North Wilkesboro Speedway is a historic track in the scope of the NASCAR Cup Series.
North Wilkesboro is hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race for the third season in a row with Kyle Larson winning in 2023 and Joey Logano racing as the defending winner from the 2024 event.
The first race at North Wilkesboro was in 1947 and the final regular season race there was in 1996. Here are five legendary moments from NASCAR at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
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Fonty Flock wins first North Wilkesboro race in 1947
NASCAR wasn’t founded until 1948, but Fonty Flock won the first ever race in the history of North Wilkesboro Speedway. Back then, the track was a five-eighths-mile dirt oval.
Richard Petty battles ‘The Alabama Gang’ in 1972
The 1972 Wilkes 400 featured a classic battle between Richard Petty and co-founder of “The Alabama Gang,” Bobby Allison. The race was one of the hottest-contested battles in one of the best rivalries in history of the sport. Allison led 239 laps of the 400, but Petty snuck away with the win. A fan altercation in victory lane after the race only added to the drama.
Geoff Bodine passes Dale Earnhardt, Ricky Rudd for 1989 win
Dale Earnhardt seemed destined to win the 1989 Holly Farms 400, having led 343 of the 400 laps from pole position and sweep the two races at North Wilkesboro that season. A caution within the final 10 laps brought the field together for a three-lap showdown. Earnhardt restarted in the lead but contact with Ricky Rudd just before the white flag lap ended a dominant day. Geoff Bodine escaped the wreck to take the checkered flag.
Jeff Gordon beats Dale Earnhardt in 1996, last North Wilkesboro race
This was thought to be the final NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro. Jeff Gordon pulled off a 1.7-second victory over Dale Earnhardt, who won at North Wilkesboro five times (1986-87, 1989, 1991, 1995). Gordon scored the win as part of his second-place finish in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings that season, 37 points behind champion, and Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Terry Labonte.
Kyle Larson wins 2023 All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro revival
Coming out of overgrowth and getting a facelift, North Wilkesboro Speedway was ready to host a NASCAR Cup Series race for the first time in 27 years when the NASCAR All-Star Race made its way to the legendary short track. Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel Suarez won the pole and led 55 laps, but Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson grabbed the lead and dominated the final 145 laps to win his second All-Star Race in three seasons.
When is NASCAR All-Star Race?
The NASCAR All-Star Race is set for 7 p.m. CT on May 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
What channel is NASCAR All-Star Race on?
The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race will be broadcast on FS1 with Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick in the broadcast booth.
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