Revolutionizing the NASCAR All-Star Race: Joey Logano Hails North Wilkesboro’s Resurgence
The NASCAR All-Star Race is set to make waves this weekend as it returns to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third consecutive year. Celebrating the significance of the 0.625-mile short track in North Carolina, defending champion Joey Logano has expressed his admiration for the revival of this legendary venue.
With roots deeply embedded in NASCAR’s moonshine-running history, North Wilkesboro Speedway underwent a remarkable resurgence after years of abandonment. Thanks to a successful revival campaign and unwavering local support, the short track has reclaimed its status as a host for the All-Star Race since 2023, following Texas Motor Speedway.
In a recent discussion on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Logano, who dominated last year’s event by leading an impressive 199 out of 200 laps, shared his sentiments on the venue’s comeback. “I thought it was a cool way to bring back North Wilkesboro, like, as the All-Star race. Like, it’s kind of like a cool comeback story. I wouldn’t be surprised if someday it turns into a points event and the All-Star race moves around somewhere else,” Logano remarked.
This year’s All-Star Race promises an exhilarating spectacle with 250 laps, 50 more than the previous year, and a revamped format designed to ignite fierce competition. The victor will once again walk away with a hefty $1 million prize from a total purse of $2.4 million.
Logano’s triumph at the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2016, coupled with a remarkable record of 10 consecutive top-10 finishes in the event, solidifies his standing as a force to be reckoned with. The Team Penske driver also commended the unique atmosphere at North Wilkesboro, noting, “It’s a pretty cool racetrack, unique facility. Fans up there are super passionate. They’re happy their racetrack’s back….It’s got its own vibe, right? Like, it’s got its own identity It’s old school moonshiner, grassroots NASCAR. It’s kind of cool. And it’s cool that they own that.”
As the All-Star Open kicks off after 5:30 pm, anticipation is running high for the main race scheduled to commence around 8 pm ET on Sunday, May 18.
Joey Logano’s performance in the 2025 NASCAR Cup season has been a rollercoaster ride, with the three-time Cup champion currently occupying the ninth spot in the standings. Despite a slow start to the season, Logano’s fortunes took a turn for the better at Texas, where he clinched his first victory of the year following a disqualification at Talladega.
Reflecting on his recent form, Logano expressed optimism, stating, “[Our season] is on the right trajectory now. We’re doing much better. There’s kind of two departments, there’s a speed department and the execution department. The speed department was always pretty good, but the execution department was not. And now I feel like we’re getting it back where it needs to be.”
Logano’s resurgence this season has been a sight to behold, with the driver showcasing a more competitive edge compared to the previous year, where he secured his first points race win at Nashville in June.
