The Cup Series returns to North Wilkesboro in a move that has electrified NASCAR fans and reignited debate across the sport, as a proposed venue swap with Dover Motor Speedway is set to restore regular Cup Series points racing to the famed North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2026. While long-awaited by supporters, the schedule change has generated significant controversy, with both excitement and backlash emerging from the NASCAR community.
Three Decades Waiting: North Wilkesboro’s Road Back
North Wilkesboro Speedway, a cornerstone of short-track history, last hosted a Cup Series points race on September 29, 1996, when Jeff Gordon triumphed at the Tyson Holly Farms 400. For almost thirty years, the track sat dormant from NASCAR’s elite competition, despite its cherished status among both drivers and long-standing fans.
A revitalization effort totaling $40 million transformed the facility, allowing North Wilkesboro to return in 2023 as the site of the NASCAR All-Star Race. This debut demonstrated the track could meet all the requirements of modern Cup Series action, blending updated amenities with the historical character that made it iconic.
Track Performance and Driver Praise Fuel New Opportunity
Momentum continued in 2025, when Christopher Bell claimed victory in a gripping 250-lap All-Star event on the legendary short track. The race, known for its 18 lead changes among eight different drivers, was widely seen as proof that North Wilkesboro delivered competitive racing reminiscent of NASCAR’s celebrated past. Christopher Bell called the track the
“best short track on the schedule”
and described North Wilkesboro as “absolutely incredible.” —Christopher Bell, Driver
The success of these recent events led to widespread calls from the NASCAR community, including both fans and drivers, for the track to earn a spot on the regular season schedule. With strong demand for more entertaining short-track competition, North Wilkesboro emerged as a logical candidate to rejoin as a points race venue.
Fan Reactions and Concerns Over Losing Dover
Despite the excitement surrounding the return of the Cup Series to North Wilkesboro, NASCAR’s plan to exchange it with Dover Motor Speedway for the 2026 season has created sharp disagreements. Some fans leveled harsh criticism at the decision, with one voicing,
“What in the hell would possess NASCAR to be so foolish, the racing product just isn’t very good at Dover right now,”
—Fan, Social Media. Concerns have centered on the current lack of compelling racing at Dover, particularly following the introduction of the NextGen cars, which many believe have limited passing and reduced excitement.
Additionally, Dover’s absence of lighting has raised logistical and traditional complaints. Moving the All-Star Race there would break a tradition of night racing for the event, a staple since its shift to Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1992. The lack of evening scheduling would likely impose daytime racing conditions, which some worry could dampen the event’s appeal.
The field size for the All-Star Race at Dover will also be smaller than a traditional Cup Series event, intensifying concerns that the competition could turn into a processional affair rather than a dynamic showcase for NASCAR’s top talent.
Dover currently holds only one annual Cup Series points race after losing its second slot to Nashville Superspeedway in 2021. The potential elimination of its remaining event has especially upset Northeast-based supporters, who fear local fans are being disregarded.
“At this point it’s obvious they just hate the fans.”
—Fan, Social Media. Another warning came from a Northeast supporter:
“I know attendance is down, which has more to do with the fact the current car setup sucks, but do they just forget there are NASCAR fans up here in the northeast?”
—Fan, Social Media
What’s Next for NASCAR, North Wilkesboro, and Dover?
NASCAR is expected to unveil the official 2026 Cup Series schedule in the coming week. Current indications suggest the All-Star Race will keep its long-standing Memorial Day weekend timing while North Wilkesboro will see a premier summer points event on the Cup Series calendar. As the sport prepares for one of its most dramatic schedule shakeups in years, all eyes are on how the community, fans, and the historic tracks themselves will react to a change that blends nostalgia with modern sports business realities. The decision’s ripple effects will shape how NASCAR honors its storied past while pursuing its future.
