Dale Earnhardt Jr. hails North Wilkesboro’s Cup return ahead of 2026 race

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has played a central role in bringing NASCAR’s Cup Series back to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first points race since 1996. The 0.625-mile oval hosts the Window World 450 on Sunday, July 19, marking the track’s first full Cup championship event in three decades.

How Dale Earnhardt Jr. helped revive North Wilkesboro

Earnhardt Jr. first pitched the idea of returning Cup racing to North Wilkesboro during a 2019 flight with Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith. His push started a chain reaction that led to the track’s historic comeback. In 2022, he worked with promoter Jack McNelly and Speedway Motorsports to bring the CARS Tour to the still-unfinished facility. That event drew nearly 30,000 fans, proving the track’s potential. Earnhardt Jr. finished third in the race, and North Wilkesboro later hosted the All-Star Race in 2023, 2024, and 2025 before earning a full Cup points race in 2026.

Earnhardt Jr.’s reaction to Jordan Bianchi’s interview

During an exclusive chat with *The Athletic*’s Jordan Bianchi, Earnhardt Jr. called the conversation “I really enjoyed this conversation Jordan.” He also admitted he’d given up hope of seeing Cup racing return to Wilkesboro until dirt-race discussions reignited the project. Earnhardt Jr. suggested bringing the CARS Tour, which set the stage for the track’s revival. His early iRacing scans of the abandoned speedway in 2019 became the blueprint for the modern effort.

What fans can expect this weekend

The ZMax CARS Tour opens Friday with Late Models featuring Cup winners Chase Elliott and Corey Heim. Saturday brings the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ FaithFest 250. Sunday’s Cup race features a stacked field including Elliott (No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet), Christopher Bell (No. 62 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota), Shane van Gisbergen (No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet), and Carson Hocevar (No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet). Earnhardt Jr. called the weekend’s lineup “unique,” adding: “Lots of racing to celebrate.”

The Window World 450 drops green flags shortly after 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19, at the historic 0.625-mile oval. The revived short track is set to deliver three days of top-tier stock car action, capped by NASCAR’s first championship points race at Wilkesboro since 1996.