North Wilkesboro Speedway to host NASCAR All-Star Race in May 2023
Posted September 7, 2022 11:04 p.m. EDT
Updated September 8, 2022 12:24 p.m. EDT
North Wilkesboro, N.C. — One of North Carolina's most storied tracks will host the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race.
On Thursday, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Gov. Roy Cooper, NASCAR officials and Speedway Motorsports announced plans for a week of racing activities in North Wilkesboro to coincide with the all-star race in May 2023. Tickets will go on sale later this fall.
“Motorsports are critical to North Carolina’s history, culture and economy, and our investments have helped to get the engines running again in places that needed revival,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “North Wilkesboro Speedway is back and better than ever, and the All-Star Race will take it to new heights.”
Earlier this summer, the track brought back races for the first time in more than a decade, a huge boost to the region that helped build the sport.
Last month, a big crowd gathered to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. compete in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock race in what was a celebrated, much-anticipated event for the western North Carolina community. North Wilkesboro hosted a Racetrack Revival event on Aug. 2-3.
“For decades, North Wilkesboro Speedway was at the heart of racing and tourism in Western North Carolina,” Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said. “We look forward to seeing the renaissance of this track as it transforms into a premier venue for races and events in Wilkes County.”
In May, Cooper toured the speedway with Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith, NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress and legendary NASCAR driver Harry Gant.
The American Rescue Plan allocations through the state budget set aside $18 million for infrastructure improvements at the track.
“The NASCAR All-Star Race has always been the fans’ race, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the fans during NASCAR’s 75th anniversary than returning to North Wilkesboro Speedway,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “We couldn’t have made this happen without tremendous support from so many people including Gov. Cooper, our state legislature, NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and of course, the people of Wilkes County. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’ve got the will to create something special alongside a community and hard-working staff that will get it done.”
The speedway was a dirt track when it opened in 1947. The track, boasting an oval-shaped layout of .625 miles, hosted hundreds of Winston Cup Series races until closing in 1996.
The All-Star Race was held at Charlotte Motor Speedway from 1987 to 2019.
