Tailgating at North Wilkesboro: Infield Camping, Cooler/Bag Policy & Prohibited List

The NASCAR All-Star Race is up for another run in Wilkes County, N.C., at North Wilkesboro Speedway. All set for Sunday, May 19, 2024, the action is going to be kicked off at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by the main event, at 8 p.m. ET, both airing on FS1. The 2024 lineup includes all drivers who have clinched a points-paying Cup Series race in either the 2023 or 2024 seasons, as well as past All-Star Race winners and Cup Series champions who are still full-time competitors.

However, out of all the eligible contenders, only 17 will be hitting the track, with Shane van Gisbergen, the Chicago winner, opting out of the race. And while we know it’s going to be an exciting one, seeing all the drivers who won at least one race in the past year compete with each other, what about the fans eager to experience the race trackside? How can they catch all the live-action? And what are some most important to-dos they should follow while at the speedway?

Know all about the lowdown on the North Wilkesboro race and the ultimate fan experience—camping trackside!

The classic, North Wilkesboro racetrack has been under a rainy spell for most of May, but fingers crossed that it clears up in time for All-Star Race week. The excitement has already started this Wednesday with the Late Model Stock Car Race and the Pro Late Model Race lighting up the evening. Although rain chances spiked in the morning, it looked mid-60s by lunchtime with a 35% chance of showers.

The real fun happened on Thursday with the Fan Fest in the Boros from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., featuring the NASCAR All-Star Hauler Parade at around 6 p.m. Luckily, Thursday boasted the week’s lowest chance of rain, though a rogue shower still popped up. Expect mostly sunny skies by the afternoon and temperatures flirting with the upper 70s.

As the weekend rolls in, Friday’s forecast predicts temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s with scattered showers and the occasional thunderstorm, thanks to widespread rainfall and possible lightning strikes. Saturday continues the trend with scattered showers and mid-60s temperatures, keeping the rain chances steady at about 50%. So, in any way, if you’re planning to camp out and enjoy the races, do not forget to pack your rain gear and stay weather-aware by downloading any weather forecast app to make the most of your adventure at North Wilkesboro Speedway!

But talking about the main event on Sunday, it will most likely have the skies partly cloudy which sounds perfect for race day. However,  there’s still a 40% chance of widely scattered showers with temperatures in the mid-70s. Good news, though—the chance of rain might drop significantly by Sunday evening, right on time for the All-Star Race. But just to be safe, definitely have your rain gear at all times: raincoats, boots, and a couple of cozy blankets in case the weather decides to switch it up on everyone.

Also, if you’re thinking of coming to the racetrack rather than watching the whole thing on your TV from the comfort of your home, you better get on it before all the good spots are taken. Apparently, there’s a limited stash of VIP Turn 4 Building tickets for the weekend from Friday to Sunday, and they’re selling out so do check out a couple of ticket package options as soon as possible. Grab a three-day pass from Ticketmaster to cover all the action from Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19. Or, if you’re in it for the long haul, go big with an all-inclusive five-day pass to catch every moment of the All-Star festivities.

Also that being the case, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Department of Transportation, and speedway officials all suggest getting your parking spot ahead of time to avoid any hassles. You can lock down your parking pass from the track’s official website on Ticketmaster. You can choose from the prices for the four Lots range from $40 to $150, depending on how close you want to be to the speedway action.

But if you are already struggling to find the tickets for your favorite spots, camping or tailgating could be the perfect plan for you. Just a heads up: there’s no public infield access this year during the NASCAR All-Star Race Weekend unless you’ve got the right credentials from NASCAR or North Wilkesboro Speedway. But before setting up camp right next to the track, make sure to brush up on the dos and don’ts to keep things smooth.

Your go-to guide for tailgating/camping at the Wilkes All-Star Race

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1. Ticket Bundles: In order to set up camp in the controlled campgrounds, you’ll need either a 3-day or 5-day ticket package.

2. Camping Setup: Every designated campsite needs to have a camping unit parked on it—no exceptions.

3. Bag and Cooler Rules: You can also bring in up to two bags per person, but they can’t be any bigger than 18″x18″x14″. Soft-sided coolers are cool as long as they don’t exceed 14″x14″x14″. Remember, you can bring a combination of bags, but only one cooler per guest; no glass is allowed.

4. Weather Worries? Check out the SMI Weather Guarantee. If rain delays a NASCAR Cup race at an SMI Speedway and you can’t make the rescheduled date, you’ll get a ticket credit for a future race at any SMI Speedway.

5. Child Tickets: Limit- two child-priced tickets for every adult ticket. Going over might get your purchase cut down or canceled without warning.

6. Keep Track of Your Tickets: North Wilkesboro Speedway won’t be on the hook for lost, stolen, or misplaced tickets. So, you better keep yours safe!

7. What Not to Bring:

   – No horns, whistles, or other noisy items.

   – Do not bring signs and banners.

   – Umbrellas are an absolutely no-go in the grandstands or suites.

   – Strollers? Well, sure, until the gates, but not in the grandstands.

   – Pets are not at all allowed, except service animals.

   – Do not bring any glass containers or any kind of weapon.

   – Skateboards, roller skates, scooters, bikes, mopeds? Nope.

   – No beach balls, balloons, or similar items.

If there’s anything else you need to know, drop a comment below. Enjoy the race, and camp responsibly!