May 18, 2025, North Wilkesboro, Nc, USA: North Wilkesboro, NC USA - May 18, 2025:CHRIS BUESCHER 17 of Prosper, TX battles for position during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro, NC. North Wilkesboro USA - ZUMAa161 20250518_aaa_a161_052 Copyright: xWalterxG.xArcexSr.x

NASCAR asked to bring back Speedweeks amidst historic track's return

Jul 15, 2026, 10:30 AM CUT

As NASCAR gears up to host its first points-paying race at North Wilkesboro after nearly three decades, it has brought back attention to short-track racing. However, it has also opened up the discussion to bring back events like Speedweeks.

Traditionally held ahead of the Daytona 500, Speedweeks has long served as a celebration of racing featuring multiple divisions and events leading up to the Cup Race. But with the return of North Wilkesboro, several within the NASCAR community believe that a similar event can be held at the speedway.

While discussing the schedule for the speedway for next year on Tuesday's episode of the "Door, Bumper, Clear" podcast, co-host Karsyn Elledge lightheartedly pointed out the scheduling conflicts with the CARS Tour that would take place if O’Reilly is given a race at Wilkesboro. This led her to suggest a solution for the same.

"Speedweeks at North Wilkesboro, "she said on the podcast.

NORTH WILKESBORO, NC - MAY 21: Josh Berry 48 Hendrick Motorsports Ally Chevrolet leads Ty Gibbs 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Monster Energy Toyota during the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series All-Star Open on May 21, 2023 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230521647

Tommy Baldwin quickly backed up Elledge. He argued that the 0.625-mile speedway would be ideal to host a speed week, saying,

"That's what it needs to be. I was getting ready to say that. Wilkesboro is the perfect place to have modifieds, the late models. I mean, just start racing on Tuesday, right? Get these people engaged, and I know I've said it before, well, people don't want to do that, but this is a different area for that. This, you can't expect that IRP, but this is the hub, right?"

To further support his argument, he pointed out the community's affinity towards short-track racing.

"These are all the Bowman Gray fans. These are all the short-track little culture that we have around here, right? I'm pissed that the modifieds aren't running this week, right?" Baldwin added.

Whether NASCAR will take up this suggestion is something that remains to be seen. But for now, North Wilkesboro is at least back on the championship calendar.

NASCAR driver on North Wilkesboro Speedway's return: "They proved me wrong"

The 0.675-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway, which was first built in 1947 and originally used by the Moonshiners in the hills of North Carolina to hide from law officers, will roar back to life after nearly thirty years. Between 2023 and 2025, the track had been a host to the All-Star race.

While in an interview with USA Today, Zane Smith talked about how he felt when he saw the track before and after the cleanup. He said,

"When I saw pictures of that place originally, I'm like, there’s no way they're going to get this place to become a points-paying race in the future. And they proved me wrong. So, it's awesome. It looks great, and hopefully, we put on a show there."

The track was revived with the combined efforts of Speedway Motorsports, the State of North Carolina, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The Cup Series race, the Window World 450, will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19.

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak