The much-anticipated All-Star Race, an annual exhibition event with a $1 million prize fund, will bring the NASCAR Cup Series back to North Wilkesboro Speedway this month. The All-Star celebrations will take place on the historic short track on May 18 for the third year in a row. Since its founding in 1947, North Wilkesboro Speedway has had a tumultuous past, especially with regard to ownership and activities. From 1949 until 1996, the 0.625-mile paved short oval was a mainstay of the Cup Series program before being eliminated. After current owner Speedway Motorsports’ plans to bring it back to NASCAR’s national series with the Truck Series in 2023, it made a formal comeback in the CARS Tour series in 2010 the track back to life.
Fans have a choice of alternatives to watch the action at NASCAR’s All-Star weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway, with ticket prices ranging from an inexpensive $23 to an expensive $2,150
Friday marks the beginning of the three-day celebration, which concludes with the $1 million All-Star Race. At North Wilkesboro Speedway, following NASCAR’s All-Star Race, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. punched Kyle Busch. Tensions between Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. of HYAK Motorsports erupted early in last year’s All-Star Race. On the first lap, Stenhouse pushed Busch into the wall, but Busch’s #8 Chevrolet came out of the encounter unscathed. Busch’s race ended within the first two laps as he bumped Stenhouse in retaliation, driving the #47 vehicle straight into the wall. After the conclusion of the race, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confronted Kyle Busch, and the situation escalated quickly. “Bring it! I don’t give a fu*k. I suck just as bad as you!” Busch yelled at Stenhouse Jr. before he got punched in the face. (via NASCAR)
After being found guilty, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000. The All-Star Open Race this season is set for 5:30 PM Eastern time, while the All-Star Race is set for May 18 at 8:00 PM. Watch the action live on SiriusXM, MRN, and FOX Sports 1.
