The CARS Tour makes its first visit to North Wilkesboro on May 14, as the redemption of the historic landmark continues after hosting the NASCAR NASCAR All-Star Race starting last year. 

Before falling into disrepair in the 2010s, NWS had a considerable run as one of the most important race tracks in the USA.

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Established in 1947, North Wilkesboro Speedway swiftly captured the attention of racing fans and became a prominent fixture in the world of NASCAR. Its distinctive design and uphill and downhill slopes enticed renowned drivers such as Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr throughout its history. 

Here's a short timeline of North Wilkesboro Speedway. 

Here's What To Know About North Wilkesboro Speedway

1940s

• In 1946, Enoch Staley built North Wilkesboro Speedway, which was originally a dirt track. According to lore, in its earliest days before any official races, bootleggers tested the speedway in their souped-up vehicles.
• In 1947, Fonty Flock won the first sanctioned race held at the track. That race took place about a year before the inaugural NASCAR season.
• The track hosted its first NASCAR Strictly Stock event in 1949, the Wilkes 200. Bob Flock won and Fonty Flock finished third.

1950s - 1980s

• In 1957, the track was paved, replacing the original dirt track.
• In 1962, Richard Petty won his first race at NWS, the Gwyn Staley 400. He would go on to win 14 more times over 66 total races at the track.
• In 1986, Dale Earnhardt won his first race at North Wilkesboro, the First Union 400. Earnhardt had raced 14 times at NWS before his first win.
• Starting in 1981, Darrel Waltrip had a run of five consecutive wins at NWS, finishing with the 1983 Holly Farms 400. Waltrip won races there again in 1984, 1986 and 1991. He had 10 wins at NWS in his career.

1990s - 2010s

• Dale Earnhardt had his last win at NWS in the 1995 First Union 400. He had five wins in 36 races there during his career. He sits third behind Waltrip and Petty in all-time wins at North Wilkesboro.
• In September, 1996, Jeff Gordon won the Tyson Holly Farms 500. The last NASCAR Cup Series event held at NWS.
• Speedway Motorsports LLC acquired the track in 1997.
• In 2010, the track reopened, hosting races for a short period.
• NWS stopped holding official races throughout the 2010s and fell into disrepair.

Present Day:

• In 2023, NWS hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series event since 1996, the NASCAR All-Star Race.
• In 2024, the track has finished being repaved and will host the CARS Tour at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

How To Watch the CARS Tour at North Wilkesboro Speedway?

As with every CARS Tour race in 2024, Tuesday and Wednesday’s Pro Late Model and Late Model Stock Car races will be broadcast live on FloRacing and will be included in the FloRacing subscription package.

CARS Tour and NASCAR All-Star at North Wilkesboro Schedule

The CARS Tour is just part of an entire week’s worth of events at North Wilkesboro Speedway during NASCAR All-Star Week. Below is the schedule for the entire week.

All Times Eastern. 

Tuesday, May 14

Wednesday, May 15

Friday, May 17

Saturday, May 18

Sunday, May 19

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