CARS Tour founder and president Jack McNelly says they're expecting just under 20,000 fans for the race tomorrow at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

They've opened up the Turn 1 and 2 stands to accommodate the increased demand.

CARS Tour founder and president Jack McNelly says they're expecting just under 20,000 fans for the race tomorrow at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

They've opened up the Turn 1 and 2 stands to accommodate the increased demand.

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) August 30, 2022

I wanted to go to the first race they had when it reopened just to see it but couldn't make it happen. I did have friends and family that went and loved it. Great time and it was PACKED. Glad they opened up additional seating especially with Dale Jr. running this week, lots of Earnhardt fans will come out I'm sure.

I've got tickets for me and my old man to go tomorrow night. Excited to see the atmosphere more than anything. Also planning on going back in October when they run the WoO super late models on dirt.

The attempt to revive North Wilkesboro is off to an encouraging start, per event organizers, with a near sellout crowd around 18,000 expected tonight.

🔲 The track will likely be closed for construction in 2023 but could re-open for racing by 2024.

🔗: https://t.co/RJPGHV01E0 pic.twitter.com/WD5TR3L3AK

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) August 31, 2022

It was a full house when the green flag dropped for the CARS race. Dale Jr brought the crowd. Great racing and a really cool experience. Walking into the track was like stepping back to 1996. Well worth my $50 for two tickets and the fuel to get here. I will definitely be back to see them run on dirt in October. And here's to hoping this Revival and the repaving next year brings racing back to North Wilkesboro and tracks like it.

Yep and our very own BJ Barham was the Grand Marshal and drove the official Dodge pace car to start the race.

In case you don't know BJ is the lead singer and founder of the band American Aquarium. They were the headliner for this year's Packaplooza.

Nice to see that place have some racing. Hopefully it continues.

Steve Williams said:

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How was the racing? Did Jr win?

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I saw Junior 3rd
Carson Kvapil 1st
Mason Diaz
Jonathan Shafer
Bobby McCarty

I'm so glad the event was a success....not a huge race fan but old enough to know that NASCAR got greedy and took for granted the fans that made it the success that it was. Not sure all the old raceways that had their dates bought then moved to larger tracks but hope they can come back.

Do yourself a favor and watch this 16 minutes with Dale Jr after the race last night.

Everpack said:

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Do yourself a favor and watch this 16 minutes with Dale Jr after the race last night.

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That was awesome. Loved that guy.

Everpack said:

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View from my seat in turn 1 last night. Even saw Tommy Burleson walk by.

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Great pics. Was fortunate to go to all of the races there from 1990 Thru 1996. Always had a great time and saw great racing.

Racing downhill on the front stretch, and going uphill on the back stretch. Beautiful country up there.

A night when anything was possible

After 26 years of dormancy, North Wilkesboro became the center of the racing universe for one more evening. I'm still processing what just happened.

https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/north-wilkesboro-dale-jr-racing-returns

Everpack said:

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View from my seat in turn 1 last night. Even saw Tommy Burleson walk by.

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Wow, what a cool picture! Place looks great.

Wolfer79 said:

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A night when anything was possible

After 26 years of dormancy, North Wilkesboro became the center of the racing universe for one more evening. I'm still processing what just happened.

https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/north-wilkesboro-dale-jr-racing-returns

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Great article. Thanks for posting!

A lot of cool to take in here.

Dale Jr with the victory cooler as Carson Kvapil and the JR Motorsports No. 8 team take the iconic victory lane lift. Travis Kvapil is a mensch. This was a win for Earnhardt too. pic.twitter.com/KFoSmiGhfa

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) September 1, 2022

I'll openly admit to being a Jr fan. Mainly because my dad was a Dale Sr fan, so I was, too. Then when Sr died, we did what most everyone else did, became fans of Dale Jr. My interest in NASCAR has faded a bunch over the last 10+ years, with it pretty much going to zero when Jr hung it up. I've kept up with him through his media stuff and always felt like he didn't really understand how big of a deal he was. He's just always seemed to be just a dude, who just happened to be stock cars prince. I've sort immersed myself into this North Wilkesboro stuff this week and I think it's just really cool to see someone of Jr's stature be the one carrying the beer cooler to victory lane for a kid he has hopes for and being the first one waiting on his driver to get to a historical victory lane. In a world where bigger and better and more money seems to always win, it's good to see some old school be better, even if just for a night.

PoleD said:

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"Know what I mean, Vern? "

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North Wilkesboro expected to host 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race

https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/north-wilkesboro-2023-nascar-all-star-race/10365295/

Really hope that the track takes off. I'm not even going to try and get tickets..lol

This just feels right. 😍 #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/MUaXeQg53X

— North Wilkesboro Speedway (@NWBSpeedway) February 15, 2023

Testing. Testing. 🔛 @NASCAR_Trucks pic.twitter.com/XduXCCALUu

— North Wilkesboro Speedway (@NWBSpeedway) March 20, 2023

This is awesome! Glad that this happening.

Keurig Dr Pepper's citrus soda @SunDrop is renewing with @DaleJr to sponsor him in a @CARSTour event this year (North Wilkesboro) and next year.

🔲 The brand is also going to revive its Facebook/Instagram accounts now and says another Earnhardt-related announcement is coming. pic.twitter.com/uUcR27FVeO

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) April 6, 2023

Officials unveiled the format Thursday for the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race, which will use a pit-crew challenge to set the starting lineups for qualifying heats, all ahead of a purposely no-frills main event to highlight the return of North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The invitational winner will be determined by 200 laps, with just a competition break at or around Lap 100. Both green-flag and caution laps will count, and overtime rules will be in effect.
Each team will start on new tires for the All-Star Race, and have three additional sets to use. After the competition break, only one additional set of new "sticker" tires can be used.

The more traditional feel of the race meshes with the rebirth of the historic 0.625-mile track, which will mark its first appearance on the NASCAR schedule since 1996 with the All-Star Race on May 21 (8 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM). Preliminary events include the return of the Craftsman Truck Series (May 20, 1:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM), plus Late Model contests for the CARS Tour (May 17) and the ASA Stars National Tour (May 16).

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/04/06/all-star-race-format-revealed-for-north-wilkesboro-return/

Can't wait to see this race. I'm not going but know a few that are. Should be lots of fun.

Ready for y’all to pack this place out. 🙌

🎟️: https://t.co/aN1tGVReRf @NASCAR | #AllStarRace | #NASCAR75 pic.twitter.com/CkLYhqOXGf

— North Wilkesboro Speedway (@NWBSpeedway) April 25, 2023

https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/nascar-cup-series-news/77170-the-legacy-continues-stp-will-sponsor-erik-jones-and-the-iconic-no-43-chevrolet-for-nascar-s-all-star-race-at-north-wilkesboro-speedway

This sounds like it could be pretty cool for some of us old timers...

Speedway Motorsports says that North Wilkesboro is the first major league sports venue it can find that closed permanently before later re-opening to host the same sport.

🔲 The North Carolina short track will host the @NASCAR All Star Race on Sunday, May 21st on @FS1. pic.twitter.com/WxuILAezn4

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) April 26, 2023

Interesting. Can't think of one off the top of my head.

Can't imagine the amount of work that's gone into getting the track, facilities and surrounding areas ready for this event.

wolf howl said:

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Can't imagine the amount of work that's gone into getting the track, facilities and surrounding areas ready for this event.

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I've been out there and yes, a lot of work has gone into this from SMI and NASCAR.

ncsupack1 said:

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wolf howl said:

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Can't imagine the amount of work that's gone into getting the track, facilities and surrounding areas ready for this event.

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I've been out there and yes, a lot of work has gone into this from SMI and NASCAR.

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Wouldn't it be awesome if they got a date on the Winston Cup Series?