Return of North Wilkesboro: After 27 years, the NASCAR Cup Series finally returned to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star Race in May. The event honoured the past but showed big problems with on-track competition.
The second-year NASCAR Cup Series car, generally known as the NextGen, is to blame for the lacklustre racing, which has been talked about a lot. This car, which was made to perform better, must work better on tracks like Wilkesboro, Martinsville, Bristol, and Richmond. Even though NASCAR has tried different things, like lowering downforce and changing the shapes of the splitters, the results could have been better.
The NextGen car needs more horsepower; its wider tires and bigger brakes give it too much grip, and its aerodynamic tail is too big. This agreement among drivers has made people worry about how well the car will work on short tracks. In an interview for his Dale Jr. Download show, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stressed the importance of immediately making changes to improve the racing experience at these tracks.
Earnhardt knew North Wilkesboro Speedway would be repaved for the 2024 All-Star Race, but he didn’t think it would be a permanent answer. He said that NASCAR has a big problem with the NextGen car on small tracks, which must be fixed immediately. The return of the All-Star Race to Wilkesboro is harmed by poor racing, which makes people wonder about the future of NASCAR tracks like Martinsville, Richmond, and Bristol.
Earnhardt, who has raced at Wilkesboro in the CARS Tour series, said that more entertaining races have been held on the same track by other racing series, like Super Late Models, Tour Type Modifieds, and the NASCAR Truck Series. The difference in performance shows that the NextGen car is at fault, so Earnhardt and many of his peers call for significant changes. Whether it’s about grip or power, Earnhardt’s worries are shared by many, highlighting the need for substantial changes to protect NASCAR tracks like North Wilkesboro in the long term.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is North Wilkesboro Speedway coming back?
The NASCAR All-Star Race is set to make a comeback at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2024. NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports have announced that the 40th edition of the race will be held at the historic venue as part of a three-day weekend of motorsports entertainment from May 17-19. Fans can look forward to an action-packed event that promises to be a thrilling experience for all. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in the world of motorsports.
Will NASCAR race at North Wilkesboro in 2024?
Get ready to witness the NASCAR All-Star Race as it returns to its roots at the iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway from May 17-19, 2024. This historic event promises to be a thrilling experience for racing enthusiasts and fans alike. So mark your calendars and be prepared to witness some of the best drivers in the world compete on this legendary track. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness history in the making!
Who owns North Wilkesboro racetrack?
The North Carolina state budget has just approved a $4 million grant for Speedway Motorsports, the company that owns several tracks including North Wilkesboro and Charlotte Motor Speedway. The funding will be sourced from the State Fiscal Recovery Reserve’s interest earnings.
When was the last time North Wilkesboro Speedway was used?
The North Wilkesboro Speedway recently made a comeback by hosting the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race in May. This was the first time since 1996 that NASCAR racing returned to the North Carolina foothills. Interestingly, the speedway had not undergone any repaving since 1981.