How the rebirth of North Wilkesboro Speedway is taking shape for NASCAR All-Star Race

With the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race scheduled for May 21 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, teams are preparing to compete with hopes of winning on one of the sport’s most historic tracks.

A look back at history helps to set the stage.

Enoch Staley, John Masden and Charlie Combs began work on the unique oval in late winter of 1946 and by mid-April of 1947, were ready to start advertising their race that was scheduled for May 18. Georgia native Bob Flock won the first stock car race there against fellow moonshiners in several heat races and a 30-lap feature event in front of 10,000 fans.

The bleachers were filled to capacity as well as the infield that was framed by the downhill frontstretch and uphill backstretch. The race was held some eight months before NASCAR was formed in February of 1948.

NASCAR began racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway in October of 1949 for the eighth and final “Strictly Stock” race of the season. Alabama native Red Byron was crowned the inaugural series champion.

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From that first race in 1947 until September 29, 1996, 38 drivers won there in 93 Strictly Stock, Grand National and Winston Cup races over a period of 47 years. Three-time NASCAR championship Lee Petty enjoyed victories there in 1959 and twice in 1960. His son, Richard Petty, an eventual seven-time Cup Series champion, won 15 races at North Wilkesboro from 1962 to 1981.

Four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon won the final Cup race there for Hendrick Motorsports on a crisp fall day in ’96. While in victory lane, he told ESPN, “To be the last Winston Cup race that’s going to be here, you feel sorry, but at the same time, you’re elated to go down in history and the record books (as the last winner).”

In 2011, an effort was made to save the track by a local group of investors. They opened the track with a dream of returning it to prosperity. Drivers from the ASA Late Model Series, USARacing Pro Cup Series (formerly Hooters Pro Cup) and PASS Super Late Models raced there. The track, once repainted and spruced up by volunteers, gradually faded back into disrepair.

This past Monday, March 20, and Tuesday, March 21, six NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Cup Series drivers tested for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. prior to the upcoming NASCAR All-Star Race weekend scheduled for mid-May.