What’s Happening?

As Cup drivers returned to North Wilkesboro Speedway this week for a Goodyear tire test on the freshly repaved .625 mile oval, details of the economic impact from last year’s All-Star Race and the renovations to NWS leading up to the event have been revealed. The details were reported by Kenny Beck of WXII-12 TV out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A link to the original article from WXII can be found below. An estimated $66 million in economic was generated by the race week.

Study: ’23 NASCAR All-Star race at North Wilkesboro generated $66M for state economy

• According to the independent study that was commissioned by track owner Speedway Motorsports (SMI), and conducted by sports economist from UNC-Charlotte, Dr. John Connaughton, a total economic impact of $66 million was generated for the state of North Carolina by the All-Star Race week in May 2023, including 458 jobs statewide.
• $30.4 million of the total amount was exclusive to the local area of Wilkes County, which included 253 jobs created inside of Wilkes County.
• Many NASCAR fans will be particularly interested in this information due to the role many passionate fans of NWS and residents of Wilkes County played in the push for its resurrection from a forgotten, once great facility, to a modern-day, state-of-the-art short track in the heart of NASCAR country.

The Next Race

Cup drivers returned to NWS for the first time since All-Star weekend last year. After the success the track saw in the lead-up and culmination of the main event All-Star Race, NWS underwent a much-needed repave, the first since 1991. Cup Series stars Joey Logano, Ty Gibbs, and William Byron, all logged laps during laps during the Goodyear tire test, and the consensus opinion was that the repave would definitely have a major impact on the product on track during this year’s All-Star festivities.

Byron, who was the Chevrolet representative at the test, expressed his excitement and anticipation for the 2024 All-Star Race, which he believes will be full of action thanks to the repave.

Logano commented that the character of the track remains, despite the repave. He specifically mentioned two massive bumps, one entering turn one, as well as at the exit of turn four. Logano elaborated on those bumps, which he said upset the cars, which in his eyes could promote passing due to possible mistakes they may cause for drivers.

With the tire test in the rearview mirror, the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race is right around the corner. All-Star festivities will begin on May 17 and will run through May 19, including CARs tour races during the week, as well as the Craftsman Truck Series race, which will set the stage for the Cup Series All-Star Race on May 19.