Dale Jr.’s Sister Kelley Earnhardt Gets Emotional as NASCAR Insider Unravels the Reopening of North Wilkesboro

The 2023 All-Star race was a landmark occasion. It was the first time since 1996 that a Cup Series-sanctioned event was held at the iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway. With expansion on the agenda in the mid-90s, the historic track in Wilkes County was pushed aside, in favor of other raceways. As races were held twice a year at the 0.625-mile track, one date was given to New Hampshire while the other went to Texas. That’s why the track that first opened in 1947 remained abandoned for over two decades.

However, NASCAR Insider Jessica Fickenscher changed it all. Responsible for reviving North Wilkesboro Speedway, the venue successfully hosted the 2023 All-Star race, despite a short deadline. Its impact not just made a difference to the residents of Wilkes County, but also prompted an emotional response from Kelley Earnhardt.

The 2023 All-Star event was a race against time

The North Wilkesboro Speedway has had quite a topsy-turvy history. Once considered a jewel in the NASCAR schedule, the track was set aside before the turn of the century as the sanctioning body awarded its dates to other venues. The impact of short-track can’t be underestimated, as fans from all over came to watch stock car racing at the iconic venue, helping the local economy transition from its reliance on moonshine. However, the beautiful venue which is nestled within the foothills of the Appalachian mountains was reclaimed by nature when NASCAR abandoned it in 1996, as it moved on to greener pastures. Or so it thought.

Recalling the reopening of the iconic track in 2023, the Executive Director of North Wilkesboro Speedway Jessica Fickenscher said, “Was in my office and Marcus (Smith) came in, he’s like ‘Hey, you think we can have the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro?’ So we thought he was talking about 2024 and he was talking about 2023 so we had 8 months. One of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my career.” She went on to say, “We just worked our bu–s off. Everybody involved just kind of rolled their sleeves up.”

The revival efforts began in 2019 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. along with a few others cleared the track just enough for it to be scanned for a video game. That started somewhat of a domino effect, as Speedway Motorsports, the state of North Carolina, and NASCAR made funds available to reclaim North Wilkesboro Speedway back from nature, while the small community around the area donated their blood, sweat, and tears with their labor. Recalling how important the venue is, Kelley Earnhardt said, “I experienced that place as a kid and to go back there that first year was, I mean I cried, and that community, that track was such a big part of that community.”

Eventually, the track ended up serving a bigger purpose than just racing. It became a valuable drop-off point for disaster recovery supplies during Hurricane Helene, serving as a distribution hub. It also contributed to the local economy significantly, as an estimated 85,000 people attended the 2023 All-Star race, bringing in nearly $29 million in spending. This was just the boost the locals needed, after enduring a difficult time for 26 years when NASCAR had moved away from North Wilkesboro Speedway in a bid to expand its operations.

Fickenscher highlights North Wilkesboro’s importance to the local community

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To say that North Wilkesboro Speedway is important to the local community would be an understatement. While millions of dollars went into the revival of the speedway, the residents were the ones who stepped up to take the initiative and revive the track from its long slumber. From mowing weeds to rebuilding abandoned structures and applying the paint, locals left no stone unturned to get life back into the venue. Eventually, they were rewarded in 2023 when the roar of Next-Gen engines was heard at the short track, reinstating the track’s status as one of NASCAR’s jewels.

Recalling the emotions of the locals after hearing about the track returning to NASCAR, Jessica Fickenscher said, “To see people get excited, I mean, you know, you’ve seen the movie CARS where the little town, you know, radiator springs, they start cleaning the windows and painting stores cause people are coming. People were so proud. That was the most special part about the whole project. Was just working with that community and them being so proud to have something back.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen… a fan fest with that much excitement and that much pride in a town in the 27 years that I’ve been with Speedway Motorsports. That was really exciting,” said Jessica, reflecting on the 2023 All-Star race in the post-race presser. The 2023 All-Star race was certainly a watershed moment for this track and NASCAR fans cannot help but be excited about the future of this historic venue.

NASCAR has announced that the 2025 All-Star race will be held at North Wilkesboro Speedway as well, making it three consecutive years on the track. If that’s not all, the Craftsman Truck Series will return to the venue as well, cementing the short track’s place in the calendar for the foreseeable future. Could we also see the ‘Key to the Blue Ridge’ return to a points-paying Cup Series race in the foreseeable future? Time will tell. However, the support from the locals will remain stronger than ever, irrespective of the circumstances.