NASCAR has released its schedule for the 2026 season. In that announcement, it was revealed that North Wilkesboro Speedway will make its long-awaited return to the NASCAR Cup Series. The track will host its first points race in 30 years on Sunday,

Dover Motor Speedway will be the site of the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race, the sanctioning body announced Wednesday, providing a unique track on which to showcase the top drivers while keeping the sport’s history at the forefront after a successful three-year run for the event at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

It will be the 0.625-mile track's first points-paying race since 1996. NASCAR is moving its annual All-Star Race to Dover, opening the door for North Wilkesboro to reclaim a permanent spot on the Cup calendar.

Despite the announcement being made recently, Wilkes County racing fans have been preparing for this announcement for quite a while.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — For the first time in 30 years, North Wilkesboro Speedway is set to host its first NASCAR Cup Series points race. As part of NASCAR's 2026 national schedule release on Wednesday, the governing body announced that the Window World 400 will take place at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Gordon, Earnhardt, Labonte, Martin and Wallace were household names when North Wilkesboro Speedway last hosted a NASCAR Cup Series points race on Sept. 29, 1996, a memorable race won by Jeff Gordon. The names have since changed to Logano,

NASCAR also released the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series schedules Wednesday. North Wilkesboro, which last hosted a points race in 1996, has been the site of the All-Star Race the past three seasons. Competitors said in May they wanted to see the historic track host a points race again.

In a Facebook post, driver Amber Lynn said she's not going to apologize for not breaking down her engine. The late driver's car was pushed around a lap at the historic track by family and friends and there was a moment of silence

The electrifying buzz of Late Model and Modified racing will once again pierce the North Wilkesboro air Oct. 18, with North Wilkesboro Speedway hosting the zMAX CARS Tour Championships, a spectacular festival of short-track excitement.