There was a time when North Wilkesboro Speedway wasn’t just a racetrack—it was the racetrack. The kind of place where legends like Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty didn’t just race; they rumbled. Built into the North Carolina hills in 1947, this short track wore its grit like a badge of honor. Rough, rowdy, and absolutely relentless. But as NASCAR chased bigger markets and shinier venues, North Wilkesboro was left behind, its grandstands silenced and its pavement cracking with time.

For years, it sat abandoned. A ghost of stock car glory days gone by. Then, against all odds, NASCAR returned in 2023 after the track was revived by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2019. Then the sport returned in 2024 to an All-Star race that left a lot to be desired. However, after a 2025 showdown that left fans buzzing, a new question is rising like the morning fog in Wilkes County. Is North Wilkesboro back for good? Fans definitely think so.

Fans want the revival of North Wilkesboro Speedway

North Wilkesboro Speedway has become the heart of NASCAR nostalgia, and the 2025 All-Star Race only fueled the fire. For the third straight year, the historic North Carolina short track hosted the Cup Series’ All-Star event, and this one was a swelling success, as even the race-winning driver, Christopher Bell, said, “North Wilkesboro is the best short track on the schedule.” Now, the big question is: Will North Wilkesboro finally land a coveted points race on the NASCAR calendar? Well, the race was a classic short-track showdown.

Christopher Bell started on the front row and led 28 laps, including the final 10, to secure his first All-Star win. Joey Logano, last year’s winner, dominated early by leading 139 laps but lost the lead after a late-race “Promoter’s Caution.” Bell’s decision to pit for two fresh right-side tires proved decisive, as he chased down Logano and made the winning pass after sliding him up the track on Lap 241 of 250. Bell ultimately took the checkered flag by 0.829 seconds, with Ross Chastain, Alex Bowman, and Chase Elliott rounding out the top five. It was a race for the ages, and fan response was overwhelming. NASCAR Insider Jeff Gluck hosts a poll on X after every race week for fans to share their opinions, and this one received a whopping 83% of votes for being a good race!

Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, called North Wilkesboro America’s nostalgic racetrack, akin to Lambeau Field for football and Fenway Park for baseball. The venue’s charm and atmosphere have captivated not just local fans but visitors from around the world. FS1 commentators and drivers like Alex Bowman openly advocated for a points race, with Bowman saying, “I think a points race would probably look about like All-Star did, just with more cars. I don’t think it’s going to change a lot.” Kevin Harvick echoed the sentiment, “North Wilkesboro deserves to be a points race. A full 400-lap race, the whole field, real stakes.”

The fan demand is loud and clear. A Cup Series race with points and playoff position on the line at North Wilkesboro. Not a fancy exhibition race with a fat paycheck and nothing to lose for the drivers. Will tradition and passion win out? The next schedule decision could shape the sport’s future. However, adding North Wilkesboro as a points-paying event isn’t simple.

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The logistical and economic hurdles facing North Wilkesboro’s Cup return

The track’s All-Star Race success has reignited dreams, but there are real hurdles ahead. NASCAR’s schedule is already crowded, with 36 points races and two exhibitions. Drivers have just one weekend off in the season calendar. Adding North Wilkesboro means another track would need to lose its date. One suggestion is to move the spring Bristol race. But Bristol’s massive capacity of 140,000 means even a partially full crowd outnumbers a North Wilkesboro sellout. For reference, North Wilkesboro has a capacity between 30,000 and 40,000.

Infrastructure is another challenge. North Wilkesboro underwent major renovations in 2022 with federal funding, but it’s still a small venue by modern standards. Parking, traffic flow, and hospitality must all meet Cup Series expectations. Hosting a one-off All-Star event is different than supporting a full points race weekend with larger crowds and more teams. For reference, the All-Star Race had just 23 drivers, whereas a regular Cup Series points race can reach up to 40 drivers.

There are also sponsorship and broadcast concerns. Larger venues typically attract more sponsors and higher TV ratings because of their scale and tradition. North Wilkesboro’s charm is its nostalgia. But that doesn’t always translate to bigger business numbers. NASCAR is already facing viewership and sponsorship challenges. For instance, as of May 2025, the Cup Series’ average viewership per race is 3.19 million, down 3% from last year’s 3.28 million at the same point in the season.

Despite these obstacles, momentum is building. Drivers, fans, and even broadcasters are pushing hard for a points race return. NASCAR has shown it’s willing to shake up the schedule, adding new tracks and rotating events in recent years. Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith and industry voices say there’s a realistic path for North Wilkesboro, but it will take creative solutions and continued fan support. Do you think a points-paying race will be at North Wilkesboro shortly? Let us know in the comments!