NASCAR has officially revealed the full 2026 schedule, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is already fired up about one important move. He's ready to watch the first points race at North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996.
"North Wilkesboro getting a points race is bad***," Earhardt Jr. proclaimed on this week's episode of "The Dale Jr. Download" podcast. "I think it finishes the entire rebirth story, right? It finishes the story.
"And, it will be in the broadcast window, I will be there to f****** broadcast it. Dude. Are y'all surprised at my excitement around this?"
The excitement comes from multiple places for Earnhardt Jr. Obviously, he is an avid fan of NASCAR history and those who made the sport what it is today, so it's understandable that he would be fired up about a historic venue returning to a place on the points-paying calendar.
Earnhardt Jr. also has made a personal investment in bringing the track back to life. Back in 2019, the Hall of Famer and a crew of workers headed to North Wilkesboro Speedway, which had fallen into disrepair. They spent time cleaning out weeds and other debris so that iRacing could scan the track. This opened up the opportunity to hold virtual races on the .625-mile surface.
Two years after the cleaning efforts, North Wilkesboro Speedway moved one step closer to life. Gov. Roy Cooper created a budget proposal that took American Rescue Plan funding and distributed part of it to speedways across the state.
The historic short track, in particular, received $18 million for renovations and upgrades. Charlotte Motor Speedway received $13 million. Rockingham Speedway received $9 million.
These funds made it possible for Speedway Motorsports and NASCAR to bring both North Wilkesboro and Rockingham back to a state where they could host national series races. Rockingham hosted the Truck Series and Xfinity Series last season while the Cup Series teams enjoyed an off-week.
North Wilkesboro made its return to the schedule in 2022 for the "Racetrack Revival." It hosted several grassroots races. Then in 2023, the track hosted a Truck Series race and the Cup Series All-Star Race. Earnhardt Jr. even joined the Late Model lineup for a trip to the short track.
North Wilkesboro continued to host the exhibition race in 2024 and '25 as Cup Series drivers battled for the $1 million prize.
Now, however, the historic track will host its first Cup Series points race since Jeff Gordon's win in 1996. Earnhardt Jr. will be there to call the action, and he will remain fired up about the event.