“People quit supporting them,” Chase Elliott asks fans to support North Wilkesboro Speedway as it’s future with NASCAR remains uncertain

Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott talks about the future of North Wilkesboro.

“People quit supporting them,” Chase Elliott asks fans to support North Wilkesboro Speedway as it’s future with NASCAR remains uncertain

Chase Elliott (@HMS/ Twitter)

Chase Elliott wants fans to support NASCAR’s return to the iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway. The track was renovated and will host NASCAR races this weekend for the first time since 1996. There is a Truck race scheduled for Saturday. The much anticipated NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race is scheduled for Sunday. The fans are looking forward to this event, and the crowd is expected to be around 35,000. 

Chase Elliott claims the future of the North Wilkesboro Speedway will depend on the support it receives from NASCAR fans and the industry. The most popular driver raised important questions like why the place shut down in the first place. He believes it is because people stopped supporting them. Elliott asks fans to support tracks like these so it remains on the NASCAR calendar. 

Chase Elliott stated, “Ultimately, you have to ask yourself – why did these places shut down in the first place? Well, it was because people quit supporting them, but now it’s cool to bring it back. So, it’s like which one do you want, do you want it or not? I think we all have to ask ourselves that and the people that support racing need to ask themselves that, too. If we don’t support this stuff, then it’s going to go away. It’s just how it works.”

Related: REVEALED: The real reason why Kevin Harvick is driving the No:29 at North Wilkesboro All-Star Race

Chase Elliott says there is positivity from everybody about racing at North Wilkesboro

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North Wilkesboro Speedway (Image via Wilkes County Tourism)

The reason why North Wilkesboro has reopened is because of the success of the Late Model races. The $18 million in funding for the infrastructure from the state also contributed to it. The track has had some major changes since it hosted its last NASCAR race in 1996. However, it is still small compared to the other tracks on the Cup Series. It also lacks certain features. 

The track was renovated into a “multi-use facility” while retaining the history of the speedway. The future of North Wilkesboro is uncertain. Although, it will host a Truck race in the future. The fans want more short tracks like the .625-mile oval in North Wilkesboro. They have advocated for more of these on the Cup Schedule and would like NASCAR to return to historic venues. 

The future of North Wilkesboro depends on the support the event receives. NASCAR drivers want to continue racing at the track. Chase Elliott claims there is plenty of positivity from everybody regarding this subject. Though it is not the usual facility he is used to, Elliott is cool with it. He believes one must have the right headspace for racing at certain tracks. The 27-year-old hopes the people who visit the track this weekend will enjoy it. 

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