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

NASCAR schedule North Wilkesboro: Where to watch, race timing, odds, entries & more

Jul 15, 2026, 3:49 AM CUT

Points are in play at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time since Jeff Gordon’s 1996 win. The 0.625-mile short track has hosted three successful All-Star races since 2023 and earned a place back on the points-paying NASCAR schedule.

As the excitement increases around a race with real stakes heading into the Chase, here’s everything you need to know before the NASCAR grid touches down in North Wilkesboro.

It isn’t just NASCAR but also the CARS Tour, which will add to the merriment this weekend. The ZMax CARS Tour, co-owned by the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kevin Harvick, will rub rubber on the track on Thursday and Friday.

Thursday will see the CARS Tour practice, with qualifying set to begin from 6 p.m. ET to set the grid for Friday’s 6 p.m. race. The action will be broadcast on Flo Racing.

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

As for NASCAR, per its website, the action begins with the usual Truck series practice and qualifying on Friday. Practice will kick off at 2 p.m. ET and qualifying at 3:05 p.m. ET, with live action available on FS2.

Saturday’s action will begin on FS1 with the Faith Fest 250 beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET. The Truck Series race will feature four Cup Series regulars in Shane van Gisbergen, Carson Hocevar, Christopher Bell, and Chase Elliott racing for the win. The 240-lap race will be split into stages of 70, 70, and 110 laps.

Cup cars will hit the track from 5 p.m. onwards on Saturday for practice, followed by qualifying at 6:10 p.m. ET. With just six races to go before the Chase, this qualifying may be an all-important one. TruTV will broadcast the Cup practice and qualifying.

TNT takes over the show on Sunday at 6 p.m. with the pre-race show ahead of the slated 7 p.m. ET start of the Window World 450. The first stage will be 80 laps, followed by two longer stages of 185 laps each.

What’s at stake? Who’s the favorite?

With two races to go in TNT’s broadcast schedule, four Cup drivers remain in the second In-Season Challenge. Ryan Blaney goes head-to-head with Christopher Bell while Chase Elliott takes on underdog Todd Gilliland.

With a $1 million cash prize for the winner, these four drivers will be in a race within the race.

That aside, another notable titbit is that Chase Elliott, who will be driving in the Truck series for the first time since 2023, will take over the No. 7 Spire Chevrolet truck. Moreover, he will also drive in the CARS Tour race in Dale Jr.’s 8 car that Kyle Busch was slated to race in.

As Elliott runs three races in North Wilkesboro, it may make him one of the favorites to win, having bagged two wins this season.

The other contenders for the win will be championship leader Denny Hamlin, who will be looking to add to his four wins this year. Ryan Blaney, a force on short ovals, could add a third win to his tally after dominating Atlanta on Sunday. And Kyle Larson, who hasn’t won this season yet, is always a factor at short tracks.

Get your popcorn ready as short-track action returns with the regular season coming closer to the end.

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Yash Kotak