanks, despite not having the best of races

The last time the gates of North Wilkesboro Speedway had opened to NASCAR’s major format was back in 1996 when Jeff Gordon snatched the victory from Dale Earnhardt. Since then, more than two decades have passed, and several legends of that era have bid farewell. And many new faces have taken their seats behind the wheel and are on the verge of rewriting history.

But with the race done, and the winner being crowned, it is time to acknowledge the people who have worked relentlessly in order to resurrect the rusty skeletons of the Speedway. And Hamlin in the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast did just that. 

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While conversing with his co-host Jared Allen, the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver shared his thoughts on the race, “This is fun because we’re talking about going back to race track, we haven’t been to in 25-26, 30 years.” He also added, “Whatever, it was cool.” 

He also revealed, “The atmosphere was second to none. Actually, I know the company that did the rebuild, Choke Construction, shoutout to Jhon Dutas and that team. They are actually the ones building our buildings right now for 23XI. So they did a fantastic job.”

He also mentioned the veteran driver, without whom this won’t have been successful, “Shoutout to Dale Jr and his whole group, from I-Racing that kind of started this. And you had a handful of volunteers going out there and clearing the track and trying to scan the track for I-Racing. Just a fantastic vision, that those guys have, to bring this track back.”

While speaking about the older tracks of NASCAR, the 23XI Racing co-owner said, “And it has always been the track that had the most momentum to bring it back. Rockingham has got it too, but I don’t know to the extent, that Wilkesboro was. So I think, I was flying with Marcus [Smith] and he said that was the first track sporting…”0

As Hamlin lost was lost for words—it being a tough day—Allen tried to finish the thought for him, “…sporting event?”

But Hamlin soon remembered the answer, “No facility.” He also added, “ You know that was abandoned and then brought back out of all sports. Yeah because you usually when you leave somewhere, it’s demolished.”

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A heartfelt plea by the NASCAR community to bring back the old tracks

With the restoration of North Wilkesboro Speedway, many fans and NASCAR drivers are also hoping for the refurbishment of the old and iconic tracks, among which the Rockingham Speedway is at the top of the list. The gates of which had last opened in 2004.

Among the active voices, who have advocated the return of the iconic track are Hendrick Motorsports’ star racer, Chase Elliott, and the veteran driver Kenny Wallace. The veteran driver also posted a picture of him demanding the return of the iconic track.

Well, it will be interesting to see what other race tracks can be brought back to life, after all a lot of memories are associated with these venues. If more people like Dale Jr come forward, then perhaps NASCAR will reclaim its old glory along with attracting newer fans. 

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