North Wilkesboro Time Trial
Race the legendary 0.625-mile oval back from 30 years of silence — set your fastest qualifying lap before the 2026 Window World 450
About the Track
North Wilkesboro Speedway opened in 1947 and held its first NASCAR Strictly Stock race in 1949. For 48 years, it was one of the defining short tracks in motorsport — a place where the gap between the grandstands and the outside wall felt like inches, where Richard Petty won 15 times, where Dale Earnhardt Sr. built his reputation for aggressive short-track racing.
In 1996, track owners Bruton Smith and Bob Bahre removed North Wilkesboro from the Cup schedule, moving its race dates to Texas Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The facility fell into disrepair. In 2023, the All-Star Race returned — and the crowd's response was overwhelming enough to secure a full points race for 2026.
Time Trial Strategy
Entering Turn 1
North Wilkesboro's turns are tight and fast. Brake late but smooth — trail-braking is faster than a hard stop. The 14° banking helps carry momentum but punishes loose entry angles.
Exit and Straight
Power early off Turn 2 and use the full width on the front straight. The 5° banking on the straights gives you room to set up for Turn 3 without washing wide.
Lap Learning
Your first clean lap won't be your fastest. The time trial format rewards consistency — a lap free of mistakes beats a lap with one perfect corner and one mistake. Three clean laps and your fastest time stands.
🏟️ Track Facts
| Length | 0.625 miles |
| Banking (turns) | 14° |
| Banking (straights) | 5° |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| First Cup race | 1949 |
| Last Cup race | 1996 |
| 2026 return | Jul 19, 2026 |
| 2026 race | Window World 450 |
North Wilkesboro Time Trial — FAQ
What is North Wilkesboro Speedway?
North Wilkesboro Speedway is a 0.625-mile asphalt oval in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. It hosted NASCAR Cup races from 1949 to 1996 — 48 years — before closing. After the 2023 All-Star Race revival, it returns for a full points race on July 19, 2026: the Window World 450.
How does the North Wilkesboro Time Trial game work?
Set a single-lap qualifying time on the 0.625-mile oval. Unlike oval games with traffic, this is pure time trial: you vs. the clock. Learn the banking, find your braking points, and shave tenths off each lap.
Is North Wilkesboro Time Trial free?
Yes — free to play in any browser, no download, no account. Works on desktop and mobile.
Why is the 2026 race at North Wilkesboro significant?
North Wilkesboro Speedway closed in 1996 and sat dormant for 30 years. Most fans assumed it was gone forever. Its full Cup Series return in 2026 is the biggest nostalgia event in recent NASCAR history — a short track surrounded by Appalachian hills, unchanged from the Petty-Earnhardt era.