Rusty Wallace embracing North Wilkesboro's 'real' return to the NASCAR schedule

Rusty Wallace was in the field for the most recent NASCAR Cup Series points race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, and was sad when the place shut down.

But on Sunday night, that 1996 race will go from being a bookend to just another race in the track’s history. NASCAR is set to hold its first points Cup Series race at the short oval after three years of the All-Star Race being held there.

“It’s really important,” Wallace, the grand marshal for the event, told RACER. “I’m really excited and appreciative that we’re able to go to Wilkesboro for a points race. I know we’ve had some All-Star races, which is great, but there is nothing like the real points-paying race, especially a short-track race that’s going to be 450 laps. 

“I think it’s going to be a great race.”

Wallace had an incredible record at the track during his career. In addition to being a three-time winner (including the 1993 sweep), he had one pole, led nearly 700 laps, and in 26 starts put together an average finish of 9.6 with 21 top-10 finishes.

“It was a (darn) honor to get that phone call,” Wallace, who had been at the track the last three years with MRN to radio broadcast the All-Star Race, said of his grand marshal role this weekend. “I remember the days of going up there with Junior Johnson, and it was like Junior Johnsonville because he lived there. There were some dramatic races there; a lot of wild stuff, and it was also packed with people. And that community felt so depressed when they didn’t have that race, and when they got it back, I saw the enthusiasm up there, and I hear people talking about it all the time.

“I’m a big fan of it. I got asked a little while ago, would I rather have seen the place stay an All-Star Race or a points race? I said, no, I want a points race. I’m definitely in that camp, and I want it to get what it definitely deserves”

In its prime, North Wilkesboro, which opened in 1949, hosted Cup Series races semiannually from 1951 through 1996. The best way to describe the facility is peculiar, as Wallace does as well. 

The track goes downhill from the frontstretch into Turn 1, with the inside wall close enough that a wrong move too far off-line could lead to contact. But then it’s an uphill drive off Turn 2 and down the backstretch to Turns 3 and 4. It’s also a facility because of its history and location that is appreciated and respected by many – veterans and newcomers alike.

NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports did the first repaving of the surface since 1981 before the 2024 event. It has widened the track, allowing drivers to run higher than Wallace has ever seen. Wallace and his rivals used to “rip the bottom” in most of their races before trying the top lane.

“It’s fun watching a guy like Kyle Larson up there doing that and what Christopher [Bell] did last year with how good he ran,” Wallace said. “I love hearing the comments, too. Bell got out of the car and said it was one of the best short tracks he’s ever run, and he loved the place.”

Sunday will be the longest Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro in its history, at 450 laps. The length could mean a long night for those who abuse the car, particularly the brakes. And then comes the short track tempers that Wallace will be watching – especially at a place that does not have an infield tunnel, so a driver and team will need to wait around until the end of the race, even if they fall out early.

“I really think when drivers go in there, they’re going to go in there all jacked up knowing it’s going to be treated like an inaugural event,” Wallace said. “It’s not going to be treated like another time back at Wilkesboro with an All-Star Race. This thing has points behind it and skin in the game, and you’re going to have to finish well there; you have to take care of your equipment, or you’re going to lose a (crap) load of points.” 

Wallace will also be given a nod by his former team, Team Penske, this weekend. Austin Cindric will drive a No. 2 Ford with a paint scheme reminiscent of the Miller Genuine Draft scheme that Wallace drove in the ‘90s.