Wow, what a night at North Wilkesboro Speedway! The NASCAR All-Star Race was an absolute thrill, with 18 lead changes that had us cheering lap after lap. Unlike those old Charlotte Speedway All-Star races that were so boring they had zero lead changes, North Wilkesboro, with its shiny new pavement, put on a short-track show for the ages. Christopher Bell, who took the checkered flag, summed it up perfectly: “This is the best short track in NASCAR right now.” And honestly, who’s going to argue with that?

The place was buzzing. A sold-out crowd filled the stands, roaring for every pass, chanting for Bell. It wasn’t just a race—it was a full-on party, a comeback story for a track that’s been through tough times but is now shining bright. But then FOX Sports got a bit weird. Instead of just letting fans enjoy the action, they kept pushing one question: Should North Wilkesboro host a points race? They wouldn’t let it go, repeating it like they were trying to sell us on the idea. It felt forced, and some insiders definitely noticed.

NASCAR Insider celebrates fans’ faith in the track

NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck didn’t hold back on his podcast The Teardown. “When they were talking on the broadcast, Fox Sports was just hammering. Oh, do you want a points race here? Maybe a points race here? Should I wait with this here? I mean, they were just like, it was like not subtle at all. You know what I’m saying?” he said, nailing what so many of us were thinking.” Not everyone’s sold, though. Some fans felt FOX’s coverage was like a “sales pitch” that stole focus from the racing. Waltrip’s worried a points race might stress the track’s setup or change its vibe. But the case for Wilkesboro is strong.

His co-host Jordan Bianchi jumped in, explaining why the idea’s got legs: “That is a popular topic this weekend. What is North Wilkesboro? I think, let’s just get this out there, it’s going to remain on the schedule in some of that… A lot of energy before the race, during the race, and after the race… So why would you not want to see a full points race? Why not? What would be the downside of this? And the fans have turned out, because obviously the support is there, the race quality was pretty good tonight. I also think that if you had 20 more cars on this racetrack, would you have for a full points race? That would help as well if you could have traffic a little bit. More pit strategy. I don’t think it’s a bad idea.” He’s got a point—the track was electric, so why not go bigger?

It wasn’t just Gluck and Bianchi talking. Bell, still pumped from his win, said, “North Wilkesboro, how about that one? That right there was absolutely incredible. North Wilkesboro is the best short track on the schedule. Let’s go.” Brad Keselowski, a former champ, agreed, “I think the Charlotte racetrack, particularly since it only has one race on the Oval, I think that’s a miss for our sport. It’s a great racetrack, puts on some of the best racing. NASCAR should focus on the track’s natural appeal instead of fake drama like extra cautions. Even years after its revival, Wilkesboro’s crowds are still huge. Bianchi’s idea of adding 20 more cars for a full field of 36 sounds awesome—more chaos, more pit stops, and even better racing. But that idea is not unique to him.

Other veterans like Kevin Harvick also like where this is going. If a race is going to be this interesting, why not throw in some points and a full stack of teams battling it out? “I think that North Wilkesboro deserves to be a points race. I think it would be a fantastic points event, 400 laps, all the cars on the racetrack, full weekend,” Harvick said. But if NASCAR gives in to these suggestions, things will instantly look better for the sport.

So, what’s the deal? North Wilkesboro isn’t just a blast from the past—it’s a track that delivers epic racing and a fan experience you can’t beat. FOX’s pushy vibe was a bit much, but it got us talking. Bell, Keselowski, Bianchi, and the fans all see it: a points race here could be huge. But we will let NASCAR decide, rather than FOX. However, recently, the broadcasting house has showered honor and condolences on a great loss to the sport.

FOX Sports honored an important HMS family member

During FOX NASCAR’s RACEDAY telecast, Jon Edwards, a beloved figure at Hendrick Motorsports, was honored with “The Byrnsie Award.” This special award, started in 2016 to remember FOX broadcaster Steve Byrnes, celebrates people who live by Steve’s values: family, teamwork, and preparation. For Jon, who passed away in April 2025, this tribute felt like a big hug from the sport he poured his heart into.

As Jon’s family—parents Randy and Judy, brother Jay, sister-in-law Roxanne, and nephew Jayden—accepted the award, the moment was filled with love. Mike Joy handed it over, saying, “In an arena with massive egos, Jon’s own was never on display. As an enabler — not a gatekeeper—Jon set a very high standard, all the while being a good and loyal friend. He truly embodied the way Steve Byrnes lived his life.”

Jon’s biggest impact might have been with Kyle Larson. After Kyle’s 2020 NASCAR suspension, Jon stepped in as his PR rep, helping him rebuild his career. Kyle’s 2021 championship was proof of Jon’s guidance. “Jon was the prototype for great PR reps with Jeff Gordon, and he was the perfect choice to guide Kyle Larson’s return to NASCAR and his rise to stardom,” said FOX announcer Mike Joy.

Voted by the FOX NASCAR team, where Jon Edwards had worked since 2001, this award felt just right. Jon’s warmth and legacy live on in Hendrick Motorsports and every heart he touched.