The Revival of North Wilkesboro Speedway Deserves a Closer Look

#NASCAR

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Music in order of appearance:
"Time Flies" by Cezame Music Agency
"Never Could Have Been Worse" - Trigun OST
"Voice in My Heart" - Violet Evergarden OST
"Think Tank" by Cezame Music Agency
"Little Black Bags" by Bibliotheque

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[aaronn]

There needs to be a movie about this, it literally has all the characteristics - An introduction, slow build to the top, a golden era, a betrayal, and a comeback story.

[TheIceberg]

Being there was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had at a racetrack.

[evannuh-koo-la]

Crazy to think that just 5 years ago, this would've been seen as impossible

[patrickracer]

Bright Sun Films 🤝 Dale Earnhardt Jr 🤝 S1apshoes
Bringing back North Wilkesboro

[nothinghere]

To this day I credit you as the one who started the process. With your video about the "worst decision NASCAR has ever made"

[boamedia]

Hey Slap, thank you for recognizing Bright Sun Films contribution to the track. The latest update video we did just recently I helped out with research wise. I go for all of us at BSF when I say thank you so very much.

[TrashHowitzer]

As a resident of WNC, just two counties over from Wilkes, I sincerely appreciate the effort that you, and many others put into seeing this wonderful track return. I didn't get to go for the all star race, but having a potential cup track closer than Charlotte or Bristol, that also has a strong local presence as well, makes me so happy. Thanks, S1ap, and everyone from Jr to Smith who helped this happen.

[sgticecoldwater]

To see North Wilkesboro back is wonderful! As a North Carolina native, I’ve wanted this track to be repaired for years. I couldn’t be happier to see it back in action.

[nathanlovin]

Racing coming back to Wilkesboro brought my grandmother to tears. It's such an iconic location for folks in WNC. I hope to take my daughter there in the years to come.

[DepravedCoTApologist]

In this day and age, small town middle class America getting such a major dub like this is nothing short of a miracle. I don't care if the race was underwhelming because it was so much more than a race. Long live the North Wilkesboro Speedway

[Mike__O_]

I was there. No matter what else happens I can always say I was there when North Wilkesboro came back. I can't begin to describe the energy at that place during the pre-race for the Cup race on Sunday evening. It was as if 27 years of frustration, angst, disappointment, and hope all exploded into a massive wave of excitement and joy. It didn't matter that the race kinda stunk. North Wilkesboro is back!

[noUGames]

I am an Audio Engineer contracted for SMI Properties, worked North Wilkesboro all week as the Audio Tech. Spent much of Sunday standing on the roof. Needless to say, thanks for this video.

[simoneghilardini]

I'm italian and I have discovered North Wilkesboro on NR2003 back in 2020 completely random since I was still pretty new to NASCAR. I was trying to make my own season on the Cup90, and the schedule required the install of North Wilkesboro, that's where I've got acknowledged of the track. I found it a cool track immediately, got informed about the story of the circuit and felt that it was a shame to keep it in that status. I was really happy when they have announced the comeback in the NASCAR schedule, but I was already happy with the Late Model revival and this immense crowd on the standings. When I see an oval full of people I have always goosebumps, not gonna lie.

So happy to see North Wilkesboro back. Now it's time to think at Nashville Fairgrounds!

[SiVlog]

Can almost see the smile on S1ap's face hearing him say "we are so back, " :)

[Patmanx]

I was there, I was shocked it returned, I made sure my dad went with me as he used to bring me as a child there in the 90s and he was there at the very last race so it was only fitting he be at the first. I was excited to see people there and had hopes for a crowd, but I did not expect over 90% full capacity for a truck race! The city did an outstanding job with traffic and transportation from the ex-Lowes headquarters to the track was smooth and easy. As we walked across the bridge over 421 cars were honking at us, and to no surprise the trucks put on a show. It was an old school racing experience at a short track; the leaders ran away and the mid pack raced hard from lap 1 to 200. We sat in turn 1 and that was the best spot IMO. We saw a lot of trucks going 3 wide and a lot of passing every lap. Money well spent.

[JayStephens]

Hopefully more abandoned short tracks in America can be revived

[RobinT]

Damn this is f*cking great ! Love that it’s back ! I live in belgium, so it doesnt matter to me, but seeing a very oldschool (and founding) track beeing brought back is awesome ! Things like this is what the sport needs to make it popular again i think

[nascarman]

I was born in 1997, never even heard of North Wilkesboro. Moved to North Carolina in 2007. Heard a bit about it. Then I attended the first race back in 2010. I fell in love and felt like a piece of the track was with me. I’ve now been to every single race at North Wilkesboro since it reopened in 2010. I always believed deep down inside it would come back some day. At face value after the 2010’s failure and extreme overgrowth, I thought NWB was dead and gone forever. But I still believed. I still had hope even when trees were growing through the stands and the buildings collapsing. I went to college right up the road from the track. Every time I went home for a weekend and came back I would always take the exit and drive around the property to see how it was doing. Even broke in once after I called Paul Call but his wife answered and was pissed. Even the days I didn’t take the exit and drove right by, I’d roll my window down, rain, shine, or cold, and put a 3 in the air. I loved this place. When it was announced it was coming back last year I was like a little kid in a candy store. I bought season tickets as soon as I could. The races in August 2022 gave me butterflies with how much the crowd turned out. Then NASCAR announced it was coming back and I was beside myself. It was more than I ever dreamed of. I can’t wait for what is in store for my track

[badideahat]

As a person who doesn't follow stock car racing as much as other forms of motorsport (I blame NASCAR's leadership lately), you have no idea how happy I am for you folks. This should never have been left to rot. Glad as hell it got brought back.

[jeremygibbs]

My old man and I drove up from near Mobile, AL. Came for the whole weekend and had an absolute blast. I grew up at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola and being at NWS felt like I was watching NASCAR at Five Flags. Can't wait until next year, I'm praying for a points race.