Smith: North Wilkesboro ‘definitely has a place’ in NASCAR’s world, but unclear what capacity
FILE - Dale Earnhardt Jr., left, laughs with Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith as they record a video after a press conference, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, in Raleigh, N.C., announcing that the a NASCAR All-Star Race will be held at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May 2023. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ethan Hyman]
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (AP) — Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith said North Wilkesboro Speedway “definitely has a place in the NASCAR world” moving forward, despite an All-Star race that lacked drama Sunday night. In what capacity remains to be seen. Smith was non-committal about how North Wilkesboro might fit into NASCAR’s schedule moving forward. There are no guaranteed dates on the Cup Series schedule and future All-Star sites haven’t been determined. Smith and Hall of Fame driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. spearheaded the effort to bring Cup Series racing back to the .625-mile track, a monumental task considering how dilapidated the track sat mostly dormant since Jeff Gordon won the last Cup race there in 1996.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A pack of cars take a green flag restart during the NASCAR All-Star Cup Series auto race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sunday, May 21, 2023, in North Wilkesboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Kelley
Kyle Larson (5) does a burnout after winning the NASCAR All-Star Cup Series auto race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sunday, May 21, 2023, in North Wilkesboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Kelley
Kyle Larson (5) celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR All-Star Cup Series auto race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sunday, May 21, 2023, in North Wilkesboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Kelley
Denny Hamlin (11) competes during the NASCAR All-Star Cup Series auto race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sunday, May 21, 2023, in North Wilkesboro, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Kelley