Dale Earnhardt Jr. praises Jordan Bianchi after North Wilkesboro interview

Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his excitement for North Wilkesboro Speedway’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series calendar, crediting his 2019 iRacing pitch as the spark that reignited the historic track. In an exclusive interview with The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, Earnhardt Jr. recounted the journey from abandoned speedway to championship venue, culminating in this weekend’s Window World 450 on July 19.

What sparked North Wilkesboro’s revival?

Earnhardt Jr. revealed that his idea to scan the abandoned track for iRacing in 2019 set the revival in motion. During a flight, he pitched the concept to Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith, leading to a chain of events that brought NASCAR back to Wilkesboro. The track hosted its first CARS Tour race in 2022, drawing nearly 30,000 fans despite unfinished facilities. Earnhardt Jr. finished third in that race, and the venue later welcomed the Cup Series’ All-Star Race in 2023, 2024, and 2025 before securing a full points race this season.

Why Earnhardt Jr. praises Bianchi’s interview

After the interview, Earnhardt Jr. reacted to Bianchi’s post on X, writing, “I really enjoyed this conversation Jordan.” The NASCAR legend highlighted the unique energy surrounding this weekend’s races, including the ZMax CARS Tour, Craftsman Truck Series, and Cup Series events. He noted the stacked lineup, with Cup winners Chase Elliott and Corey Heim competing in Late Models on Friday.

What’s next for North Wilkesboro?

The Window World 450, scheduled for Sunday, July 19, will mark the first championship event at North Wilkesboro since 1996. The weekend also features the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ FaithFest 250 on Saturday. Cup Series regulars like Elliott, Christopher Bell, Shane van Gisbergen, and Carson Hocevar will compete, adding to the excitement of the revived venue.