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NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (WBTV) – A historic track in North Carolina will host its first points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race in 30 years this weekend.
North Wilkesboro Speedway — which was brought back from the dead in recent years — is back on the Cup Series’ regular-season schedule for the first time since 1996.
After sitting dormant for decades, money was poured into the 0.625-mile track in the early 2020s, and was revived enough to host the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Three of the sport’s more popular drivers — Kyle Larson, Joey Logano and Christopher Bell — won those All-Star races, respectively.
Now in 2026, the Wilkes County venue is primed for a 450-lap, points-paying event featuring 37 of stock car racing’s best drivers.
Of the 37 drivers entered for the Sunday, July 19 race, about a dozen weren’t even born when Jeff Gordon won the last points race at North Wilkesboro. None were even old enough to have a driver’s license.
Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney are among the betting favorites to win Sunday, along with Larson, Bell and Logano.
Drivers are scheduled to take the green flag for Sunday’s Window World 450 shortly after 7 p.m., broadcast on TNT.
The Truck Series will also be in action this weekend at North Wilkesboro, with their race set for Saturday afternoon. The Truck Series also raced at the historic track in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Unlike the Cup races, the Truck events counted for points.
The NASCAR Cup Series is set for its first points-paying race at North Wilkesboro since 1996.(Matt Kelley | AP)Click here for more NASCAR coverage
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