North Wilkesboro Speedway

{{Motorsport venue

| Name = North Wilkesboro Speedway

| Location = 381 Speedway Lane, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, 28659

| Time = UTC−5 / UTC−4 (DST)

| Coordinates = {{coord|36|8|32|N|81|4|21|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| Logo = North_Wilkesboro_Speedway.png

| Image = North Wilkesboro Speedway 2024.svg

| image_size = 250px

| Image_caption = Oval (1947–present)

| Opened = Initial: {{Start date and age|df=yes|1947|05|18}}
Second: {{Start date and age|df=yes|2010|09|05}}
Third: {{Start date and age|df=yes|2022|08|02}}

| Closed = First: {{Start date and age|df=yes|1997|01|01}}
Second: {{Start date and age|df=yes|2011|05|10}}

| Owner = Speedway Motorsports (2007–present)
Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre (1995–2007)
Staley and Combs families (1953–1995)
Enoch Staley and the Mastin brothers (1947–1953)

| Construction_cost = {{USD}}3,000

| Capacity = 19,800 (permanent seats, expandable to 25,000)

| Events = Current:
NASCAR Cup Series
NASCAR All-Star Race (2023–present)
First Union 400 (1951–1996)
Tyson Holly Farms 400
(1949–1955, 1957–1996)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Window World 250 (1995–1996, 2023–present)
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (2023–present)
CARS Tour (2010, 2022–present)
SMART Modified Tour (1989–1992, 1996, 2024–present)
Former:
NASCAR Busch Series (1983–1985)

| Miles_first = True

| Layout1 = Oval (1947–present)

| Surface = Asphalt

| Length_km = 1.006

| Length_mi = 0.625

| Turns = 4

| Banking = Turns: 14°
Straights: 3°

| Record_time = 0:18.362

| Record_driver = {{flagicon|USA}} Kyle Larson

| Record_car = Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

| Record_year = 2024

| Record_class = NASCAR Cup

| website = {{URL|https://www.northwilkesborospeedway.com/}}

}}

North Wilkesboro Speedway is a {{Convert|0.625|mi|km|abbr=on}} paved oval short track in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The track has hosted a variety of racing events since its inaugural season of racing in 1947; primarily races sanctioned by NASCAR. The facility has a capacity of 25,000 as of 2023. North Wilkesboro Speedway is currently owned by Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI) and led by track director of operations Ronald Queen.

In the mid-1940s, local Carolinian Enoch Staley built a track near the Brushy Mountains with help from Lawson Curry, John Mastin, and the Combs family. NWS was propped up with NASCAR Cup Series races soon after with help from NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. Until the 1990s, the track was owned by the Staley and Combs families with each controlling half-interest, in the process becoming ubiquitous for its connection to NASCAR's roots relating to moonshine runners. After Enoch died in 1995 amongst an explosion of popularity for NASCAR in the 1990s, Speedway Motorsports (SMI) owner Bruton Smith and businessman Bob Bahre each bought out half interest from the families. Due to a strained relationship between the two along with the facility's reputation of lacking amenities, NWS was left desolated by 1997 to extreme local uproar. SMI later bought full control of the track in 2007. After two decades of failed attempts to revive the track by various groups, Bruton's successor, Marcus Smith, led a successful campaign to reinvigorate the track after increasing pressure from drivers and North Wilkesboro locals in the early 2020s.

Description

= Configuration =

The speedway in its current form is measured at {{Convert|0.625|mi|km}}, with 13 degrees of banking in the turns and 3 degrees of banking on the track's straightaways.{{Cite web |last=Utter |first=Jim |date=November 7, 2023 |title=Repave under way of iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway |url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/repave-north-wilkesboro-speedway-nascar-all-star/10544231/ |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=Motorsport.com |language=en |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114122210/https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/repave-north-wilkesboro-speedway-nascar-all-star/10544231/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Matherne |first=Greg |date=May 21, 2023 |title=Best bets to place before tonight's All Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway |url=https://dailydownforce.com/bets-bets-to-place-before-tonights-all-star-race-at-north-wilkesboro-speedway/ |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=The Daily Downforce |language=en-US |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010842/https://dailydownforce.com/bets-bets-to-place-before-tonights-all-star-race-at-north-wilkesboro-speedway/ |url-status=live }} The frontstretch is graded at a downhill slope and the backstretch is graded uphill,{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=April 3, 1975 |title=Thunder Road |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-thunder-road/145530048/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010840/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-thunder-road/145530048/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=40 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} which is attributed to founder Enoch Staley running out of funds when constructing the facility.{{Cite web |last=Markovich |first=Jeremy |date=April 4, 2024 |title=The Legend of the North Wilkesboro Moonshine Cave |url=https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/north-wilkesboro-speedway-nascar-moonshine-cave |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=North Carolina Rabbit Hole |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418033138/https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/north-wilkesboro-speedway-nascar-moonshine-cave |url-status=live }} NWS is also asymmetrical.

Before 1957, North Wilkesboro Speedway utilized a dirt surface. In late August of that year, developers opted to pave the track;{{Cite news |last=Lawing |first=Houston |date=June 4, 1957 |title=Exhaust Blasts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-durham-sun-exhaust-blasts/145530203/ |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Durham Sun |pages=4B |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010843/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-durham-sun-exhaust-blasts/145530203/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last1=Schoolfield |first1=Hank |date=August 30, 1957 |title=Darlington Race Is Key To Grand National Title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-darlington-race-is/145530601/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-darlington-race-is/145530601/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=31 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} it was completed by mid-September.{{Cite news |last1=Lawing |first1=Houston A. |date=September 18, 1957 |title=Exhaust Blasts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-durham-sun-exhaust-blasts/145530574/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418033145/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-durham-sun-exhaust-blasts/145530574/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=The Durham Sun |pages=4B |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

= Amenities =

North Wilkesboro Speedway is next to U.S. Route 421.{{Cite web |last=Duncan |first=Charles |date=June 17, 2021 |title=$10 million from the American Recovery Plan could help reopen the North Wilkesboro Speedway |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2021/06/17/-10-million-from-the-american-recovery-plan-could-help-reopen-the-north-wilkesboro-speedway |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=Spectrum News 1 North Carolina |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010840/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2021/06/17/-10-million-from-the-american-recovery-plan-could-help-reopen-the-north-wilkesboro-speedway |url-status=live }} As of 2023, the track has a reported capacity of 25,000 according to The Sporting News.{{Cite web |last=Brinkerhoff |first=Nick |date=May 21, 2023 |title=Inside North Wilkesboro Speedway's renovation: Cost, new capacity & more details on NASCAR's return to track |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nascar/news/north-wilkesboro-speedway-renovation-cost-details-nascar/vuugrvkcwn40d5rffxiugref |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=The Sporting News |language=en-us |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010842/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nascar/news/north-wilkesboro-speedway-renovation-cost-details-nascar/vuugrvkcwn40d5rffxiugref |url-status=live }} At its peak, NWS had a capacity of 55,000 according to a 1996 report from The Herald-Sun.

As of 2024, a currently ongoing effort by track developers to both modernize the facility and retain the vintage aesthetic of NWS is being made. As a result of it, most of the original structures built before 1996, including suites and a tower featuring a Winston Cigarettes-sponsored mural have been preserved.{{Cite web |last=Stern |first=Adam |date=May 8, 2023 |title=Racing's time capsule |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/05/08/Upfront/nascar.aspx |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424153215/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/05/08/Upfront/nascar.aspx |url-status=live }} Modern amenities, such as new SAFER barriers, lighting systems, and sewer systems have or are planned to be added to modernize the facility as part of renovations.{{Cite web |last1=Connolly |first1=Kevin |last2=Weaver |first2=Chris |date=February 23, 2023 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway renovations ahead of schedule with NASCAR All-Star Race on the horizon |url=https://myfox8.com/sports/nascar-motorsports/north-wilkesboro-speedway-renovations-ahead-of-schedule-with-nascar-all-star-race-on-the-horizon/ |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=WGHP-TV |language=en-US |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424153202/https://myfox8.com/sports/nascar-motorsports/north-wilkesboro-speedway-renovations-ahead-of-schedule-with-nascar-all-star-race-on-the-horizon/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Jule |date=July 31, 2023 |title=Last amendment for speedway work okayed |url=https://www.journalpatriot.com/news/last-amendment-for-speedway-work-okayed/article_cfbe5098-ab83-5a91-8b93-4b044116d43b.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=Wilkes Journal-Patriot |language=en |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424153203/https://www.journalpatriot.com/news/last-amendment-for-speedway-work-okayed/article_cfbe5098-ab83-5a91-8b93-4b044116d43b.html |url-status=live }}

Track history

= Beginnings, first years =

In 1945, Enoch Staley, who at the time was working numerous jobs at a variety of industries, went to watch a stock car race in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with his friend, John Mastin. According to Staley in an interview with the Winston-Salem Journal, after watching the race, "I fell in love with racing... I was hooked."{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Vincent |date=April 17, 1994 |title=A 1945 race in S.C. led one man to his calling in Wilkes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-a-1945-race-in-sc/145275913/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161106/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-a-1945-race-in-sc/145275913/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-a-1945-race-in-sc/145275924/ A8] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Soon after World War II, Staley was offered to purchase a plot of land from Lawson Curry, which Staley accepted.{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=May 23, 1995 |title=Staley, NASCAR pioneer, dies at 76 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-staley-nascar-pio/145276721/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-staley-nascar-pio/145276721/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-staley-nascar-pio/145276732/ C5] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Staley later partnered with Curry, Mastin, Jack Combs, Charlie Combs, and Bill France Sr. to build the facility,{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=April 20, 1980 |title=He Banked On NASCAR – And Reaped Benefits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-he-banked-on-nasc/145965182/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-he-banked-on-nasc/145965195/ 6D] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424153216/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-he-banked-on-nasc/145965182/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} with Enoch and France Sr. investing $1,500 (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=USD|value=1500|start_year=1945|fmt=c}}) each. Funding quickly ran out due to the cost of grading, causing the track to be shorter in distance than planned and uneven in elevation.{{Cite thesis |last=Baker |first=Andrew J. |title=When the Engines No Longer Roar: A Case Study of North Wilkesboro, N. C. and the North Wilkesboro Speedway |date=June 2005 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |degree=Master of Arts |publisher=Ohio University |url=https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/ws/send_file/send?accession=ohiou1121271618&disposition=inline}}{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Gerald |date=April 14, 1996 |title=Heap of folks would keep uphill, downhill track going |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-heap-of-folks-woul/145613653/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |work=The News & Observer |pages=15C |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160744/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-heap-of-folks-woul/145613653/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Originally, North Wilkesboro Speedway utilized a dirt surface, with developers adding a 14 ton mixture of calcium chloride and salt into the track to prevent dust.{{Cite news |date=May 12, 1947 |title=Wilkes Slates Sunday races |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-daily-record-wilkes-slates-s/145294380/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161130/https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-daily-record-wilkes-slates-s/145294380/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=Statesville Daily Record |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In interviews given by Staley, he did not expect the facility to last more than a year, stating, "back then, promoters built tracks like they might not run but one race. We were like the rest of them... We didn't know where we were going, and we didn't have any long-range plans."{{Cite news |last=Montgomery |first=Lee |date=April 9, 1996 |title=End of the road? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-end-of-the-road-part-1/145277378/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161108/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-end-of-the-road-part-1/145277378/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=The Herald-Sun |pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-end-of-the-road-part-2/145277381/ D6] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Initially, Enoch, John Mastin, and John's brother Oscar each owned some interest the facility.{{Cite news |last=Marsteller |first=Diane |date=September 29, 1996 |title=In The Dust? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-in-the-dust-part/145275952/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-in-the-dust-part/145275964/ A10] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

According to NASCAR personality Junior Johnson, unofficial races organized by local moonshiners christened the facility.{{Cite book |last=Anderson |first=J. Jay |title=North Wilkesboro: The First Hundred Years, 1890-1990 |date=January 1, 1990 |publisher=North Wilkesboro Centennial Committee |isbn=978-0962356803 |pages=237 |language=en}} Official races promoted by Bill France Sr. were later scheduled to run soon after on May 18, 1947, with officials expecting the largest crowd at a sporting event within Wilkes County, North Carolina, at the time.{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1947 |title=Stock Races Will Initiate Wilkes Track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greensboro-record-stock-races-will-i/145294446/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161119/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greensboro-record-stock-races-will-i/145294446/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=The Greensboro Record |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite web |last=White |first=Ben |date=May 5, 2023 |title=The Stars Have Won At North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.speedsport.com/nascar/nascar-cup-series/the-stars-have-won-at-north-wilkesboro/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=Speed Sport |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161115/https://www.speedsport.com/nascar/nascar-cup-series/the-stars-have-won-at-north-wilkesboro/ |url-status=live }} In its first official race, a crowd of approximately than 10,000 saw Fonty Flock win a modified feature race. Two years later, the France Sr.-founded NASCAR Strictly Stock Series (now known as the NASCAR Cup Series) ran their first races at the facility.{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1949 |title=Bob Flock Cops Stock Car Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-bob-flock-cops-st/145565169/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-bob-flock-cops-st/145565169/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=3B |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In 1953, both Mastin brothers sold their interest of NWS to Jack Combs.

= Moonshine runner connections, slow timeline of renovations =

Throughout the track's history, it became renowned for its connection to moonshine runners; a common activity within the Wilkes County area that has its roots in the American Prohibition era. The town of North Wilkesboro, considered to be the "Moonshine Capital of the World" by the 1950s, was a moonshine runner haven, with moonshine contributing a sizable part of the North Wilkesboro economy. Many within the Carolinas who participated in moonshine running were also directly involved in the formation of stock car racing, which subsequently created NASCAR.{{Cite thesis |last=Lancaster |first=Aaron Ennis |title=Chasing The Good Ol' Boys And Girls Of Wilkes County, North Carolina |date=August 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |degree=Master of Arts |publisher=Appalachian State University |url=https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/asu/f/Lancaster,%20Aaron_2013_Thesis.pdf |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420205006/http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/asu/f/Lancaster%2C%20Aaron_2013_Thesis.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Billock |first=Jennifer |date=February 10, 2017 |title=How Moonshine Bootlegging Gave Rise to NASCAR |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/how-moonshine-bootlegging-gave-rise-nascar-180962014/ |access-date=November 1, 2020 |magazine=Smithsonian Magazine |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222132844/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/how-moonshine-bootlegging-gave-rise-nascar-180962014/ |url-status=live }} In 1965, the track, along with North Wilkesboro native and former moonshine runner Junior Johnson, were featured in an Esquire article written by journalist Tom Wolfe.{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Wolfe |date=March 1, 1965 |title=The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson. Yes! |url=https://classic.esquire.com/article/share/0162ac6c-ece8-4d24-aeb2-0046fb1a4655 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Esquire |language=en-US |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424153202/https://classic.esquire.com/article/share/0162ac6c-ece8-4d24-aeb2-0046fb1a4655 |url-status=live }} The article itself is considered to be a key point in expanding the knowledge of NASCAR outside of its core Southeastern United States market.{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Bruce |date=May 27, 2018 |title=An unlikely pairing of writing, racing legends boosted NASCAR |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-an-unlikely-pairi/145967285/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-an-unlikely-pairi/145967412/ 4A] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424153201/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-an-unlikely-pairi/145967285/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

{{Quotebox

| quote = "Maybe [North Wilkesboro] already seemed like an oddity [early] because NASCAR had already started its push toward bigger, faster and longer. In the 1960s, superspeedways broke ground in Atlanta, Pocono and Talladega. By 1975, the Daytona 500 was offering a purse of more than a quarter-million dollars. North Wilkesboro (and other short tracks like Bristol, Richmond and Nashville) couldn’t even put up $50,000. Flush with cash from ticket sales, bigger tracks could offer more and build more. A sellout a Daytona meant 110,000 fans then. North Wilkesboro? Fifteen thousand."

| source = Jeremy Markovich in a 2015 SB Nation article, which in part addressed the lack of capacity and purse money for North Wilkesboro Speedway compared to larger tracks

| width = 40%

}}

NWS remained slow in improving amenities through most of its lifespan prior to the 1980s, making gradual improvements every few years. In 1955, construction started on a new concrete grandstand to replace the original wooden grandstands, with the new grandstand seating around 5,200.{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Sam |date=December 10, 1955 |title=New Stands Being Built At Tracks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-new-stands-being/145988179/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=10A |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425034215/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-new-stands-being/145988179/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} It was completed by April 1956.{{Cite news |date=April 2, 1956 |title=New Grandstand Ready For Races At Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-times-new-grandstand-ready-f/145987420/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Lincoln Times |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425034223/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-times-new-grandstand-ready-f/145987420/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Enoch announced the track's paving in June 1957; it was completed by September of that year. Four years later, renovations to the infield and the addition of 3,500 seats were made.{{Cite news |date=July 25, 1961 |title=Improvements Being Made In North Wilkesboro Track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greensboro-record-improvements-being/145988622/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Greensboro Record |pages=B6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425034223/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greensboro-record-improvements-being/145988622/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} By 1963, the facility was recorded to have 8,500 permanent seats, with a total capacity of 15,000 according to the Winston-Salem Journal.{{Cite news |date=September 22, 1963 |title=Wilkesboro Speedway Improved for Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-wilkesboro-speedwa/145904185/ |access-date=April 23, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B4 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423160605/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-wilkesboro-speedwa/145904185/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} A year after, NWS went through its first repave.{{Cite news |date=October 10, 1964 |title=Tire-Popping Race Is Possible Sunday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sentinel-tire-popping-race-is-possib/146020612/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=Twin City Sentinel |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425051944/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sentinel-tire-popping-race-is-possib/146020612/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In 1976, a 3,500-seat grandstand named in honor of Junior Johnson was constructed along with a {{Convert|1/4|mi|km}} concrete retaining wall that replaced a guardrail.{{Cite news |date=March 28, 1976 |title=North Wilkesboro Open House Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-north-wilkesboro-o/146018104/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=D10 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425051926/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-north-wilkesboro-o/146018104/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=Einstein |first=Tom |date=April 4, 1976 |title=A Lot At Stake For Pearson |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-concord-track-wil/138576257/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=C7 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112165700/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-concord-track-wil/138576257/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, efforts were made to add additional amenities and capacity to modernize NWS. At the end of the 1970s, the track surface was repaved.{{Cite news |last=Ingram |first=Jonathan |date=August 19, 1979 |title=Inflation Steps On The Accelerator |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-inflation-steps-on-the-ac/146004126/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Herald-Sun |pages=9B |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425034221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-inflation-steps-on-the-ac/146004126/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} However, by September 1980, the track surface drew complaints from drivers for its quick deterioration. At the end of the 1980 Holly Farms 400, winner Bobby Allison stated that it was a "disgrace to have to run on a track [surface] like this".{{Cite news |last=Vehorn |first=Frank |date=September 22, 1980 |title=Allison Survives |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-allison-survives/146003031/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=B4 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425034234/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-allison-survives/146003031/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} As a result, it was repaved by December of that year.{{Cite news |date=December 29, 1980 |title=Wilkes Track Re-Paved |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-wilkes-track-re-pav/146003050/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=Hickory Daily Record |pages=5B |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425034223/https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-wilkes-track-re-pav/146003050/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Eight years later, a new infield, roofed garage and a multi-purpose building were constructed in the track's infield; before, crews had to stop working when rain pelted the track due to a lack of cover.{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=September 30, 1988 |title=Track Facelift Greets Racers, Fans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-track-facelift-gr/146005718/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=5D |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425034222/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-track-facelift-gr/146005718/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In 1990, along with the addition of 3,100 seats, an electronic scoring pylon was added, replacing the last manual scoreboard on the Winston Cup Series schedule.{{Cite news |last=Hardin |first=Ed |date=April 25, 1990 |title=Computer scoring to be installed at North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-computer-scoring-to-be-i/146018647/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=B1 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425051941/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-computer-scoring-to-be-i/146018647/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |date=September 11, 1990 |title=Improvements Made At North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-improvem/146019048/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=Statesville Record & Landmark |pages=5B |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425051943/https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-improvem/146019048/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} The original West Grandstands were also expanded and renovated in 1992, with chairs replacing barren concrete tiers.{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=April 10, 1992 |title=Odds against Ford at N. Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-odds-against-ford/146019500/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=3B |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425051938/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-odds-against-ford/146019500/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |date=September 29, 1993 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway Has Storied History... |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-north-wi/145966674/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=Statesville Record & Landmark |pages=6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-north-wi/145966694/ 7] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425051935/https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesville-record-and-landmark-north-wi/145966674/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Additional suites were added three years later.{{Cite news |last=Snyder |first=Jason |date=March 23, 1995 |title=North Wilkesboro Ready For Pair Of NASCAR Events |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-north-wilkesboro-re/146016501/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=Hickory Daily Record |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425051945/https://www.newspapers.com/article/hickory-daily-record-north-wilkesboro-re/146016501/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

= Conflict between NASCAR's roots and 1990s popularity explosion =

In the mid-1990s, stock car racing oversaw a major rise in popularity.{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Martha M. |date=May 25, 1996 |title=NASCAR's Popularity Fuels A Powerful Marketing Engine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/05/26/nascars-popularity-fuels-a-powerful-marketing-engine/814c12cb-f24f-4b99-a1b5-455f8cca2bec/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 17, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} Despite NASCAR vice president of competition Mike Helton declaring that "the Cup schedule can't grow much more" in January 1995,{{Cite news |last=Luther |first=Bill |date=January 15, 1995 |title=Building track no sure bet to land Winston Cup race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-building-tra/137132571/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220202126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-building-tra/137132571/ |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |work=Knoxville News Sentinel |pages=C6 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} a boom period of developers announcing plans to build modern, high-capacity tracks in new markets such as Las Vegas, the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, and St. Louis was kickstarted. Due to this, NASCAR beat reporters began predicting that NASCAR would have to abandon longtime staples, such as NWS, in the search of newer, broader markets.{{Cite news |last=Hembree |first=Mike |date=February 12, 1995 |title=Winston Cup's overflowing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-winston-cups-overfl/137133071/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220202128/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-winston-cups-overfl/137133071/ |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |work=The Greenville News |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=January 22, 1995 |title=Growing Pains |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-growing-pains/137133343/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220202130/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-growing-pains/137133343/ |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C9 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

By the start of the 1990s, NWS was known as a vintage, dilapidated facility that lacked both basic amenities and capacity given by more modern tracks. Monte Dutton, writer for The Gaston Gazette, wrote about the lack of modern telephones for members of the press in the 1990s, stating that only four phones were available; three being rotary dials. Although eventual buyer Bob Bahre later conceded that the track was profitable, he maintained that the track could not keep up with the growing minimum purse amounts needed. The track was also lacking in capacity; although peak capacity was reported at 60,000 in 1996, according to Bahre, grandstand seats totaled to a lackluster 34,000, with Bahre stating in The News & Observer, "The Lord fed a whole city with a loaf of bread, but I don't think for one damn minute you can get 60,000 people in 34,000 seats."{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Gerald |date=April 17, 1996 |title=North Wilkesboro track owners spar |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-north-wilkesboro-t/145653800/ |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=The News & Observer |page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-north-wilkesboro-t/145653818/ 5C] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-north-wilkesboro-t/145653800/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Despite efforts to modernize NWS, drivers also began making calls for NASCAR to move into modern facilities; longtime driver Rusty Wallace declared in 1996, "we need to be at the tracks that are best for teams and sponsors... from better pit road facilities to bigger purses". In addition, the track was also near the facilities of Bristol Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, which had expanded in the 1990s.

== Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre purchase, subsequent Bruton–Bahre feud ==

Enoch Staley died on May 20, 1995. In an interview with SB Nation's Jeremy Markovich, Enoch's son, Mike, stated that after Enoch's death is when "all the buzzards came in".{{Cite web |last=Markovich |first=Jeremy |date=March 4, 2015 |title=What happens when NASCAR and moonshine leave a city behind? |url=https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2015/3/4/8126311/north-wilkesboro-speedway-after-nascar |access-date=April 14, 2024 |website=SB Nation |language=en |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409050516/https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2015/3/4/8126311/north-wilkesboro-speedway-after-nascar |url-status=live }} According to Markovich, soon after Enoch's death, motorsports businessman Bruton Smith, founder of Speedway Motorsports, Inc, (SMI), drove over to the Combs family to negotiate the sale of the Combs' half interest of the track. Having started on building the Texas Motor Speedway that year, he proposed to the family to move one of North Wilkesboro's race weekends to Texas and move the remaining race weekend to a Wednesday primetime slot. On June 20, The Charlotte Observer reported that they accepted the offer at an undisclosed price;{{Cite news |last=Jamieson |first=Sean |date=June 20, 1995 |title=Speedway Motorsports expanding |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-speedway-motorspo/145365658/ |access-date=April 14, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-speedway-motorspo/145365679/ 2D] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161119/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-speedway-motorspo/145365658/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} it was later revealed to be sold for $6.05 million according to the News & Record.{{Cite news |last=Zeller |first=Bob |date=April 4, 1996 |title=Labonte ends feud with IROC |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-christmas-lights/138576758/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=C6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112165651/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-christmas-lights/138576758/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Mike stated in interviews at the time that while he was surprised at the news,{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=June 21, 1995 |title=CMS owner buys half-share of North Wilkesboro track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-cms-owner-buys-hal/145365758/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161143/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-cms-owner-buys-hal/145365758/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C5 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} he was "fine" at the purchase. He later admitted, however, that "I couldn’t be partners with Bruton". Mary Staley, widow of Enoch, also refused to sell their family's interest of the track to Bruton. After Bruton's purchase, owner of the New Hampshire International Raceway, Bob Bahre, negotiated with the Staley family to purchase the remaining half-interest. Bahre was only interested in taking its remaining Winston Cup Series weekend, wanting to give the track back to the Staley family to run lower-tier NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races.{{Cite news |last=Zeller |first=Bob |date=January 6, 1996 |title=N.C. track is being left in the dust |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-nc-track-is-being-left/145580720/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418050338/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-nc-track-is-being-left/145580720/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-nc-track-is-being-left/145580727/ C3] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Although the Staley family expressed "pure agony" at the offer, they relented after realizing their financial situation.{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=January 4, 1996 |title=NASCAR revolution beginning |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-revolution/145579478/ |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-revolution/145579494/ 3B] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} On January 2, 1996, Bahre's purchase was officially announced, which was later revealed to be at a price of $8 million.{{Cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Tom |date=January 3, 1996 |title=Sale of track may cancel Winston Cup in North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-sale-of-track-may/145578034/ |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-sale-of-track-may/145578051/ 5B] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418050337/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-sale-of-track-may/145578034/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

At the time, the purchase led to thoughts of NWS's Winston Cup Series dates being in jeopardy.{{Cite news |last=Green Jr. |first=Ron |date=January 4, 1996 |title=A NASCAR original faces a caution flag |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-a-nascar-original/145579893/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418050358/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-a-nascar-original/145579893/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-a-nascar-original/145579920/ 6A] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Two days after Bahre's purchase, Bruton and Bahre announced while the 1996 First Union 400 would take place, the future afterward would be unknown; though, lower-tier NASCAR races were expected to be run in the future. Although Bahre stated a public desire to move the fall Winston Cup Series date to New Hampshire, he stated that both Bruton and NASCAR CEO Bill France Jr. would have to approve of it. Bruton then claimed that he had no plans to move a NWS date to Texas and stated concern for the state of Wilkes County, stating, "We need to think about the community."{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=January 5, 1996 |title=Buyout may signal end of an era at aging NWS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-buyout-may-signal/145580248/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418050339/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-buyout-may-signal/145580248/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-buyout-may-signal/145580257/ C3] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Due to Bruton's claims, predictions were made that the September race, the 1996 Tyson Holly Farms 400, would still run, with Texas gaining a race weekend later that year in November.{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=January 13, 1996 |title=Will Winston Cup stay at North Wilkesboro? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-will-winston-cup-s/145610346/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-will-winston-cup-s/145610366/ C6] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160725/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-will-winston-cup-s/145610346/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Bahre later claimed that although he had scheduled meetings with Bruton over the approval, Bruton had not contacted him back by January 6; he also stated that he did not know Bruton's plans of leaving the track's September date.{{Cite news |last1=Mulhurn |first1=Mike |date=January 7, 1996 |title=A STIR: Bahre's buy puts scare into N.C. race fans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-a-stir-bahres-bu/145610230/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160724/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-a-stir-bahres-bu/145610230/ |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C11 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In February, Bruton reaffirmed his attentions to keep the September date by proposing the idea of a single-day race weekend; however, he still had not met with Bahre.{{Cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Gerald |date=February 15, 1996 |title=The eyes of Texas are on NASCAR |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-the-eyes-of-texas/145612303/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160732/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-the-eyes-of-texas/145612303/ |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |work=The News & Observer |pages=5C |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Gerald |date=February 23, 1996 |title=Pontiacs expect better at the Rock |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-pontiacs-expect-be/145612613/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160727/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-pontiacs-expect-be/145612613/ |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |work=The News & Observer |pages=3C |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} By mid-April, Charlotte Observer writer Tom Higgins reported that the September race was most likely going to be run.{{Cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Tom |date=April 12, 1996 |title=N. Wilkesboro rumors are just that |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-wilkesboro-rum/145613239/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160730/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-wilkesboro-rum/145613239/ |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=6B |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

{{Quotebox

| quote = "Bruton says he’s made me an offer and the ball’s in my court. Well, the ball’s not in my court because I won’t accept any offer he gives me anyway. He did make an offer, but we told him no, or rather we told his attorney. He’s not going to buy my half because I didn’t buy it to sell. I won’t sell it if he gave me $50 million. I didn’t buy it to sell. I bought it to move a date up here to New Hampshire."

| source = Bob Bahre's comments on his resistance to sell his interest to Bruton Smith, April 11, 1996{{Cite news |last1=Mulhurn |first1=Mike |date=April 12, 1996 |title=HELP! Bahre wants to get Wilkesboro deal settled |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-help-bahre-wants/145613312/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160801/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-help-bahre-wants/145613312/ |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-help-bahre-wants/145613354/ C6] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

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Bahre stated on April 11 a reluctance to sell his interest to Bruton, saying, "Bruton is pretty bitter about [my purchase]"... I won't accept any offer he gives me." At the 1996 First Union 400, the duo met for the first time in more than two months; although they stated intents on running the Holly Farms 400, they did not clarify NWS or Texas' future in remaining on the Winston Cup Series schedule.{{Cite news |last1=Zeller |first1=Bob |date=April 15, 1996 |title=North Wilkesboro racing future yet to be decided |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-north-wilkesboro-racing/145642585/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160729/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-north-wilkesboro-racing/145642585/ |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=C3 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last1=Mulhurn |first1=Mike |date=April 15, 1996 |title=Bahre, Smith leave North Wilkesboro with problems unresolved |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-smith-leave/145614274/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160728/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-smith-leave/145614274/ |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C6 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} The Holly Farms 400 was later confirmed to run on April 24,{{Cite news |last=Zeller |first=Bob |date=April 24, 1996 |title=Holly Farms 400 will remain in North Wilkesboro this year |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-holly-farms-400-will-rem/145655558/ |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=News & Record |page=D4 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160752/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-holly-farms-400-will-rem/145655558/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} with France Jr. vetoing Bahre's offer to move the race to New Hampshire within the 1996 season due to time restraints within the month.{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=April 30, 1996 |title=France vetoes deal to move fall NWB race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-france-vetoes-deal/145682837/ |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |page=C5 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160723/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-france-vetoes-deal/145682837/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In May, although Bahre had engaged in multiple previous meetings with Bruton's close associate, Humpy Wheeler, no agreement between him and Bruton was made. Bahre accused Bruton of holding up the agreement because Bruton did not want a balanced deal, instead wanting to own full interest of the track to obtain full control of NWS' two Winston Cup Series dates.{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=May 30, 1996 |title=Bahre says 'partner' is dragging feet on deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-says-partne/145683006/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C5 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045844/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-says-partne/145683006/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} However, in late-June, the two finally came to an agreement, with the duo stating hopes to jointly announce their intentions in the coming weeks.{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Gerald |date=June 23, 1996 |title=Wilkesboro could lose Cup race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-wilkesboro-could-l/145683245/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |work=The News & Observer |pages=14C |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045807/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-wilkesboro-could-l/145683245/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Before the official announcement, predictions arose that North Wilkesboro would lose both of its dates, with its spring date moving to Texas and its fall date moving to New Hampshire pending approval from France Jr.{{Cite news |last=Zeller |first=Bob |date=June 26, 1996 |title=NASCAR chief facing another tough decision |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-nascar-chief-facing-anot/145683400/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=C4 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045812/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-nascar-chief-facing-anot/145683400/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=July 7, 1996 |title=HOT DATES: '97 Cup schedule shaping up for Texas, Loudon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-hot-dates-97-cup/145683699/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045800/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-hot-dates-97-cup/145683699/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

On July 9, The Charlotte Observer reported that an unnamed source related to NASCAR confirmed NASCAR's decision to move the spring NWS date to Texas.{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=July 9, 1996 |title=N. Wilkesboro losing April date to Texas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-wilkesboro-los/145683731/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045909/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-wilkesboro-los/145683731/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Bahre reported a day later that after negotiations with France Jr. that "things are going to work out".{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=July 11, 1996 |title=Bahre waits for OK on 2nd race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-waits-for-ok/145683782/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C3 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045824/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-waits-for-ok/145683782/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} The next day, both Bruton and Bahre, in separate press conferences, confirmed NASCAR's decision to move NWS' Winston Cup Series races to their respective facilities, ending all top-tier series racing at the facility. NASCAR did state plans of running lower-tier races at NWS to keep the facility open.{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=July 12, 1996 |title=North Wilkesboro loses Winston Cup dates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145683797/ |access-date=April 20, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145683814/ 7B] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045759/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145683797/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} At the time, many within the industry met the decision with a reluctant acceptance for the move, finding it necessary to continue NASCAR's "progress" of expansion.{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Gerald |date=July 14, 1996 |title=NASCAR hits the throttle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-nascar-hits-the-th/145791197/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=The News & Observer |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-nascar-hits-the-th/145791248/ 3C] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045811/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-nascar-hits-the-th/145791197/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=July 18, 1996 |title=Changes create questions about track's future |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-changes-create-que/145791280/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-changes-create-que/145791300/ C5] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045757/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-changes-create-que/145791280/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Immediately after the purchase, however, the future of any NASCAR racing at NWS was met with doubt due to Bahre and Bruton's relationship, entering a bitter dispute because both wanted full control of the facility for themselves. Bruton then threatened to shut down the track if he didn't obtain full control;{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=July 17, 1996 |title=Track owners Smith, Bahre continue their feud |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-track-owners-smith/145790942/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-track-owners-smith/145790964/ C3] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045808/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-track-owners-smith/145790942/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} he later backtracked on his comment, stating that he was willing to "preserve some things at North Wilkesboro".{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Gerald |date=July 19, 1996 |title=North Wilkesboro in limbo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-north-wilkesboro-i/145791553/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=The News & Observer |pages=5C |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045801/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-north-wilkesboro-i/145791553/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} However, by September, NASCAR spokesman Kevin Triplett stated that the organization had no plans to schedule lower-tier NASCAR races at the facility because both owners did not ask for them.{{Cite news |last=Marsteller |first=Duane |date=September 11, 1996 |title=Area officials racing to save tradition |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-area-officials-rac/145794991/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-area-officials-rac/145795015/ B6] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045901/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-area-officials-rac/145794991/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} A group led by Junior Johnson was formed that month in a last-ditch effort to purchase the facility,{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=September 20, 1996 |title=N. Wilkesboro track attracts bids |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-wilkesboro-tra/145795095/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=8B |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045900/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-wilkesboro-tra/145795095/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} but Bahre refused to accept the offer. Bahre stated hopes of selling his share of the facility back to the Staley family, but he was only willing to do so on the condition that Bruton did the same.{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=September 26, 1996 |title=Bahre hoping for local dates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-hoping-for-l/145818850/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-hoping-for-l/145818863/ C10] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045806/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-hoping-for-l/145818850/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

== Era of abandon ==

NWS' final points-paying Winston Cup Series race, the 1996 Tyson Holly Farms 400, ran on September 29, 1996.{{Cite news |last=Bonnell |first=Rick |date=September 30, 1996 |title=Big-time racing takes its last lap at old-time North Wilkesboro track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-big-time-racing-t/145822608/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-big-time-racing-t/145822630/ 5A] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045751/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-big-time-racing-t/145822608/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Two months later, NASCAR released their 1997 season schedules for the Busch and Craftsman Truck Series; NWS was left off both of them. Though the track was essentially considered defunct, Bahre still stated hopes of hosting some type of local racing at the facility, with Bahre accusing Bruton of an attempt to "throw the Staleys under the bus".{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=November 7, 1996 |title=Stalemate continues at North Wilkesboro track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-stalemate-continue/145824345/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-stalemate-continue/145824365/ C8] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045904/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-stalemate-continue/145824345/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} After a failed stockholders' meeting on December 19, on January 3, 1997, the Winston-Salem Journal reported that the facility was officially closed with all employees being laid off; the only exception was longtime employee Paul Call, who was designated as a caretaker after he begged Bruton and Bahre for a deal to live on the property.{{Cite news |last=Marsteller |first=Duane |date=January 3, 1997 |title=Roar of engines won't be heard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-roar-of-engines-wo/145824598/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B2 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045803/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-roar-of-engines-wo/145824598/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In February, Bahre relaxed his position on selling his interest, stating that he "probably" would if the Staley family gave him approval.{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=February 19, 1997 |title=Bahre, Smith still deadlocked over track at North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-smith-still/145826093/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C3 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045804/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-bahre-smith-still/145826093/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} The next month, parts of the facility were damaged in a windstorm, kickstarting the facility's deterioration.{{Cite news |last=Holmes |first=William L. |date=March 7, 1997 |title=The Day After |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-the-day-after-par/145826357/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-the-day-after-par/145826375/ 4A] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045756/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-the-day-after-par/145826357/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Three months later, SMI leadership stated hopes of holding a charity Busch Series race at NWS;{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=June 12, 1997 |title=Racing Notebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-notebook/145828385/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045916/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-notebook/145828385/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} the proposal, however, was considered dead by July according to Bahre.{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=July 14, 1997 |title=North Wilkesboro issue is dead in Bahre's book |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-north-wilkesboro-i/145828412/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045810/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-north-wilkesboro-i/145828412/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} The owners later sold off the track's equipment the following year.{{Cite news |last=Sparks |first=Jim |date=March 22, 1998 |title=Track Trucks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-track-trucks/145828543/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B2 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045754/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-track-trucks/145828543/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

Updates on the facility remained at a slow pace afterward, with the track continuing to deteriorate. In 1999, both owners petitioned the North Carolina Property Tax Commission to reduce the track's tax value because it was "outdated".{{Cite news |last=Marsteller |first=Duane |date=July 15, 1999 |title=Speedway owners ask panel to cut track's assessed value |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedway-owners-as/145829006/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedway-owners-as/145829066/ B6] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045932/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedway-owners-as/145829006/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} That same year, Bruton stated to The Charlotte Observer stated that as long as he did not have full control over the speedway, he would not do anything to revive it, stating, "[SMI] only own[s] 50 percent and we’re not going to use our wonderful assets — our people — for something that we only own 50 percent of."{{Cite news |last=Poole |first=David |date=August 29, 1999 |title=Interview with the empire: Smith, SMI move forward |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-interview-with-th/145829346/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=10H |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045906/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-interview-with-th/145829346/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} By August 1999, according to Bahre, he and Bruton had not talked to each other in a year and a half.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Jason |date=August 29, 1999 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway remains quiet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-herald-north-wilkesboro-speedwa/145829360/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=The News Herald |pages=4B |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Media General News Service |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045940/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-herald-north-wilkesboro-speedwa/145829360/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Two years later, hopes of reviving the track under joint ownership were reported to be essentially dead; Bahre stated in an interview that although he saw the possibility of the track's revival, it was "probably going to be after Bruton and I are in heaven or hell".{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2001 |title=A Thundering Silence |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-a-thundering-silen/145829741/ |access-date=April 21, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B6 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045912/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-a-thundering-silen/145829741/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In early 2003, Johnson stated renewed interest of purchasing the track to run lower-series racing or to redesignate it as a testing facility;{{Cite news |last=Poole |first=David |date=January 5, 2003 |title=Series surfaces to pair drivers with idle cars |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-series-surfaces-t/145843726/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=3F |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170123/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-series-surfaces-t/145843726/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} however, the possibility of a sale was shot down by Bruton, who thought that the amount of money required to revive it was too much, stating that it was "fast returning to the earth".{{Cite news |last=Poole |first=David |date=January 23, 2003 |title=Wheeler sees future light for The Winston |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-wheeler-sees-futu/145843751/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=3C |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170123/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-wheeler-sees-futu/145843751/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Later that year, a petition organized by real-estate agent Robert Glen that proposed to condemn the track so the Wilkes County government could sell it to an investor through eminent domain got 3,312 signatures;{{Cite news |last=Sparks |first=Jim |date=October 22, 2003 |title=Petition cites the need for speedway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-petition-cites-the/145844096/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-petition-cites-the/145844117/ A11] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170202/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-petition-cites-the/145844096/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} it was rejected.

{{Quotebox

| quote = "There are some tracks that need to be scrapped. And maybe the sport would be better off if those events were held somewhere else. North Wilkesboro Speedway was old, old, old. Decrepit. Had no sewer system. The track was worn out. And NASCAR was very appreciative of closing it. They wanted it closed. Maybe there are another one or two tracks that need to be closed, too."

| source = Bruton Smith's comments upon purchasing full interest of North Wilkesboro Speedway, November 3, 2007

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In October 2004, the track hosted a private test session for NASCAR team Roush Racing; the first activities for the facility in over eight years.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=October 26, 2004 |title=Fans recall the good old race days |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-fans-recall-the-go/145845677/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-fans-recall-the-go/145845689/ B6] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170125/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-fans-recall-the-go/145845677/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=Parsons |first=Keith |date=November 4, 2004 |title=Star search |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-star-search/145846328/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=The Herald-Sun |pages=D5 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170148/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-star-search/145846328/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} In May 2005, two North Wilkesboro city commissioners proposed a long-shot proposal to place the newly-announced NASCAR Hall of Fame at NWS despite the city of North Wilkesboro not being on the shortlist of finalists for a location.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=May 25, 2005 |title=N. Wilkesboro spins wheels on NASCAR Hall of Fame |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-n-wilkesboro-spin/145846996/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-n-wilkesboro-spin/145847011/ B7] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170130/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-n-wilkesboro-spin/145846996/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} A month later, another petition, this time organized by Robert Marsden under the name Save the Speedway (STS), drew around 2,000 online signatures.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=June 21, 2005 |title=In Neutral |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-in-neutral-part-1/145847129/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-in-neutral-part-2/145847159/ B5] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170143/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-in-neutral-part-1/145847129/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Bruton later proposed an offer to the Wilkes County government for $12 million for full interest pending Bahre's approval, which Bahre stated that he would most likely agree to. STS stated hopes that the county would later lease the track to them after they purchased.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=December 12, 2005 |title=Speedway's future is a design without money |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedways-future/145848395/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedways-future/145848424/ A8] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170203/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedways-future/145848395/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} STS later announced in 2006 that an unnamed investor committed $1 million to the proposal;{{Cite news |last=Poole |first=David |date=January 19, 2006 |title=Ka-ching! Sound needed to revive track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-ka-ching-sound-n/145848671/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-ka-ching-sound-n/145848714/ 2C] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170121/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-ka-ching-sound-n/145848671/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} however, the investor parted ways the next month, sending them "back to square one".{{Cite news |last=Poole |first=David |date=February 17, 2006 |title='06 prospects dim for North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-06-prospects-dim/145848800/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=10C |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422170131/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-06-prospects-dim/145848800/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Another offer made within in the year by a group led by Worth Mitchell was also proposed.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=September 29, 2007 |title=Comeback Time? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-comeback-time-pa/145850791/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-comeback-time-pa/145850826/ B3] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422203144/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-comeback-time-pa/145850791/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} However, by November, Bruton, albeit reluctantly, bought out Bahre's control of the track as part of a package deal in purchasing the New Hampshire International Raceway when Bahre retired from the motorsports business.{{Cite news |last=Mulhurn |first=Mike |date=November 3, 2007 |title=Smith purchases Bahre's New Hampshire track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-smith-purchases-ba/145855690/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=C3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-smith-purchases-ba/145855711/ C5] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422201536/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-smith-purchases-ba/145855690/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Bruton later stated plans that hinted at the track's demolition. Two years after Bruton's purchase, he approved a short-term lease to Georgian racing promoter Charles Collins, who aimed to produce a reality television show and start a women-only racing series at the facility.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=February 26, 2009 |title=TV and racing at Wilkes speedway? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-tv-and-racing-at-w/145859211/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-tv-and-racing-at-w/145859227/ B5] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422201535/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-tv-and-racing-at-w/145859211/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} However, in July 2009, Collins was arrested and jailed by Wilkes County police, with Collins being charged on five felonies.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=July 8, 2009 |title=Racing promoter in jail |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-promoter-in/145859447/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-promoter-in/145859494/ B5] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422203145/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-promoter-in/145859447/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=April 23, 2010 |title=Would-be track promoter is convicted in Wilkes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-would-be-track-pro/145862044/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-would-be-track-pro/145862085/ A8] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423054825/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-would-be-track-pro/145862044/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

= Short-lived revival, Paul Call efforts to preserve track =

File:Chase Elliott Pro Cup Ford North Wilkesboro 2010.jpg's Pro All Star Series car at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2010. Elliott won the first race under the short-lived Alton McBride Jr.-led lease.]]

In early November 2009, an ownership group led by Alton McBride Jr. operating under the name Speedway Associates announced their intents to host USARacing Pro Cup Series races at NWS in October 2010.{{Cite news |date=November 1, 2009 |title=N. Wilkes track gates to open for 2010 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-wilkes-track-g/145859573/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=5C |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422201540/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-n-wilkes-track-g/145859573/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=November 2, 2009 |title=Racing will return to North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-will-return/145859643/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-will-return/145859697/ A9] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422203143/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-will-return/145859643/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} The group obtained a three-year lease from Bruton, and was viewed initially as a positive, legitimate offer by the Wilkes Economic Development Corporation.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=November 6, 2009 |title=Speedway deal looks solid |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedway-deal-look/145860071/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedway-deal-look/145860094/ A7] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423054810/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-speedway-deal-look/145860071/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} By November 10, events sanctioned by the American Speed Association (ASA) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) were also added.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=November 11, 2009 |title=Back on Track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-back-on-track-par/145860107/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-back-on-track-par/145861267/ A9] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423054814/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-back-on-track-par/145860107/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} However, in January 2010, Don Alexander, the director of Wilkes Economic Development, found out that McBride Jr. was involved in several bouts of legal issues, including bankruptcy and marriage issues. Despite this, Alexander pledged his support to McBride Jr.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=January 24, 2010 |title=Past flew under radar |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-past-flew-under-ra/145861861/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-past-flew-under-ra/145861881/ A4], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-past-flew-under-ra/145861925/ A5] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423054857/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-past-flew-under-ra/145861861/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} The track held its first activities in May of that year, hosting a movie premiere and amateur racing.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=May 15, 2010 |title=Racing cranks up at Wilkes speedway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-cranks-up-a/145862262/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-cranks-up-a/145862288/ A7] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423054836/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-racing-cranks-up-a/145862262/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Four months later, NWS held its first official races in over 14 years, with Chase Elliott winning a PASS event.{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Tommy |date=September 10, 2010 |title=Young Elliott gets latest win at old track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-young-elliott-gets/145892882/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=B6 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423054836/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-young-elliott-gets/145892882/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} After holding a one-off PASS race in April 2011, on May 10, McBride announced the second closure of the facility due to a lack of funding. STS, who had worked with McBride Jr. until April, stated that McBride Jr. had "alienated volunteers and the local power structure".{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Monte |date=May 11, 2011 |title=Failure blamed on money woes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-failure-blamed-on/145893190/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-failure-blamed-on/145893198/ A7] |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423054831/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-failure-blamed-on/145893190/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Years after the closure, McBride Jr. blamed the local government for the closure, claiming that the city council refused to give him an annual investment that he claims they promised. He stated in Autoweek, "[North Wilkesboro] Mayor [Robert] Johnson was the only guy to have my back when the council started pelting us with their shit. He fought them off just so I could get to work on the track. I can’t say anything bad about the man. It’s just politics. It ruins everything and ruined what we had at North Wilkesboro."{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Matt |date=September 21, 2016 |title=Remembering North Wilkesboro Speedway 20 Years After Its Last NASCAR Cup Race |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a1854661/remembering-north-wilkesboro-speedway-20-years-after-its-last-nascar-cup-race/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=Autoweek |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110213659/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a1854661/remembering-north-wilkesboro-speedway-20-years-after-its-last-nascar-cup-race/ |url-status=live }}

NWS fell into continued disrepair for the rest of the 2010s. An aging Paul Call, the only person who worked at the track, was limited to mowing the grass at the track's property in his efforts to preserve the facility. Call occasionally also let tourists into the facility and acted as a tour guide and storyteller if he was asked while mowing or at his motorhome.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Dustin |date=May 21, 2023 |title=North Wilkesboro's heartbeat: Caretaker's kindness created lasting memories |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/north-wilkesboros-heartbeat-caretakers-kindness-created-lasting-memories |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423052751/https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/north-wilkesboros-heartbeat-caretakers-kindness-created-lasting-memories |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Jule |date=November 28, 2023 |title=Speedway's one-man welcome center dies |url=https://www.journalpatriot.com/opinion/speedways-one-man-welcome-center-dies/article_ae34003d-fd32-5768-8c5c-f4b7a8abd9bc.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=Wilkes Journal-Patriot |language=en |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423052752/https://www.journalpatriot.com/opinion/speedways-one-man-welcome-center-dies/article_ae34003d-fd32-5768-8c5c-f4b7a8abd9bc.html |url-status=live }} However, Call's preservation efforts were insurmountable to the deterioration of NWS; by 2015, buildings on the site had completely caved in, the Junior Johnson grandstands collapsed, and several suites were damaged. In 2017, the track, which was viewed as abandoned and desolate, was paid homage to in the movie Cars 3 when NWS served as the inspirational basis for the fictional Thomasville Speedway.{{Cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Mark |date=May 22, 2017 |title='Cars 3' Will Pay Tribute To Abandoned 'Ghost' Tracks |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a1821721/cars-3-will-pay-tribute-abandoned-ghost-tracks/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=Autoweek |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423052751/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a1821721/cars-3-will-pay-tribute-abandoned-ghost-tracks/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Haislop |first=Tadd |date=July 15, 2017 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway, a famous NASCAR ghost, brought back to life in 'Cars 3' |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/motorsports/news/north-wilkesboro-speedway-cars-3-nascar-track-disney-pixar/1luhx6lom6mt71q8surp24k4z4 |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=The Sporting News |language=en-au |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423052751/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/motorsports/news/north-wilkesboro-speedway-cars-3-nascar-track-disney-pixar/1luhx6lom6mt71q8surp24k4z4 |url-status=live }} The next year, STS spokesman Steven Wilson stated renewed interest at restoring the facility; chances of it ever happening, however, were viewed as non-likely.{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=Dave |date=April 5, 2018 |title=The Drive To Bring Sentimental Journeys Back To A Beloved NASCAR Racetrack |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davecaldwell/2018/04/05/why-a-beloved-nascar-racetrack-might-not-provide-a-sentimental-journey/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405212917/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davecaldwell/2018/04/05/why-a-beloved-nascar-racetrack-might-not-provide-a-sentimental-journey/ |url-status=live }}

= Marcus Smith-led revival attempt =

In September 2019, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. talked to Bruton's successor, Marcus Smith, about the possibility of digitally preserving the facility. A physical renovation, however, was seen as an extreme long-shot due to the track's condition, which had deteriorated so much that writer Jordan Bianchi wrote that "the facility is closer to being condemned than anything else. It would require an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars to bring North Wilkesboro up to par, and that is simply not realistic."{{Cite web |last=Bianchi |first=Jordan |date=May 9, 2020 |title=In the real world, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and friends grab weed-eaters to help preserve North Wilkesboro Speedway 'in the virtual world' |url=https://theathletic.com/1447720/2020/05/09/in-the-real-world-dale-earnhardt-jr-and-friends-grab-weed-eaters-to-help-preserve-north-wilkesboro-speedway-in-the-virtual-world/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=The Athletic |language=en |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110210649/https://theathletic.com/1447720/2020/05/09/in-the-real-world-dale-earnhardt-jr-and-friends-grab-weed-eaters-to-help-preserve-north-wilkesboro-speedway-in-the-virtual-world/ |url-status=live }} Three months later, Earnhardt organized a track cleanup to remove weeds as part of an effort for racing simulator iRacing and its developers to scan the track.{{Cite web |last=Walters |first=Shane |date=December 10, 2019 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway cleaned by Dale Earnhardt Jr |url=https://racingnews.co/2019/12/10/north-wilkesboro-speedway-cleaned-by-dale-earnhardt-jr/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=Racing News |language=en-US |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161116/https://racingnews.co/2019/12/10/north-wilkesboro-speedway-cleaned-by-dale-earnhardt-jr/ |url-status=live }} The scan was eventually completed and added to the simulator by May 2020.{{Cite news |last=Andrejev |first=Alex |date=May 9, 2020 |title=Racers return to historic North Wilkesboro for iRacing finale |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-racers-return-to/145325422/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=8A |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} In March 2021, Barry Braun, owner of a racing streaming service, met Marcus and proposed the idea to run dirt races at the facility.{{Cite web |last=McFadin |first=Daniel |date=June 8, 2022 |title=A Legendary Track Returns |url=https://www.speedsport.com/premium/a-legendary-track-returns/ |access-date=April 14, 2024 |website=Speed Sport |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161115/https://www.speedsport.com/premium/a-legendary-track-returns/ |url-status=live }} Within the month, Marcus stated on a podcast episode of The Dale Jr. Download that he was considering ways to revitalize the facility and that "we haven't given up on it", although "no promises" were made.{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Matt |date=April 9, 2021 |title='We Haven't Given Up On North Wilkesboro,' Says Marcus Smith |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a36081027/nascar-north-wilkesboro-comeback-dale-jr-marcus-smith/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=Autoweek |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110212156/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a36081027/nascar-north-wilkesboro-comeback-dale-jr-marcus-smith/ |url-status=live }} Two months later, the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce began handing out flyers in support of the track's return to the NASCAR calendar. That same month, businessman Marcus Lemonis also pledged a $1 million investment for the track's revival.{{Cite web |last=Epley |first=Justin |date=May 7, 2021 |title=Support of locals, Lemonis latest momentum for North Wilkesboro Speedway |url=https://morganton.com/sports/local/support-of-locals-lemonis-latest-momentum-for-north-wilkesboro-speedway/article_75de5ab8-af79-11eb-ae5e-1f51a3ce5856.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=The News Herald |language=en |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110210653/https://morganton.com/sports/local/support-of-locals-lemonis-latest-momentum-for-north-wilkesboro-speedway/article_75de5ab8-af79-11eb-ae5e-1f51a3ce5856.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Matt |date=May 8, 2021 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway Revival Gets Big Momentum, Big Benefactor |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a36372136/north-wilkesboro-speedway-revival-gets-big-momentum-big-benefactor/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=Autoweek |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110210652/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a36372136/north-wilkesboro-speedway-revival-gets-big-momentum-big-benefactor/ |url-status=live }}

That same month, Roy Cooper, the Governor of North Carolina, began considering a COVID-19 relief economic package that would give $10 million to the government of Wilkes County to repair the facility.{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Matt |date=May 19, 2021 |title=North Carolina Proposes $10 Million To Rockingham, North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a36479990/north-carolina-proposes-dollar10-million-to-rockingham-north-wilkesboro/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=Autoweek |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425162612/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a36479990/north-carolina-proposes-dollar10-million-to-rockingham-north-wilkesboro/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Andrejev |first=Alex |date=May 30, 2021 |title=State considers new funding for Coke 600, other NC motorsports |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-state-considers-n/138458619/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110212152/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-state-considers-n/138458619/ |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-state-considers-n/138458745/ 4B] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} By August, the amount increased to $20 million.{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Matt |date=August 12, 2021 |title=North Carolina Budget Proposal Includes Rockingham, North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a37297127/north-carolina-budget-proposal-includes-rockingham-north-wilkesboro/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=Autoweek |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425162615/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a37297127/north-carolina-budget-proposal-includes-rockingham-north-wilkesboro/ |url-status=live }} A renewed sense of hope rang through Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, with commissioner Eddie Settle giving an "optimistic" prediction that racing would resume at the facility by July 2022; a major boost to the financially riddled Wilkes County, which had seen most of its economic bloodlines abandon the county in the years following Bruton's purchase of the track.{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Andrew |date=October 10, 2021 |title=NASCAR abandoned North Wilkesboro, but the town has hope |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-abandoned/145333617/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161134/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-abandoned/145333617/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-abandoned/145333629/ 8A], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-abandoned/145333642/ 9A] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} The funding was finalized to be voted on by the North Carolina General Assembly in November, with the final amount totaling to $18 million;{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Brian |date=November 16, 2021 |title=What policies, projects made it into state budget? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-what-policies-pr/138458808/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110212153/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-what-policies-pr/138458808/ |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=10A |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} the budget proposal passed within the month.{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Chris |date=November 20, 2021 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway will have races again; NC budget sets aside millions for motorsports |url=https://myfox8.com/sports/north-wilkesboro-speedway-will-have-races-again-nc-budget-sets-aside-millions-for-motorsports/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=WGHP-TV |language=en-US |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328143642/https://myfox8.com/sports/north-wilkesboro-speedway-will-have-races-again-nc-budget-sets-aside-millions-for-motorsports/ |url-status=live }} Soon after, SMI began construction and the demolition of dilapidated buildings within the facility.{{Cite web |last=Walters |first=Shane |date=November 25, 2021 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway construction begins |url=https://racingnews.co/2021/11/25/north-wilkesboro-speedway-construction-begins/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=Racing News |language=en-US |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161109/https://racingnews.co/2021/11/25/north-wilkesboro-speedway-construction-begins/ |url-status=live }} Smith unveiled revitalization plans and conceptual drawings in January 2022, stating that there was a "real possibility" of the facility being awarded a third-tier NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race weekend.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Dustin |date=January 21, 2022 |title=Marcus Smith: 'The future of North Wilkesboro Speedway is bright' |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/marcus-smith-the-future-of-north-wilkesboro-speedway-is-bright |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161110/https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/marcus-smith-the-future-of-north-wilkesboro-speedway-is-bright |url-status=live }}

== Resumption of major racing ==

On April 16, 2022, Smith announced the resumption of racing at the facility, scheduling two multi-class grassroots events throughout the months of August and October of that year, with the latter event being run on dirt.{{Cite news |last=Andrejev |first=Alex |date=April 17, 2022 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway gets auto racing back summer 2022 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/138461374/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110212155/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/138461374/ |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=2B |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Within the month, developers added electrical and internet systems, along with demolishing old suites and other general repairs.{{Cite web |last=Markovich |first=Jeremy |date=April 28, 2022 |title=The inside story of how a dead NASCAR track finally reopened after 26 years |url=https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/north-wilkesboro-speedway-returns-nascar |access-date=April 14, 2024 |website=North Carolina Rabbit Hole |language=en}} Racing resumed as scheduled, albeit with limited amenities and infrastructure, on August 2, with an estimated 9,000 people attending the first event.{{Cite web |last=Bianchi |first=Jordan |date=August 3, 2022 |title=At North Wilkesboro Speedway, an unlikely revival brings racing back to a beloved track |url=https://theathletic.com/3474271/2022/08/03/north-wilkesboro-speedway-revival/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=The Athletic |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161110/https://theathletic.com/3474271/2022/08/03/north-wilkesboro-speedway-revival/ |url-status=live }} Later events saw increased attendance;{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Dustin |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Friday 5: North Wilkesboro Speedway's return reinvigorates community |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/friday-5-north-wilkesboro-speedways-return-reinvigorates-community-dale-earnhardt-chase-elliott-kyle-larson-noah-gragson-richard-petty |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161111/https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/friday-5-north-wilkesboro-speedways-return-reinvigorates-community-dale-earnhardt-chase-elliott-kyle-larson-noah-gragson-richard-petty |url-status=live }} however, the dirt October races were cancelled.{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Luke |date=September 7, 2022 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway announces cancellation of October dirt races |url=https://www.wbtv.com/2022/09/07/north-wilkesboro-speedway-announces-cancellation-october-dirt-races/ |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=WBTV |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161115/https://www.wbtv.com/2022/09/07/north-wilkesboro-speedway-announces-cancellation-october-dirt-races/ |url-status=live }} On September 7, The Athletic reported that NASCAR would move the NASCAR All-Star Race, a NASCAR Cup Series exhibition event, to NWS from Texas Motor Speedway; the track Bruton moved one of North Wilkesboro's races to.{{Cite web |last=Bianchi |first=Jordan |date=September 7, 2022 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway to host 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race |url=https://theathletic.com/3575100/2022/09/07/north-wilkesboro-speedway-2023-nascar-all-star-race/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=The Athletic |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226111347/https://theathletic.com/3575100/2022/09/07/north-wilkesboro-speedway-2023-nascar-all-star-race/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Engle |first=Greg |date=September 8, 2022 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway Comes Full Circle With Nascar All-Star Race |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregengle/2022/09/08/north-wilkesboro-speedway-comes-full-circle-with-nascar-all-star-race/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110212151/https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregengle/2022/09/08/north-wilkesboro-speedway-comes-full-circle-with-nascar-all-star-race/ |url-status=live }} The report was confirmed the next day.{{Cite news |last=Zietlow |first=Alex |date=September 9, 2022 |title=NASCAR to hold 2023 All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-to-hold-20/145439764/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425161126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-to-hold-20/145439764/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-to-hold-20/145439787/ 4B] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} More renovation announcements soon followed, including the paving of infield garage, the addition of SAFER barriers and storm drain pipes, and other repairs to amenities were reported. Developers also stated a desire to maintain an old-school aesthetic for the facility.{{Cite web |last=Utter |first=Jim |date=December 13, 2022 |title=North Wilkesboro's renovations for All-Star Race taking shape |url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/north-wilkesboro-renovations-nascar-all-star-race/10411142/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=Motorsport.com |language=en |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214092900/https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/north-wilkesboro-renovations-nascar-all-star-race/10411142/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Zietlow |first=Alex |date=December 14, 2022 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway project aims to 'hold onto history' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145470868/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417035645/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145470868/ |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145470876/ 3B] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} By February 2023, SMI leadership announced that renovations were ahead of schedule.{{Cite web |last=Hembree |first=Mike |date=February 10, 2023 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway renovations ahead of schedule |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/north-wilkesboro-speedway-renovations-ahead-of-schedule |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417035659/https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/north-wilkesboro-speedway-renovations-ahead-of-schedule |url-status=live }}

Tire tests on the reopened facility were run in late March.{{Cite web |last=Utter |first=Jim |date=March 21, 2023 |title=Truck teams the first to test on NASCAR's 'Field of Dreams' |url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/trucks-test-nascar-field-of-dreams-north-wilkesboro/10446898/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=Motorsport.com |language=en |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325034847/https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/trucks-test-nascar-field-of-dreams-north-wilkesboro/10446898/ |url-status=live }} By May of that year, Ronald Queen was named director of operations.{{Cite web |last=Paddyhote |first=Kaye |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Queen oversees revitalization of North Wilkesboro Speedway |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2023/05/23/hometown-hero |access-date=April 18, 2024 |website=Spectrum News 1 North Carolina |language=en |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420160724/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2023/05/23/hometown-hero |url-status=live }} Within the month, the NASCAR Cup Series made its return, running races in late May; the races were the first in 27 years.{{Cite news |last1=Zietlow |first1=Alex |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Larson wins in NASCAR return to North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-larson-wins-in-na/145567593/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010851/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-larson-wins-in-na/145567593/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-larson-wins-in-na/145567614/ 2B] |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live }} {{Open access}} Six months later, SMI announced the track's first repave since 1981.{{Cite web |last=Ricket |first=Madelyn |date=November 7, 2023 |title=North Wilkesboro Speedway gets repaved after over 40 years |url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/north-wilkesboro-spedway-gets-another-makeover-in-preparation-for-next-years-all-star-race/83-862ae40a-fd69-476b-a398-2bf8245a4632 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=WFMY-TV |language=en-US |archive-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108045939/https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/north-wilkesboro-spedway-gets-another-makeover-in-preparation-for-next-years-all-star-race/83-862ae40a-fd69-476b-a398-2bf8245a4632 |url-status=live }} The repave was completed by March 2024, with tire tests being run in the same month.{{Cite web |last=Utter |first=Jim |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Repaved North Wilkesboro Speedway "not even the same track" |url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/repaved-north-wilkesboro-speedway-not-even-the-same-track/10587250/ |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=Motorsport.com |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418022054/https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/repaved-north-wilkesboro-speedway-not-even-the-same-track/10587250/ |url-status=live }} In 2024, a sinkhole was found beneath a grandstand. It was later alleged as a possible moonshine cave that would have been used in the 1940s; this has been disputed due to NWS' reputation with poor drainage issues before SMI's purchase of the track.{{Cite web |last=Markovich |first=Jeremy |date=April 4, 2024 |title=The Legend of the North Wilkesboro Moonshine Cave |url=https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/north-wilkesboro-speedway-nascar-moonshine-cave |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=North Carolina Rabbit Hole |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418033138/https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/north-wilkesboro-speedway-nascar-moonshine-cave |url-status=live }}

Events

{{See also|First Union 400|Tyson Holly Farms 400|NASCAR All-Star Race|NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at North Wilkesboro|label 4=Window World 250 }}

As of 2025, NWS hosts the NASCAR All-Star Race, an annual non-points exhibition event.{{Cite web |last=Newby |first=John |date=September 28, 2023 |title=NASCAR All-Star Race returning to North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2024 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/nascar-all-star-race-returning-to-north-wilkesboro-speedway |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001205706/https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/nascar-all-star-race-returning-to-north-wilkesboro-speedway |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} The track also hosts the Window World 250, a points-paying third-tier NASCAR Truck Series support race for the All-Star Race.{{cite web |date=September 14, 2022 |title=NASCAR unveils 2023 schedule for its national series |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/09/14/nascar-unveils-2023-schedule-three-national-series/ |access-date=November 27, 2022 |website=NASCAR |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC}} Originally, the speedway held two Winston Cup Series races: the spring First Union 400 and the fall Tyson Holly Farms 400 since 1951{{Cite news |date=March 18, 1951 |title=Easter Monday Race At Winston |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-easter-monday-race-at-wi/145905187/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423160608/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-easter-monday-race-at-wi/145905187/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=4–Sports |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1951 |title=Fonty Flock Wins Feature Race at North Wilkesboro |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-fonty-flock-wins-f/145905210/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423160604/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-fonty-flock-wins-f/145905210/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=April 23, 2024 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |pages=12 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} and 1949, respectively.{{Cite news |date=October 12, 1949 |title=Greensboro's Youthful Lee Petty Leading Newcomer To Racing Ranks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-greensboros-youthful-le/145565082/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418022056/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-greensboros-youthful-le/145565082/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=News & Record |pages=2–3 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1949 |title=Bob Flock Cops Stock Car Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-bob-flock-cops-st/145565169/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418010842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-bob-flock-cops-st/145565169/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=3B |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} The two races remained annually until 1996, when both races were removed from the Cup Series calendar, with their dates being reassigned to Texas Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway, respectively.{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=July 12, 1996 |title=North Wilkesboro loses Winston Cup dates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145683797/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422045759/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145683797/ |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |access-date=April 20, 2024 |work=The Charlotte Observer |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-north-wilkesboro/145683814/ 7B] |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Lap records

As of May 2024, the fastest official race lap records at North Wilkesboro Speedway are listed as:

class="wikitable" !Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event
colspan=5 \| Oval: 0.625 mi (1947–present){{cite web \|title=North Wilkesboro - Motor Sport Magazine \|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/circuits/north-wilkesboro/ \|website=Motor Sport Magazine \|access-date=20 May 2024}}
NASCAR Cup	0:18.362{{cite web \|title=2024 NASCAR All-Star Race Fastest Laps \|url=https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-cup-series-non-championship/2024/nascar-all-star-race/stats \|date=19 May 2024 \|access-date=20 May 2024}}	Kyle Larson	Chevrolet Camaro ZL1	2024 NASCAR All-Star Race
NASCAR Truck	0:18.431{{cite web \|title=NASCAR Truck 2024 North Wilkesboro Race Fastest Laps \|url=https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-craftsman-truck-series/2024/wright-brand-250/stats \|date=19 May 2024 \|access-date=20 May 2024}}	Corey Heim	Toyota Tundra NASCAR	2024 Wright Brand 250

class="wikitable"

!Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event

colspan=5 | Oval: 0.625 mi (1947–present){{cite web |title=North Wilkesboro - Motor Sport Magazine |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/circuits/north-wilkesboro/ |website=Motor Sport Magazine |access-date=20 May 2024}}

NASCAR Cup

0:18.362{{cite web |title=2024 NASCAR All-Star Race Fastest Laps |url=https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-cup-series-non-championship/2024/nascar-all-star-race/stats |date=19 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024}}

Kyle Larson

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2024 NASCAR All-Star Race

NASCAR Truck

0:18.431{{cite web |title=NASCAR Truck 2024 North Wilkesboro Race Fastest Laps |url=https://motorsportstats.com/results/nascar-craftsman-truck-series/2024/wright-brand-250/stats |date=19 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024}}

Corey Heim

Toyota Tundra NASCAR

2024 Wright Brand 250

References

External links

{{commons category-inline|North Wilkesboro Speedway}}

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