Nascar Cup - North Wilkesboro
North Wilkesboro
Display & Timezone
Display & Timezone
Showing times for Pacific/Auckland
Timezone
Pacific - Auckland
19 - 20 Jul
North Wilkesboro Speedway
Some session times for Nascar North Wilkesboro 2026 have not yet been finalised, they represent possible times in which each race session could occur. Please check back later for more accurate times.
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Track Info
North Wilkesboro Speedway - North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, USA
Short-track time capsule reborn - clockwise - 0.625 mi / 1.006 km oval with 4 turns - 13° turns, ~3° straights - downhill frontstretch and uphill backstretch
When was the track built?
Conceived by Enoch Staley and partners in the mid-1940s, North Wilkesboro opened in 1947 as a dirt oval carved into the Brushy Mountain foothills. Budget constraints during construction left the frontstretch lower than the backstretch, creating the unique downhill charge past the pits and the uphill pull on the back straight. The track was paved by the 1950s and became a cornerstone of NASCAR’s early national growth.
After closing following the 1996 season, the speedway began a remarkable revival in the 2020s. It hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2023 on its aged surface, then received a full repave for 2024 while preserving its classic geometry and 13° corner banking.
When was its first race?
The venue’s first race ran on May 18, 1947, a Modified event won by Fonty Flock. The track joined NASCAR’s top division two years later, staging the 1949 season finale (the Wilkes 200) won by Bob Flock.
What's the circuit like?
- Two straightaways, two attitudes: The downhill frontstretch encourages deep braking into Turn 1, while the uphill backstretch loads engines and rear tires before Turn 3.
- Old-school rhythm, new asphalt: The 2024 repave kept the classic lines but added grip and consistency, tightening packs and rewarding exit drive.
- Heavy on tire management: Even with fresh pavement, saving the right-rear over long green runs is a Wilkesboro staple.
- Benchmark pace: Sub-19-second race laps set the modern bar, with Cup and Trucks both clocking low-18s in 2024 race trim.
Lap records and benchmarks (0.625 mi oval)
- NASCAR Cup - race lap: 0:18.362 - Kyle Larson, 2024 All-Star Race.
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck - race lap: 0:18.431 - Corey Heim, 2024 Wright Brand 250.
- Historic first Cup at NWS: Oct 16, 1949 Wilkes 200 - winner Bob Flock.
Qualifying formats vary for All-Star weekend, but pit-stop qualifying and short-lap speed routinely produce sub-19-second flyers.
Why go?
North Wilkesboro is short-track soul. You get classic sightlines across the whole bowl, mechanical grip battles into both ends, and a crowd that treats every restart like a history lesson. All-Star weekend layers in showmanship with grassroots charm - it feels like NASCAR’s past and present in one place.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Frontstretch near start/finish: Watch cars dive the downhill into Turn 1, plus pit road strategy right in front of you.
- High rows in Turns 1–2: Great angle on who rolls the center and who has the drive off to win the drag up the hill.
- Turn 3 entry: Prime bump-and-run territory as drivers hustle the car at the top of the uphill before rotating to the line.
Not just one series - headline events at North Wilkesboro
NASCAR All-Star Weekend: Cup All-Star Race plus the Truck Series anchor the revival era.
Late models and touring series: CARS Tour and major late model shows have been key to the track’s comeback narrative.
Hotels & Accommodation
North Wilkesboro
19 - 20 Jul
North Wilkesboro Speedway
Some session times for Nascar North Wilkesboro 2026 have not yet been finalised, they represent possible times in which each race session could occur. Please check back later for more accurate times.
Track Info
North Wilkesboro Speedway - North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, USA
Short-track time capsule reborn - clockwise - 0.625 mi / 1.006 km oval with 4 turns - 13° turns, ~3° straights - downhill frontstretch and uphill backstretch
When was the track built?
Conceived by Enoch Staley and partners in the mid-1940s, North Wilkesboro opened in 1947 as a dirt oval carved into the Brushy Mountain foothills. Budget constraints during construction left the frontstretch lower than the backstretch, creating the unique downhill charge past the pits and the uphill pull on the back straight. The track was paved by the 1950s and became a cornerstone of NASCAR’s early national growth.
After closing following the 1996 season, the speedway began a remarkable revival in the 2020s. It hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2023 on its aged surface, then received a full repave for 2024 while preserving its classic geometry and 13° corner banking.
When was its first race?
The venue’s first race ran on May 18, 1947, a Modified event won by Fonty Flock. The track joined NASCAR’s top division two years later, staging the 1949 season finale (the Wilkes 200) won by Bob Flock.
What's the circuit like?
- Two straightaways, two attitudes: The downhill frontstretch encourages deep braking into Turn 1, while the uphill backstretch loads engines and rear tires before Turn 3.
- Old-school rhythm, new asphalt: The 2024 repave kept the classic lines but added grip and consistency, tightening packs and rewarding exit drive.
- Heavy on tire management: Even with fresh pavement, saving the right-rear over long green runs is a Wilkesboro staple.
- Benchmark pace: Sub-19-second race laps set the modern bar, with Cup and Trucks both clocking low-18s in 2024 race trim.
Lap records and benchmarks (0.625 mi oval)
- NASCAR Cup - race lap: 0:18.362 - Kyle Larson, 2024 All-Star Race.
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck - race lap: 0:18.431 - Corey Heim, 2024 Wright Brand 250.
- Historic first Cup at NWS: Oct 16, 1949 Wilkes 200 - winner Bob Flock.
Qualifying formats vary for All-Star weekend, but pit-stop qualifying and short-lap speed routinely produce sub-19-second flyers.
Why go?
North Wilkesboro is short-track soul. You get classic sightlines across the whole bowl, mechanical grip battles into both ends, and a crowd that treats every restart like a history lesson. All-Star weekend layers in showmanship with grassroots charm - it feels like NASCAR’s past and present in one place.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Frontstretch near start/finish: Watch cars dive the downhill into Turn 1, plus pit road strategy right in front of you.
- High rows in Turns 1–2: Great angle on who rolls the center and who has the drive off to win the drag up the hill.
- Turn 3 entry: Prime bump-and-run territory as drivers hustle the car at the top of the uphill before rotating to the line.
Not just one series - headline events at North Wilkesboro
NASCAR All-Star Weekend: Cup All-Star Race plus the Truck Series anchor the revival era.
Late models and touring series: CARS Tour and major late model shows have been key to the track’s comeback narrative.
