The NASCAR All-Star Race will return to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2027, putting the $1 million-to-win exhibition on the short track where it was run from 2023-2025.
After having a Cup points race this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the North Carolina track’s last Cup points event in 1996, the track will play host to the NASCAR All-Star event on May 23.
While Cup teams will compete in an exhibition event, the track will have points races for both the trucks (May 21) and the O’Reilly Series (May 22).
The track, in its news release, indicated that NASCAR will collaborate with the teams to add an innovative element to the All-Star Race. That’s typically the case, whether the change is to the format or technical rules.
North Wilkesboro, a 0.625-mile asphalt oval, did not have a NASCAR national series race from 1997-2022 and had been dormant off and on for decades until track operator Speedway Motorsports restored the facility with the help of North Carolina pandemic-recovery funding.
“North Wilkesboro has once again become a place where NASCAR’s rich history, current momentum and exciting future come together,” NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Ben Kennedy said in a news release.
“We’re incredibly proud of what this [tripleheader race] weekend represents — not only for this legendary track, but also for the community that helped bring it back and for the continued growth of our sport.”
The All-Star Race will cap the 2027 Cup schedule for FOX Sports, which will air the first 14 Cup events on FOX or FS1.
