SMI Garners $4 Million for Historic Tracks Revival Amid Surging Fears of Losing NASCAR Again

Since its establishment in 1948, numerous racetracks have been included or excluded from the NASCAR roster of speedways suitable for motorsport racing. Among these was a track located in the moonshine capital of America. Despite multiple renovations, the Cup Series has not been able to make a comeback on this track.

In a recent development, however, the Wilkes County state government has made the decision to allocate $4 million to Speedway Motorsports Inc. The funding is an incentive that state officials had previously agreed to provide to the company for hosting the NASCAR All-Star race at the historic speedway. The allocation exhibits a significant step toward reviving the revered track, promising a potential return to racing action in the near future.

NASCAR is breathing life back into a historical racetrack!

Fourteen years felt like an eternity for racing enthusiasts. In 2010, when Chase Elliott raced to victory during the Labor Day Classic 200, marking his second PASS career win, the buzz was palpable. Many believed that the iconic track would soon reclaim its legendary status. Yet a decade of waiting ensued.

It wasn’t until November 18, 2021, that the gears began to shift. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper approved the 2021–2022 state budget, allocating a whopping $40 million to rejuvenate three iconic race tracks: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rockingham Speedway, and North Wilkesboro Speedway. This boost in funding paved the way for North Wilkesboro’s much-anticipated reopening.

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Still, even with the newfound momentum, the track was not yet primed to accommodate the elite echelons of NASCAR races. Enter the latest N.C. state budget, infusing an additional $4 million into SMI’s coffers with a clear mandate: bring NASCAR roaring back to North Wilkesboro. The commitment doesn’t end there. SMI promises not one but two NASCAR events in the subsequent season. The Brushy Mountain Powersports 150, a proud part of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, is set for Sept. 30. And whispers are growing louder about the potential return of the All-Star Race in 2024.

The motorsport community was set ablaze when a seasoned reporter from SBJ tweeted, “New N.C. state budget allocates $4 million to SMI for bringing @NASCAR back to North Wilkesboro: “SMI also committed to having two NASCAR events the following season. … There is speculation about the track hosting the All-Star Race again [in 2024].”

However, with the recent budget a notch below the generous allocation in April 2023, one can’t help but wonder: is North Wilkesboro Speedway almost race-ready? The excitement is undeniable, and the countdown has begun.

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Is the renowned track primed for the return of the Premier Series?

As per Foxsports, April 2023 unveiled a monumental announcement: a staggering $22 million grant dedicated to the extensive renovation of North Wilkesboro, the iconic 0.625-mile track that last echoed the roars of a Cup race in 1996. The hefty sum, including $18 million from the American Rescue Plan alongside $4 million from additional state funding, was a leap towards reviving the track’s former glory. Despite these contributions, the speedway has only hosted intermittent races since the Cup Series bid adieu.

Now, with the fresh infusion of another $4 million from the state coffers, queries bubble up regarding the race track’s current condition. Has it been meticulously revamped, standing on the threshold of requiring mere final touch-ups? Is it primed to echo the revving symphonies of the illustrious series long absent from its asphalt embrace?

Earlier this year, the air buzzed with anticipation as drivers like Tyler Reddick tested the reborn track. Drivers responded favorably and expressed admiration for a course that didn’t feel out of date. Yet, as the new renovations unfold, the racing world watches with bated breath. Beyond the whispers of the All-Star race, excitement mounts over the potential homecoming of the Cup Series races to the hallowed turns of North Wilkesboro.

Could the imminent future behold the grand revival everyone’s eagerly awaiting? The anticipation races, mirroring the high-speed thrills North Wilkesboro was famed for.

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