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NORTH WILKESBORO, NC – AUGUST 31: Cars line up on the starting grid ready to pull off just before the Cars Tour LMSC 125 on Aug 31, 2022, at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC. Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire AUTO: AUG 31 Cars Tour LMSC 125 Icon220831021
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NORTH WILKESBORO, NC – AUGUST 31: Cars line up on the starting grid ready to pull off just before the Cars Tour LMSC 125 on Aug 31, 2022, at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC. Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire AUTO: AUG 31 Cars Tour LMSC 125 Icon220831021
North Wilkesboro Speedway is one of the most iconic tracks in the history of NASCAR. The track hosted its last race in 1996, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of NASCAR fans. Last year, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s sister, Kelley Earnhardt, visited the track and had an emotional moment that she shared on Dale Jr Download.
Kelley Earnhardt Miller is the co-owner of JR Motorsports, a racing team co-owned by her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr. During a recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast featuring Mike Davis and the President/CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Marcus Smith, Kelley opened up about her emotional visit to the North Wilkesboro Speedway last year. She described the experience as being overwhelming and emotional, as it brought back a flood of memories from her childhood.
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The emotional moment of the sister of Dale Earnhardt Jr. at North Wilkesboro Speedway
Kelley talked about her emotional moment at North Wilkesboro Speedway and said, “I went there last year. I loved the feeling that I got when I drove up to North Wilkesboro. I cried, I cried tears last year.”
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April 16, 2016: Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Co-Owner and Vice-President of JR. Motorsports before the Xfinity Series Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300. Erik Jones (20) Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Gamestop/ Performance Designed Products Toyota Camry won the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire) AUTO: APR 16 NASCAR Motorsport USA XFINITY Series – Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon160416006300
Kelley’s emotional moment at North Wilkesboro Speedway was a reminder of the track’s importance to her family and to the sport of NASCAR. She hopes that by renovating the track, she and her brother can give fans the opportunity to experience the same emotions she did.
“I spent my time as a kid in that empty field you know hanging on the walls, sitting on the back of a pick-up truck,” Kelley said. “You know, just being there was very emotional for me and so I want people to have that experience.”
Miller has been a vocal advocate for the restoration of the North Wilkesboro Speedway, and she is not alone in her efforts. In fact, there is a grassroots movement of fans and enthusiasts who are working tirelessly to bring the track back to life.
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North Wilkesboro Speedway’s Place in NASCAR History
North Wilkesboro Speedway was built in 1946 and was one of the first tracks to host NASCAR races. The 0.625-mile track was known for its tight turns and short straightaways, which made for exciting racing. Over the years, many of NASCAR’s biggest stars competed at North Wilkesboro. These include Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Jeff Gordon, and Rusty Wallace.
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April 25, 2022, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, United States of America: North Wilkesboro Speedway is a short oval racetrack located on U.S. Route 421, about five miles east of the town of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, It measures 0.625 miles and features a unique uphill backstretch and downhill frontstretch. It has previously held races in NASCAR, Motorsport, USA s top three series, including 93 Winston Cup Series races. The track operated from 1949, NASCAR s inception, until the track’s original closure in 1996. NASCAR Cup Series 2022: North Wilkesboro Speedway PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMAa161 20220425_zaa_a161_002 Copyright: xWalterxG.xArcexSr.x
Despite its place in NASCAR history, North Wilkesboro Speedway fell into disrepair in the late 1990s and hosted its last race in 1996. The track sat dormant for over two decades before being purchased by Speedway Motorsports. They invested several million dollars in order to revive it with the help of Dale Jr. who has been an avid representative of the track and will be participating in the CARS late model stock tour before the NASCAR All-Star race that will be held at the speedway in May.
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The future of the North Wilkesboro Speedway is still uncertain. However, there is no denying the impact that it has had on the sport of NASCAR and the hearts of its fans. As the movement to restore the track gains momentum, it is clear that the North Wilkesboro Speedway will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of NASCAR fans, just as it does for Kelley Earnhardt Miller.
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