Drivers ramp up practice and heat races while fans flood North Wilkesboro ahead of Sunday’s main event.
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — It’s NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway!
As drivers burn rubber during practice runs and heat races ahead of Sunday’s main event, fans from across North Carolina and beyond are pouring into North Wilkesboro to be part of the action.
Local businesses prepare for the rush
WFMY News 2’s Joseph Leonard was on the ground Friday, speaking with local businesses and soaking in the excitement as race weekend gets underway.
Weekend schedule
A full slate of events is scheduled at the speedway throughout the weekend.
7:30 a.m.: North Wilkesboro Speedway, NASCAR Credentials open
9:00 a.m.: Fan Zone, Parking Lots, Ticket Office open
9:35 a.m.: NCTS Window World 250 practice
10:00 a.m.: Gates and Suites open
10:35 a.m.: NCTS Window World 250 qualifying
12:30–1:30 p.m.: Backstretch Crossover Gate open
1:10 p.m.: NCTS Window World 250 driver introductions
1:30 p.m.: NCTS Window World 250 (250 Laps)
4:00–5:15 p.m.: Backstretch Crossover Gate open
5:20 p.m.: NASCAR All-Star Race Heat 1
6:15 p.m.: NASCAR All-Star Race Heat 2
Post-Race: Jake Owen concert presented by Raymer Oil
9:00 a.m.: Fan Zone, Parking Lots, Ticket Office open
10:00 a.m.: Gates and Suites open
10:15 a.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice 1
10:55 a.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice 2
11:00 a.m.: Michael McDowell Appearance (Window World Tent / Fan Zone)
11:30 a.m.: North Wilkesboro Speedway, NASCAR Credentials open
11:30 a.m.–12:40 p.m.: Backstretch Crossover Gate open
11:40 a.m.: Speedway Children’s Charities Auction with Ryan Preece (Ford Fan Zone Stage)
12:45 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour qualifying
1:20–2:00 p.m.: Backstretch Crossover Gate open
1:50 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver introductions
2:00 p.m.: FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race (150 Laps)
3:30–5:30 p.m.: Backstretch Crossover Gate open
5:10 p.m.: NASCAR All-Star Open driver introductions
5:30 p.m.: NASCAR All-Star Open
7:30 p.m.: NASCAR All-Star Race driver introductions
8:00 p.m.: NASCAR All-Star Race
Highlights from the track
Michael McDowell stood out during All-Star Open qualifying with a record-setting pit stop. His No. 71 Spire Motorsports crew completed a four-tire change in just 12.587 seconds, earning a $100,000 bonus.
Brad Keselowski also made headlines, earning the pole position for Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race. Under the weekend’s unique qualifying format, his performance also secured him the top starting spot in Saturday’s first of two heat races.
The heat races will set the All-Star Race grid, with the first heat determining the inside row and the second heat the outside row.
