Dale Earnhardt Jr. working to save Hickory Motor Speedway comes as the legendary short track, known as the “Birthplace of NASCAR Stars,” faces one of its lowest moments in decades. On May 31, 2025, only four cars participated in a regional race, underscoring the crisis for a venue that has molded champions like Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. Himself a former track champion here, Dale Jr. regards Hickory as more than just a place for racing—it’s home for the Earnhardt legacy.
For generations, the Earnhardt family has been intertwined with this venue. Ralph Earnhardt, the family patriarch, claimed victories at Hickory, and now his great-grandson Wyatt Miller competes on the same ground. The news of such a sparse competitor turnout has sparked concern and action from Dale Earnhardt Jr., along with other figures deeply invested in the sport’s roots.
Low Turnout Raises Alarms Among the Racing Community
The disappointing number of cars at the recent event shocked insiders and fans alike. At a track that once bustled with rising racing legends, the deflated turnout was a stark warning sign. While track officials have kept silent on the issue, drivers and team owners have voiced alarm about the speedway’s perilous state.
Among those raising their voice is Landon Huffman, a prominent short-track racer. Huffman has strong roots at Hickory, being both a team owner and a full-time competitor in the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour, as well as the son of Robert Huffman, a two-time champion at this very track. His anxiety about Hickory’s possible fate resonates throughout the local racing community.
It pains me to see my home track hurt so badly… I do not want to see my home racetrack turn into a housing development,
—Landon Huffman, Driver and Team Owner
The idea that Hickory Motor Speedway could face redevelopment is both alarming and motivating for those with personal histories tied to its asphalt. Dale Earnhardt Jr., himself no stranger to reviving struggling racetracks, has weighed in with suggestions for rebuilding Hickory’s reputation and participation.
Alternating weekends AND some monetary reward for competing at both. They absolutely have to find a way to work together or one will cannibalize the other,
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Veteran
Possible Paths to Revival: Strategies and Personal Stakes
Earnhardt Jr.’s remarks highlight one of the crucial debates: collaboration rather than competition between nearby tracks. Low attendance—both among drivers and fans—has compounded Hickory’s troubles. Some suggest that the solution lies in unified scheduling and incentives to draw in not just participants but also the crowd that once defined the Speedway’s atmosphere.
A brief moment of optimism has come through family legacy—Wyatt Miller, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s grandson, captured his first asphalt stock car win at Hickory. However, even with this achievement, the grandstands were only partially filled. This underwhelming support reflects a larger challenge in reconnecting the track with the local community and broader fan base.
Community Voices Call for Change
The impact of the crisis is felt well beyond immediate track management. Landon Huffman took to social media, repeating concerns over low car counts and lack of strong leadership among neighboring tracks, reinforcing the cyclical nature of short-track racing’s fortunes.
Looking through the weekend results and can’t help but notice 4 cars at Hickory again.The past history between track management & I is no secret, but it pains me to see my home track hurt so badly.I love Tri-County and I enjoy racing there, but I love and enjoy Hickory as…
—Landon Huffman, Driver and Team Owner
The close-knit nature of the racing world means that every setback is personal. The future of Hickory has become symbolic for grassroots racing, highlighting how fragile these community institutions can be.
One proposed lesson for Hickory comes from Earnhardt Jr.’s efforts with North Wilkesboro Speedway, where fan engagement and positive atmosphere helped drive successful revitalization.
Seeing the amount of people who were there, and the energy and the vibe and the mood—it gave him the confidence, I think, to really try to bring racing back there in a bigger way.
—Attributed to an observer reflecting on Wilkesboro’s revival
Landon Huffman’s perspective also calls out the broader issue of tracks refusing to cooperate when times are good, only to find roles reversed in the natural ebb and flow of grassroots racing.
It’s cyclical too, the track doing well never wants to help the track that’s suffering, but in due time it flips and the track once fighting for cars has a full field weekly.
—Landon Huffman, Driver and Team Owner
A critical part of that solution, Huffman suggests, is overcoming pride and personal interests for the greater good.
Ego has to be put aside so that both can succeed,
—Landon Huffman, Driver and Team Owner
Carrying the Legacy: Wyatt Miller and the Earnhardt Clan
Even as Hickory Motor Speedway struggles, hope persists through the young generation. Wyatt Miller, who at just 13 won the 2024 Tulsa Shootout Micro championship in the 600 Micro Non-Wing division, exemplifies this next chapter of the Earnhardt saga. Racing the iconic No. 73, a number with deep Earnhardt heritage, Miller is often seen learning from his uncle Dale Earnhardt Jr. and frequenting JR Motorsports, absorbing knowledge from some of the sport’s greats.
Strong sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops, KOA Campgrounds, and Brandt underscores that Miller’s promise is being noticed. He’s already won in the off-road arena, taking home first place in the Pro Spec class at the 2025 Show Me Off-Road Shootout, demonstrating racing adaptability and determination.
These competitive instincts and Earnhardt grit have been evident in Miller’s own words after one hard-fought victory.
Just hold your line, and don’t do anything stupid.
—Wyatt Miller, Racer
The influence of his grandfather also emerges in the calm confidence Wyatt projects.
I’ve had confidence in myself all along. It was just a matter of getting the pieces back in place.
—Attributed to Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Surrounded by heritage and hope, Wyatt Miller’s racing future appears bright and could serve as an inspiration for Hickory’s resurgence—should the community manage to rally in time.
The Road Ahead for Hickory Motor Speedway
As the challenges mount, the question remains: can Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the emerging generation—represented by Wyatt Miller—guide Hickory Motor Speedway back to relevance, or is the damage irreversible? The fate of this track, and others like it, has become a microcosm of bigger trends in grassroots racing. With community voices rising, from past champions like Robert Huffman to current competitors and iconic families, the struggle is far from over.
Success will likely demand new cooperation between rival tracks, creative scheduling, meaningful financial incentives, and a renewed emphasis on engaging the local fan base. The Earnhardt family’s commitment, coupled with broader community resolve, may yet provide a roadmap for saving this storied venue. The next few months will reveal whether the efforts of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Landon Huffman, Wyatt Miller, and many others can help restore the unique pulse of the “Birthplace of NASCAR Stars.”
