Sometimes, the biggest decisions aren’t driven by ambition. They’re driven by emotion. The emotion of a son’s love for his father. The revival of North Wilkesboro in 2022 was one such example of it.

North Wilkesboro had been absent from NASCAR for over two decades until Dale Earnhardt Jr persuaded Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith to preserve the abandoned track. While we know it was certainly to restore a key piece of NASCAR’s legacy, Junior recently revealed a more nostalgic reason for doing the same.

Speaking on the Dale Jr Download, Junior recalled a conversation he had with Smith on the TNT Sports' NASCAR Nation Pre-Race show before the Sunday race. When Smith, like the many others, asked him what was so special about North Wilkesboro to bring it back, Junior responded that “it isn't about North Wilkesboro.”

“North Wilkesboro was just another stop in a long season when I was a kid, and I begged Daddy to let me go to all the races. Wilkesboro was one that I often got a yes because of its proximity to our house.”

The Earnhardts were based out of Kannapolis before moving to Mooresville. The distance to North Wilkesboro Speedway was roughly an hour to an hour and a half from there. As a kid, Junior would accompany his father for the entire race weekend, including practice and the main races. And Junior wanted that feeling back.

“It wasn't Wilkesboro that I wanted to get back. It was getting closer to those memories.”

The former No. 8 Chevy driver further explained on the podcast about the sad nature of life in the sense that with time, we eventually lose everything we love, whether it’s things, people, or family.  “It was about getting closer to those things we had lost.”

“It was getting closer to those memories, trying to turn the clock back and get that feeling in your heart again that you had when you were there as a kid. That's what it was about,” he added.

Eventually, Earnhardt Jr. became one of the loudest advocates for the speedway’s return. He worked alongside Speedway Motorsports, local supporters, and North Carolina officials to fund the renovations.

The track finally opened to grassroots racing first in 2022 before hosting the NASCAR All-Star race from 2023 to 2024. Last week, finally, it hosted its first points-paying race in over three decades.

Dale Jr loves the new practice rule

Ahead of the New Hampshire race on August 23, NASCAR is implementing a new practice rule. Dirty Mo Media posted the same on their X account:

“NO MORE GROUPS FOR PRACTICE. Starting in New Hampshire, the Cup Series will have one 50 minute practice session for all cars. Each team gets two sets of tires. Still no practice at Daytona/Talladega. Is this the right move for NASCAR?”

While there were many responses, one stood out in particular:

“Love it,” wrote Dale Jr.

Until now, the Cup Series practice was split into two groups. Each group got a separate session to reduce traffic and have fairer track conditions. But the new change will see all 40 cars practice together.

What’s your opinion? Do you agree or disagree with Junior? Let us know!

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Suyashdeep Sason

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason