NASCAR’s long‑awaited return to North Wilkesboro
The Cup Series will finally race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday, July 19, for the Window World 450, a 450‑lap, 281.25‑mile event that marks the first points‑paying race at the 1.54‑mile oval since 1996.
Qualifying was washed out by rain on July 18, pushing Ryan Blaney to the pole position and setting the stage for a dramatic showdown.
The race will be televised nationally on TNT and will also stream on HBO Max, NASCAR.com and SiriusXM channel 90 for audio listeners, giving fans multiple ways to tune in.
Track facts and race format
North Wilkesboro is a 1.54‑mile concrete oval located in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The 450‑lap distance is divided into three stages — 80 laps, 185 laps and 185 laps — offering strategic pit stops and stage points.
The event promises a blend of nostalgia and fresh competition, with drivers eyeing the historic track’s tight corners and long straightaways.
A historic moment for the sport
For longtime fans, the race revives memories of the track’s heyday, while newcomers will experience a classic short track that has produced some of NASCAR’s most iconic moments.
Ryan Blaney, the pole sitter, expressed excitement about the challenge, noting that the rain‑shortened qualifying added an extra layer of unpredictability.
Organizers expect a packed crowd, and the broadcast partnership with TNT, HBO Max and NASCAR.com aims to bring the action to a wide audience across the United States.