The triumphant return of racing to North Wilkesboro Speedway, highlighted by NASCAR’s 2023 All-Star Race, reignited passion among fans, drivers, and teams, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. North Wilkesboro efforts recognized widely as the catalyst. The atmosphere at the historic venue immediately felt like a long-awaited homecoming, yet speculation grew about whether NASCAR rushed to host an event before Dale Jr. or another series claimed the spotlight.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Clarifies NASCAR’s Involvement on His Podcast
During a recent episode of his show, The Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. addressed rumors and directly dispelled the belief that NASCAR drove the push to revive North Wilkesboro. Instead, he provided insight into how the track’s return unfolded, emphasizing that the official sanctioning body played no part in the early revival decisions.
The Early Efforts That Sparked Attention for the Speedway
North Wilkesboro Speedway never fell entirely off the motorsports map, maintaining a presence in the Late Model circuit despite lacking modern amenities. Loyal fans kept showing up year after year, which Dale Earnhardt Jr. noticed and saw as proof that the venue deserved another chance. Rather than allow interest to wane, he seized the momentum.
The first significant step came in 2019 when Dale Jr. asked Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith to allow access for iRacing scans of the track. With Smith’s approval, Dale Jr. took a hands-on approach, working directly with the crew to ready the surface. The success of these iRacing sessions brought fresh attention to North Wilkesboro, increasing public demand for a real-world return.
The Impact of Virtual Racing and Growing Momentum
The realistic digital recreation of North Wilkesboro on iRacing sparked renewed calls to bring it back to life physically. Responding to building excitement, Marcus Smith soon authorized a CARS Tour event for the track in 2022. Named the Racetrack Revival, this event saw Dale Jr. himself compete in a Late Model, instantly boosting the event’s stature and lending urgency to the wider effort for restoration.
The impressive turnout and Dale Jr.’s visible commitment added credibility to the idea that North Wilkesboro could once more become a destination for major racing events. Soon after, the speedway secured its historic spot as the site of NASCAR’s All-Star Race during the organization’s milestone 75th anniversary season, leading to intensified restoration work.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Credits Revival Leaders and Community Support
Despite receiving much public praise, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has consistently pointed to others as the critical force behind North Wilkesboro’s revival. He especially cites Marcus Smith and the financial infusion from North Carolina’s Build Back Better fund as central drivers. On the podcast, Dale Jr. voiced his view with conviction:
“There is a lot of stuff about NASCAR in all of this that I don’t know. I don’t know everything about how they run things, and I certainly didn’t know how they felt about some things, and how these text messages have unveiled some things. But I’ll tell you what I do know, is that North Wilkesboro came back because of Marcus Smith … NASCAR, you know, they didn’t play any role.”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.
He further explained that NASCAR only involves itself once track ownership has completed renovations and submits it as ready for racing, describing the process as:
“Man, I’ve got this track back together, I want to put it on the schedule,”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.
At that point, NASCAR essentially agrees to the addition of the track without having been a motivating factor in its revival.
Dale Jr. stressed that the initiative never originated with the sanctioning body, stating:
“NASCAR never was going, ‘Guys, we gotta get Wilkesboro going,’”
– Dale Earnhardt Jr.
He made it clear that he intended no criticism toward NASCAR, instead highlighting the many unsung contributors, from state and local leaders to volunteers who worked tirelessly for years to maintain the property, even as it sat idle.
The Lasting Contributions of Community and Family
The preservation of North Wilkesboro Speedway was a community effort. Volunteers, often overlooked in big announcements, played a crucial role, with tasks as basic as keeping the grass trimmed over two decades making a significant difference. These actions, according to Dale Jr., allowed for the track’s eventual return to professional racing.
This perspective is echoed within his own family. Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, his sister, acknowledged her brother’s influence in bringing the CARS Tour event to the speedway and his decision to compete before NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports officially announced the All-Star Race. That early event brought in a crowd of 20,000, further proving that North Wilkesboro could once again shine as a premier venue.
Looking Ahead for North Wilkesboro and NASCAR
The story of the North Wilkesboro Speedway comeback serves as a powerful example of how passionate individuals, private investment, government assistance, and dedicated volunteers can resurrect a historic site. By clarifying that NASCAR was not behind the revival, Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned focus to Marcus Smith’s leadership and the ongoing commitment from everyone who rallied behind the cause. With its place secured on the national schedule, North Wilkesboro’s future now seems bright, promising more memorable races for fans, drivers, and the community alike.
