Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently clarified that NASCAR did not play a role in the revival of North Wilkesboro Speedway, which hosted the All-Star Race in 2023. His comments came during an episode of “The Dale Jr. Download,” where he addressed speculation regarding NASCAR’s involvement in bringing the historic track back into the spotlight.
The return of the All-Star Race to North Wilkesboro was met with enthusiasm from fans, drivers, and teams alike. Many credited Earnhardt Jr. for his significant efforts in revitalizing the speedway, which had long been considered a classic venue despite its lack of modern infrastructure. The track remained active in the Late Model circuit, attracting dedicated fans even when it was not a part of the NASCAR schedule.
In 2019, Earnhardt Jr. took the first steps toward revitalizing North Wilkesboro. He approached Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, requesting access to prepare the track for iRacing scans. This collaboration allowed him to be hands-on in the process, helping to improve the racing surface. His involvement led to a surge in popularity for North Wilkesboro on the iRacing platform, amplifying calls for a real-world return.
The momentum continued to grow, and in 2022, Smith approved a CARS Tour event at the venue, branded as the “Racetrack Revival.” Earnhardt Jr. participated in this event, further validating the argument that North Wilkesboro could host national-level competitions. This was a pivotal moment that strengthened the case for the track’s inclusion in NASCAR’s schedule.
By 2023, North Wilkesboro was officially selected to host the All-Star Race during NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season. Restoration efforts accelerated, yet Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that the credit for this revival should go to others. He highlighted Smith’s leadership and the financial backing from North Carolina’s Build Back Better fund as key factors in the track’s resurgence.
“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,” Earnhardt Jr. noted. “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.”
He explained that NASCAR’s involvement comes only after the track is ready for competition. When Smith indicated the track was prepared, NASCAR’s role was to simply agree to include it in the schedule. Earnhardt Jr. stressed that NASCAR was not the driving force behind the revival. “NASCAR never was going, ‘Guys, we gotta get Wilkesboro going,’” he stated.
This perspective was echoed by his sister, Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, who acknowledged her brother’s significant contributions in bringing the CARS Tour to North Wilkesboro and participating in an event that attracted 20,000 fans prior to NASCAR’s official scheduling of the All-Star Race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s insights shed light on the collaborative effort that went into revitalizing North Wilkesboro Speedway. His recognition of the community and state support illustrates how various stakeholders played crucial roles in the track’s return to prominence. The revival not only represents a personal milestone for Earnhardt Jr. but also marks a significant chapter in NASCAR’s history.
