NASCAR insiders debate North Wilkesboro as point race, which track it replaces

Immediately after the NASCAR All-Star Race, Christopher Bell was demanding a points race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. So, how does that sound to you? The racing last night was fantastic, start to finish, with only 23 cars on the track.

North Wilkesboro has been revived, and the two-year-old repave is starting to really come in nicely. NASCAR fans were surprised by how racey this track was on Sunday. Passing, three lanes, a moment of four-wide racing – there was a lot to love.

Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic talked about the possibility of a points race. North Wilkesboro seems to have earned one.

“It was really weird how, I don’t know if you picked up on this or if you could hear what they were talking about on the broadcast, but FOX Sports was just hammering, ‘Oh do you want a points race here? Maybe a points race here? Should there be a points race here?’ I mean, they were just like, it was like not subtle at all, know what I’m saying? What’s up with that?” Gluck said on The Teardown.

Seeing those stands packed was fantastic. Even if the capacity of the track is a third of Bristol, it looks so much better on TV. Better to sell out a small venue than have fans scattered in a massive stadium.

North Wilkesboro should get a points date soon

Jordan Bianchi was all for a points race at North Wilkesboro. He explained it well, too. The fans show up, the racing is great, and the history of the track all make it worthy of a points date.

“Sure, and that has been a popular topic this weekend of, ‘What is North Wilkesboro’s future?’ Let’s just get this out there: It’s going to remain on the schedule in some facet. Whether it continues to host the All-Star Race or if it deserves a point race and that was what people were talking about this weekend.

“Because, what you see about a lot of tracks, you know, any new facility that’s really come on, usually by the third year, what happens? The crowd support kinda dims a little bit, the enthusiasm and support isn’t there. Tonight was a sold-out crowd. It was packed, and the crowd was jacked, there was a lot of energy before the race, during the race, even after the race. There was a lot of fans cheering for Bell and Ross Chastain. Like, that’s what you want to see, so, why would you not want to see a points race here? Why not?”

The fans were so great last night. The atmosphere under the lights was fantastic. Of course, the fireworks show was a nice cherry on top. What more does this track have to do to get back on the Cup Series schedule as a points race?