Kenny Im coming from Australia for it. I got into NASCAR a few years from watching videos of Abandoned North Wilkesboro and I absolutely fell in LOVE with the history of the Sport and have been obsessed with it ever since You're my favourite personality I've found and I wouldnt miss this for the world, would love to see you there!
Dale Jr was a fan of NASCAR racing first and had a birthright to a storied NASCAR legacy that has allowed him to understand the NASCAR fan. Because he is a fan first he looks at the sport from a historical perspective that NASCAR officials don't. Dale Jr should be in a formal NASCAR role either advisory or administrative.
Birthright? Give me a break. Jr was a mediocre driver at best and is a soiled brat. Dale Earnhardt was legendary, his punk kid is a disgrace to the Earnhardt name.
He basically is an advisor to nascar maybe more than his dad was……he just isn’t on the payroll. Jr doesn’t just speak for himself, he speaks for his fans and followers and he still has millions and millions of fans
He couldn't work for NASCAR unless he ran it. He's the guy NASCAR needs to drill the right ideas on their heads, but if he was working for them, they'd want to keep him quiet because they'd likely want to play it safe and not do anything new, or do their own ideas without his input. And he is such an amazing racing soul, they just couldn't pay him enough to keep quiet, ergo, he can't work for them lmao
I live in Wilkesboro and I hope we make a full week of it with a fan night where the drivers are out signing autographs and a hauler parade among other events. That's the way it was in the 80s. We didn't have the hauler parade because they didn't have haulers then but we had autograph sessions almost every night at some business and it was awesome. I miss those days. I miss the old Winston Cup Preview event they would have at the coliseum in Winston-Salem every January. I miss the pit crew races at Rockingham. Those events are what made Nascar special. We need to bring back the pit crew races again somewhere. I know they had something similar during the All Star Event a few years back. This would be a great time to have that say on Wednesday night at the track.
I hope Terri and Paul get to split starting command and grand marshal duties. we owe all of this to their hard work. Terri for never giving up and fighting to reopen the place, and Paul for keeping it from completely wasting away.
Kenny, Absolutely YES you need to attend the All Star Race. We need every person who is healthy and able who ran at Wilkesboro to show up for this. You hit the nail on the head with your comparison to the Field of Dreams game. I've been saying that since Racetrack Revival was announced. You're 100% spot on. This is NASCAR's chance to truly tie back into its roots and provide a unique and historically significant experience to everyone who walks through those gates on race day.
Finally Nascar makes a good decision! I have been blowing up social media for years about this track coming back. Not that I made any difference. Just glad it is back!
Imagine a track where everything from Hornets and Mini Stocks, through Street Stocks, Late Models, Modifieds, the NASCAR Truck Series, Xfinity and Cup Series all race throughout the year. That track is North Wilksboro! This is an opportunity to bridge grassroots with the elite. I’m glad to see this revival!
I think it's only fitting that Darrell Waltrip gives a command to fire engines. He gave that last prayer or talk before they started the final race in 1996. It only seems fitting that he gives the command. BOOGITY BOOGITY BOOGITY START YOUR ENGINES BOYS!
luv nascar took notice and are Givin us a chance at reviving our track. hope ticket prices are nostalgic also. some of us ain't rich. ticket prices have made the fans run from going to races. hence the half full or less stands at many tracks. ps the outhouses were the cleanest I've ever seen(been in many at job sites) that company deserves a thankyou.
Dont forget Rockingham is going to be re-paved early next year! Went there last year for a track weekend and it was super fun, even though the racing surface was coming up everywhere.
@@MzVicky we just lost our race at Kentucky speedway a couple years ago and now the ford truck plant uses it as a parking lot. Kentucky spent a ton of money on infrastructure and tax breaks to get the race only to loose it. They shouldn’t have built a cookie cutter mile and a half. Darrel Waltrip helped promote the track together a race date.
Hearing North Wilksboro was coming back made me happy, hearing NASCAR is finally pulling its head out of its rear end and going back made me ecstatic! Been a fan of NASCAR and watching since I could crawl, imo they never should have left the place. I think its gonna make a helluva all star race. THIS is what fans want, and ive been saying it for years, bring these legendary tracks back and put them on the calendar. Get back to roots and the sport will thrive once again. Get some real characters back on the track, drivers fans can relate to and really pull for, and a little bit of that blue collar goodness and it'll be a sellout every weekend. And Kenny you GOTTA be there bud! I love and miss your energy and wholesomeness. Been a fan since you drove the red dog and square D cars. Love your channel to man!
I'm an old Nascar fan who left for lots of reasons, however I am excited just listening to you talk about Wilkesboro! I just wish Nascar would listen to the drivers and make Nascar great again! I like it the way it was! But it is still in my blood!
Freaking awesome and Dale Jrs post race interview last week after the late model race there he almost Demanded that CUP comes back there and here we are a week later , Jr is the Man
I drove 15 hours round trip in 2 days to go down and watch Dale Jr. race the late models. It was an amazing time! So much fun!. Everybody was just terrific!! I've already reserved my motel room for the All Star Race! Can't wait!
I believe another factor to the NW rebirth was the passing of Bruton. I believe Marcus is definitely a huge racing fan where Bruton was business first. I think this was a passion driven creation that will also net big business for Marcus. Smart move. Now lets see if they can get the track up to the standards it needs to be for this event.
"NASCAR went ' what the he'll is going on over there' " that is a great line. I don't think the dirt would have been a bad idea, it would have been the original dirt. But if they went that route I would love to have seen it stay dirt and NASCAR quit hauling dirt in and out of Bristol. Dale jr did more than just bring that track back, he also sold a hell of a lot of sun drop! The day after the race I want to get a couple 12 packs to take home with me but the shelves were empty!
Living here in Wilkesboro you hear alot of nascar talk and just the other day I was told that Dale Sr was going to purchase the track but passed away before doing so..don't know how true it is but Jr is the reason we got it back 4sure
They didn't much in North Wilkesboro if they got that much money. That was the most run down track I've ever been to. It was an awesome experience though. It was said alot that week in Aug by the fans we met that they thought it would be awesome to have the all star race there. I'd love to go back, well worth the trip from IL.
Another thing Nascar needs to do is put North Wilksboro on the Truck and Xfinity schedule next year. Double header on the same day. Now just if we could get Rockingham back.
I was watching this race on Dale Jr's channel yesterday, which was in 5 parts. It was a GREAT race, and Dale Jr. was smiling ear to ear at all that went on. He's a great historian of the sport, and all those involved did a great job! What a lot of fun!!! 😊👍🙏
Could not be any happier with the decision to go back. I drove by there 3 years ago and it was so sad to see such a great venue just rotting away. Thankful for Dale Jr. and his effort to digitally save it which i believe led to it's revival. Now take the shootout to Rockingham and you will generate some excitement!
The only thing Marcus Smith didn't do at that press conference was apologize for daddy Bruton and the screw job he did on Wilkes County and the real fans.
Hey Kenny, saw that Taylor Kuehl finished 4th at the IMCA Dance this weekend. I'm proud to see her up front with the big boys and hope some one take her under there wings and brings her up through the ranks, she has worked her behind off that's for sure. I'll look forward to seeing your comment.
Bruton ( SMS )bought half ownership to move a race to Texas, Bob Bare bought other half to move the other race to New Hampshire... Then Bruton ( SMS ) wound up buying New Hampshire from the Bare family after Bob's passing...
Hello from Brazil Kenny, thank you for show your thinking about it You totally should show up on the track and maybe join that Late Model race they are planning to have at same weekend of the All Star, it can really make a short track and grassroots revival that both NASCAR and American motorsports need
Great video herman! I've watched Jr from the start on this a great job. I'm a iracer I've raced north Wilkesboro I love it. Great news for nascar. Bruton Smith made terrible decision and it's being fixed now. Great track Great history Great future. I started I racing because it was on TV when racing wasn't. I'm a A class driver and all this is because of Dale Jr. But thanks Herman. Your the man saying what's true. Hit the nail on the head in this video
Have two preliminary races for extra qualifiers. One race with the current non winners and one race with previous cup qualifiers. Kayne, Edwards, Kenseth, Jr, waltrip, etc. Or just bring back the idea of Iroc for this race. The Big question is where would the cars come from. I don't have an answer but you guys can figure it out.
Herm.. what would be beyond cool would to have a legends race.. not cars but drivers. Sign up as many as want to hop in a car and have a race before the all star race. Like the SRX series kinda.. almost like a 1 off IROC race. Hell that would be a sell out. I would be down from Pa. To see that one 110%
As has been said, Rockingham too. It's becoming clear that it's not just us old guys that want to see "more of the old!". Remember, us old guys have kids and we pass tradition down. Now FIX those da*n cars and we'll really start watching fans return!
Do you see other race tracks like Rockingham or Nashville Fairground Speedway coming back? Does this spark that as an interest for NASCAR to try to push towards?
Kenny I have a question for you.. what do you think are the chances of North Wilkesboro getting a points paying event race there for the Cup Series.. like another 400-mile-length race?
SMI doing this rebirth of North Wilkesboro is just what the doctor ordered. I've been missing the racing this track produced years ago, the beating and banging us fans love!!
To think, Texas is why NASCAR left North Wilkesboro. 25 years later, North Wilkesboro replaces Texas for the All Star race. This is the Ultimate Comeback Story.
That would be great to see all of you there.
Always love Kenny/Herman’s perspective!!!
Kenny Im coming from Australia for it.
I got into NASCAR a few years from watching videos of Abandoned North Wilkesboro and I absolutely fell in LOVE with the history of the Sport and have been obsessed with it ever since
You're my favourite personality I've found and I wouldnt miss this for the world, would love to see you there!
🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
Awesome stuff dude
I just happened to check next year's schedule updates yesterday morning and saw North Wilkesboro....probably the happiest moment seeing any schedule!
Dale Jr was a fan of NASCAR racing first and had a birthright to a storied NASCAR legacy that has allowed him to understand the NASCAR fan. Because he is a fan first he looks at the sport from a historical perspective that NASCAR officials don't. Dale Jr should be in a formal NASCAR role either advisory or administrative.
Birthright? Give me a break. Jr was a mediocre driver at best and is a soiled brat. Dale Earnhardt was legendary, his punk kid is a disgrace to the Earnhardt name.
He basically is an advisor to nascar maybe more than his dad was……he just isn’t on the payroll. Jr doesn’t just speak for himself, he speaks for his fans and followers and he still has millions and millions of fans
He couldn't work for NASCAR unless he ran it. He's the guy NASCAR needs to drill the right ideas on their heads, but if he was working for them, they'd want to keep him quiet because they'd likely want to play it safe and not do anything new, or do their own ideas without his input. And he is such an amazing racing soul, they just couldn't pay him enough to keep quiet, ergo, he can't work for them lmao
@@Twinspinner rather delusional.
It should draw a large crowd.Probably more than 50,000 fans and be affordable for 70.00 per ticket?
Love ya Kenny, your positivity makes my day.
I lived five miles from the North Wilkesboro track so glad it’s back and going to the All Star race in 2021!
wow thats great news. thanks kenny.
Sounds good Herman.
That's great news Kenny. Come on 2023 let's go racing 🏁🏁
I hope to see you there Herman!
I live in Wilkesboro and I hope we make a full week of it with a fan night where the drivers are out signing autographs and a hauler parade among other events. That's the way it was in the 80s. We didn't have the hauler parade because they didn't have haulers then but we had autograph sessions almost every night at some business and it was awesome. I miss those days. I miss the old Winston Cup Preview event they would have at the coliseum in Winston-Salem every January. I miss the pit crew races at Rockingham. Those events are what made Nascar special. We need to bring back the pit crew races again somewhere. I know they had something similar during the All Star Event a few years back. This would be a great time to have that say on Wednesday night at the track.
Benny is looking down smiling i wish he could be there in person not just spirit miss him
I hope Terri and Paul get to split starting command and grand marshal duties. we owe all of this to their hard work. Terri for never giving up and fighting to reopen the place, and Paul for keeping it from completely wasting away.
Maybe Kenny can get NASCAR to do it there is no family that has done more for Wilksboro county than the Parsons
Back to roots, YEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!
The old tracks are what race fans want to see the speed and competition is what makes a track great
Oh hell yeah I’ll be there!!!!!
Let's bring back the Rock next
Thank you for All you do!!!!!
R.I.P Bruton Smith and Thanks DaleJr.
Herm Gonna Be Awesome All Star Race Now Lets Get The Rock Back Going
I like to see the same thing for Rockingham
Kenny, Absolutely YES you need to attend the All Star Race. We need every person who is healthy and able who ran at Wilkesboro to show up for this. You hit the nail on the head with your comparison to the Field of Dreams game. I've been saying that since Racetrack Revival was announced. You're 100% spot on. This is NASCAR's chance to truly tie back into its roots and provide a unique and historically significant experience to everyone who walks through those gates on race day.
Love the Big E hat👍
NASCAR is slowly coming back to their roots.
Junior Johnson would have smiled from ear to ear hearing this great news!
Rockinham next
Would love to see Jr take over and run Nascar
Yes. Can you imagine what a sport we would have then. I don't know he would do it but yes that would be great.
Agreed! Vintage! Best thing that has happened in a good while! Awesome.
Finally Nascar makes a good decision! I have been blowing up social media for years about this track coming back. Not that I made any difference. Just glad it is back!
Imagine a track where everything from Hornets and Mini Stocks, through Street Stocks, Late Models, Modifieds, the NASCAR Truck Series, Xfinity and Cup Series all race throughout the year.
That track is North Wilksboro! This is an opportunity to bridge grassroots with the elite. I’m glad to see this revival!
I think it's only fitting that Darrell Waltrip gives a command to fire engines. He gave that last prayer or talk before they started the final race in 1996. It only seems fitting that he gives the command.
BOOGITY BOOGITY BOOGITY START YOUR ENGINES BOYS!
I am thrilled
Hey buddy, good job. Glad to see you're keeping up the good racing.
luv nascar took notice and are Givin us a chance at reviving our track. hope ticket prices are nostalgic also. some of us ain't rich. ticket prices have made the fans run from going to races. hence the half full or less stands at many tracks. ps the outhouses were the cleanest I've ever seen(been in many at job sites) that company deserves a thankyou.
Wilkesboro should’ve never been taken away to begin with Kenny
YES for North Wilkesboro! Let's go!
Next Up....Rockingham
can't forget about Stapleton's videos on Wilkesboro, he helped bring more people into loving North Wilkesboro
Dont forget Rockingham is going to be re-paved early next year! Went there last year for a track weekend and it was super fun, even though the racing surface was coming up everywhere.
Yes we need Rockingham back too.
@@MzVicky we just lost our race at Kentucky speedway a couple years ago and now the ford truck plant uses it as a parking lot. Kentucky spent a ton of money on infrastructure and tax breaks to get the race only to loose it. They shouldn’t have built a cookie cutter mile and a half. Darrel Waltrip helped promote the track together a race date.
NASCAR needs put Dale Jr in the front office. He knows what the fans want.
Hearing North Wilksboro was coming back made me happy, hearing NASCAR is finally pulling its head out of its rear end and going back made me ecstatic! Been a fan of NASCAR and watching since I could crawl, imo they never should have left the place. I think its gonna make a helluva all star race. THIS is what fans want, and ive been saying it for years, bring these legendary tracks back and put them on the calendar. Get back to roots and the sport will thrive once again. Get some real characters back on the track, drivers fans can relate to and really pull for, and a little bit of that blue collar goodness and it'll be a sellout every weekend. And Kenny you GOTTA be there bud! I love and miss your energy and wholesomeness. Been a fan since you drove the red dog and square D cars. Love your channel to man!
So glad you stayed grounded after your career Herm.
What is dead may never die, long live North Wilkesboro!!!
The NEXT track we need to bring back is THE ROCK! - ROCKINGHAM Speedway! Thank you Dale Jr.!
I'm an old Nascar fan who left for lots of reasons, however I am excited just listening to you talk about Wilkesboro! I just wish Nascar would listen to the drivers and make Nascar great again! I like it the way it was! But it is still in my blood!
Great
Best move Nascar has made in years I love it
Freaking awesome and Dale Jrs post race interview last week after the late model race there he almost Demanded that CUP comes back there and here we are a week later , Jr is the Man
Wasn't old enough to remember Wilkesboro but do remember Rockingham, would like to see a return there as well
If you build it - they will come!!
People are yearning for communal activities again-it’s awesome to see it all come together👍
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Kenny I have goosebumps listening to this. I've seen the dirty mo videos from the racing there. So cool!
I drove 15 hours round trip in 2 days to go down and watch Dale Jr. race the late models. It was an amazing time! So much fun!. Everybody was just terrific!! I've already reserved my motel room for the All Star Race! Can't wait!
I believe another factor to the NW rebirth was the passing of Bruton. I believe Marcus is definitely a huge racing fan where Bruton was business first. I think this was a passion driven creation that will also net big business for Marcus. Smart move. Now lets see if they can get the track up to the standards it needs to be for this event.
Correction: Bob Bahr and Bruton Smith each bought half of the track and took the 2 dates with them.
I have my alarm set to try to get tickets for this race. This will sell out no question. Bring back the Rock next
To have all the old cup guys come back for race At Wilksboro would be amazing!!!!
"NASCAR went ' what the he'll is going on over there' " that is a great line. I don't think the dirt would have been a bad idea, it would have been the original dirt. But if they went that route I would love to have seen it stay dirt and NASCAR quit hauling dirt in and out of Bristol.
Dale jr did more than just bring that track back, he also sold a hell of a lot of sun drop! The day after the race I want to get a couple 12 packs to take home with me but the shelves were empty!
A lot of people don’t seem to know how to spell THANK YOU DALE JR FOR ALL YOU DO! YOU ARE A NATIONAL TREASURE!
Living here in Wilkesboro you hear alot of nascar talk and just the other day I was told that Dale Sr was going to purchase the track but passed away before doing so..don't know how true it is but Jr is the reason we got it back 4sure
Proud to say I was part of that crowd
They didn't much in North Wilkesboro if they got that much money. That was the most run down track I've ever been to. It was an awesome experience though. It was said alot that week in Aug by the fans we met that they thought it would be awesome to have the all star race there. I'd love to go back, well worth the trip from IL.
I was there at last race in 1996. Was 18. I’m 44 now and will definitely be there. I believe your first race was in Wilkesboro
So awesome, can’t wait. Let’s set our sights on bringing back Rockingham too
The crowd went insane as Junior charged to the front!
Another thing Nascar needs to do is put North Wilksboro on the Truck and Xfinity schedule next year. Double header on the same day. Now just if we could get Rockingham back.
I was watching this race on Dale Jr's channel yesterday, which was in 5 parts. It was a GREAT race, and Dale Jr. was smiling ear to ear at all that went on. He's a great historian of the sport, and all those involved did a great job! What a lot of fun!!! 😊👍🙏
Hell yea i love that track i always had hope for that track I never let go
Could not be any happier with the decision to go back. I drove by there 3 years ago and it was so sad to see such a great venue just rotting away. Thankful for Dale Jr. and his effort to digitally save it which i believe led to it's revival. Now take the shootout to Rockingham and you will generate some excitement!
Dang right!
Some of the best racing ever on that old asphalt.
The only thing Marcus Smith didn't do at that press conference was apologize for daddy Bruton and the screw job he did on Wilkes County and the real fans.
Hey...Marcus is righting that wrong and I think that is brave of him and commen dable!
Hey Kenny, saw that Taylor Kuehl finished 4th at the IMCA Dance this weekend. I'm proud to see her up front with the big boys and hope some one take her under there wings and brings her up through the ranks, she has worked her behind off that's for sure. I'll look forward to seeing your comment.
Great job. Rockingham needs some love now. Maybe a truck race at least. Thanks Kenny. Love you man.
Kenny you definitely deserve a ride for that all star race, One last hoorah in the cup series.
The all star race should be in North Carolina
They definitely need to keep the look as is update internal facilities that need it. but don’t take away from the rustic look it’s a great reminder
Bruton ( SMS )bought half ownership to move a race to Texas, Bob Bare bought other half to move the other race to New Hampshire... Then Bruton ( SMS ) wound up buying New Hampshire from the Bare family after Bob's passing...
The miracle of North Wilkesboro!
Why would the smith corporation need money from the state, there worth millions.
This is cool Herm...but knowing NASCAR they'll probably make 600 changes between now and this race....but it's still cool!
Hello from Brazil Kenny, thank you for show your thinking about it
You totally should show up on the track and maybe join that Late Model race they are planning to have at same weekend of the All Star, it can really make a short track and grassroots revival that both NASCAR and American motorsports need
So nice to see the small old tracks coming back to life!
That’s a very great idea!!!!!!!!!! Keep rocking Kenny 🤘🏁🎸
now all we need is Rockingham to return and the truck series to go to I-70 speedway again since its reopened
Great video herman! I've watched Jr from the start on this a great job. I'm a iracer I've raced north Wilkesboro I love it. Great news for nascar. Bruton Smith made terrible decision and it's being fixed now. Great track Great history Great future. I started I racing because it was on TV when racing wasn't. I'm a A class driver and all this is because of Dale Jr. But thanks Herman. Your the man saying what's true. Hit the nail on the head in this video
smartest thing i've seen Nascar do in awhile.
Have two preliminary races for extra qualifiers. One race with the current non winners and one race with previous cup qualifiers. Kayne, Edwards, Kenseth, Jr, waltrip, etc.
Or just bring back the idea of Iroc for this race. The Big question is where would the cars come from. I don't have an answer but you guys can figure it out.
Herm.. what would be beyond cool would to have a legends race.. not cars but drivers. Sign up as many as want to hop in a car and have a race before the all star race. Like the SRX series kinda.. almost like a 1 off IROC race. Hell that would be a sell out. I would be down from Pa. To see that one 110%
As has been said, Rockingham too. It's becoming clear that it's not just us old guys that want to see "more of the old!". Remember, us old guys have kids and we pass tradition down.
Now FIX those da*n cars and we'll really start watching fans return!
I live about a hour from the track and i really hope they will not jack the prices up for the tickets for the all star race.
Do you see other race tracks like Rockingham or Nashville Fairground Speedway coming back? Does this spark that as an interest for NASCAR to try to push towards?
Hopefully nascar realizes.......reasonable ticket price also helped to bring a crowd
Kenny! My guy, I love your integrity and passion. BUT.....you have GOT to come off a couple hundred bucks and get some audio equipment! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤘🏻
Kenny I have a question for you.. what do you think are the chances of North Wilkesboro getting a points paying event race there for the Cup Series.. like another 400-mile-length race?
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Wilkes for the Allstar race, can't wait
on dirt..?
Dale said they're tearing up the asphalt...
No longer tearing up the asphalt. The October dirt "grassroots" portion has been cancelled
@@ginganinjaracing thanks...👍
Love it How about a legends race there ? I love that place. This was awesome news.
SMI doing this rebirth of North Wilkesboro is just what the doctor ordered. I've been missing the racing this track produced years ago, the beating and banging us fans love!!
To think, Texas is why NASCAR left North Wilkesboro. 25 years later, North Wilkesboro replaces Texas for the All Star race. This is the Ultimate Comeback Story.
Bruton smith is the reason it left, and his son is the one who brought it back