North Wilkesboro Speedway

North Wilkesboro Speedway opened in 1947 and hosted Cup Series racing from the sport's first 1949 strictly stock season through 1996, when financial pressure and changing schedule economics pushed it off the calendar. The 0.625-mile asymmetric oval in the foothills of western North Carolina sat dormant for 27 years before community fundraising, sponsorship from Speedway Motorsports, and a NASCAR commitment to host the All-Star Race brought it back to life in 2023. North Wilkesboro's narrow racing surface and lack of progressive banking strip modern aero advantages down to bare driving skill, producing throwback-style short-track competition. The track has hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race since its return and remains a sentimental favorite for fans of the sport's early history.