North Wilkesboro Speedway set for NASCAR iRacing Series debut!

Jeff Gordon might race as North Wilkesboro is reborn with it’s iRacing debut!

“Bring back North Wilkesboro,” is the most common phrase ever said from the core NASCAR fan.

As much as I wish that were possible, it’s mostly an unrealistic goal. However, iRacing is set to make it as real as possible.

The track is a 0.625-mile oval in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. NASCAR last visited the track in 1996 as Jeff Gordon drove to victory lane.

NASCAR hasn’t returned since.

Now, the whole track is falling apart and the town around it has been in a decline as a result. But, it hasn’t lost any interest from the core NASCAR fan. If anything, the fact that fans are told NASCAR can’t return has only added to the legendary status of the race track.

Related: North Wilkesboro Speedway cleaned by Dale Earnhardt Jr

Dale Earnhardt Jr leads a team to clean up North Wilkesboro Speedway

Dale Earnhardt Jr rode on a plane with Marcus Smith on the way to a race track. On that plane, Dale Earnhardt Jr put an idea in the track owners head.

What if North Wilkesboro Speedway could be put into the online racing service?

Back in December 2019, Dale Earnhardt Jr and the Speedway Motorsports Inc president, Marcus Smith loaded up for North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. They joined the iRacing staff on the bitter cold day and rainy day.

Together, they cleaned up the track that was previously being re-claimed by nature. They basically got the track surface in race ready shape.

iRacing then turned the scanners loose. They scanned the entire track with plans to preserve the track in the digital world, forever. The team has been working on the track ever since.

The track is now complete.

It’s not been released to the public. However, the NASCAR Pro Invitational is set to give the bullring oval a warm welcoming to the iRacing service and it will be shown live to millions of race fans.

The news was announced during the live telecast of the eNASCAR Pro Invitational at Dover International Speedway. William Byron drove it to victory lane.

Next week, the NASCAR Pro Invitational will run their final race ahead of the restart in the real-world.

Related: NASCAR schedule set to resume in May; Dates/info announced

North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro Speedway

Jeff Gordon comments on the return to North Wilkesboro

Jeff Gordon has spent the last few years in NASCAR retirement. He jumped into the digital cockpit last week for a race on the digital Talladega and ended up stuck in the catch fence.

“I said Talladega is the only race that I’m gonna do on iRacing,” Jeff Gordon said via FOX Sports.

“I don’t know. That news is exciting. I may have to come back for North Wilkesboro.”

“I mean, come on! I won the last race there. I must know something about that place. We will see!”

iRacing
North Wilkesboro
TV Schedule

Track: North Wilkesboro Speedway

Car: NASCAR Cup Series

Date: Saturday, May 9th, 2020

Time: 3:00pm

TV: FOX

North Wilkesboro Speedway
iRacing Video

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Links

iRacing | NASCAR | Speedway Motorsports Inc

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