NASCAR’s expansion in the early 1990’s to the 2000s brought the sport to new markets, but it came at the expense of several short tracks like North Wilkesboro and Rockingham, to name a few. Looking back on this decision of the sanctioning body, Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace expressed how he felt about missing racing these iconic tracks. 

Wallace, who was present at the North Wilkesboro Speedway for the Window World 450 as the Grand Marshall, sat down to talk to the media pre-race. During this, he was questioned about NASCAR returning to its historic roots.

"I was missing Rockingham, and I was missing here. But then I was looking forward to going to some new big places, too, to try that out." Wallace said. "And a lot of that was great, you know, but you still had this deal in the back of your head. I wish I was back where I started. I wish I was back at Wilkesboro. Rockingham, I think I won there four times. That was a great track for me. And to see it go and to see this go was something."

Over the years, to cater to the ever-growing audience, NASCAR moved away from the traditional short tracks and explored various other venues to expand its schedule and also introduce new fan experiences.

While Rusty Wallace understood the step that NASCAR took at the time, he felt that the sport should not have moved away from its traditional short tracks.

"Look, all I can tell you is I understand why it happened back then," Wallace said (via Cup Scene on YouTube). "I really wasn't against it, but I was against losing these tracks that were so important to us, I thought. And I'm glad we're back."

Wallace's comments come at a time when the series has been slowly bringing back its old tracks. Last weekend, North Wilkesboro hosted its first points-paying race in nearly three decades. 

Rusty Wallace expressed his feelings about North Wilkesboro making a comeback on the NASCAR calendar

NASCAR made its comeback to the short oval back in 2023 for the All-Star race and returned for two consecutive years. But the last points-paying race at North Wilkesboro was held back in 1996.

However, that changed on Sunday, when NASCAR hosted its first points-paying Cup race at the track. While talking to RACER, Wallace expressed his delight about the track's comeback. 

"It’s really important," Wallace told RACER. "I’m really excited and appreciative that we’re able to go to Wilkesboro for a points race. I know we’ve had some All-Star races, which is great, but there is nothing like the real points-paying race, especially a short-track race that’s going to be 450 laps. I think it’s going to be a great race." 

The NASCAR Hall of Famer has had an incredible run at the track. He made 26 starts, out of which he won three races. He also led nearly 700 laps at the track.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak