Prior to my first memory of the place in 1991, you could actually go back another 35-plus years to 1955, where the story of this vintage track first begins. I usually get nervous when publishing“ historical facts” that took place decades before I ever even made my grand entrance to earth, but for this column I wasn’ t worried since I commissioned the help of Gena Ellis Rudisill, who is my go-to for all things Wilkesboro... mainly because her family built the place!

Gena’ s records are meticulous, and she confirms that the track indeed opened in 1955 as a quartermile strip of dirt that didn’ t even have a return road, requiring drivers to turn around after a run and drive back up the track. This system was in place until 1960, when the track

was paved and a return road was added. Roughly a decade later, Gena’ s uncle Bill took sole ownership, renaming it North Wilkesboro Dragway.

The track changed hands a few times over the ensuing decades before local construction company owners Greg and Dean Wilkie bought the track and ushered in a new era of modernization with massive updates.

This is when yours truly entered the picture, as I was a 19-year-old drag racing reporter for my local newspaper, and I was over the moon with excitement when IHRA announced that the Carolina Nitrous Nationals would be held at Wilkesboro in 1991! To this day, that single event is one of the most memorable races I’ ve ever attended. Pro Modified was in its second year as a professional category, and pretty much all of the earliest stars were competing that weekend, including Scotty Cannon, who went on to win the event.

Over the years I’ ve witnessed many other cool things at Wilkesboro

, including Funny Car match races and Pro Mod Quick-8 events, along with many appearances by the Classic Gear Jammers, who still hold meets there to this present day. In the early 2000s, I even witnessed a Top Fuel match race featuring then-owner Danny Dunn, who made some passes alongside teenager Josh Starcher during his short stint in Top Fuel.

A decade ago came another event I will never forget: The inaugural Don Carlton Memorial Nostalgia Pro Stock Race. Dubbed the“ Woodstock of Pro Stocks,” this historic event in 2016 brought out many vintage Pro Stockers, along with retired drivers and fans of all ages, for the purpose of honoring the memory of North Carolina native Don Carlton, whose life and career were tragically cut short in 1977 after a testing crash in Milan, Michigan.

With more than 70 years of operation, the significance of this dragstrip simply can’ t be overstated. That’ s why when news broke on social media last month that Wilkesboro

was not opening for 2026, it sent shockwaves of disbelief, tears, and dare I say outrage. After the news spread like wildfire for several days, I eventually let out a sigh of relief when, you guessed it, Gena Ellis Rudisill, who’ s also the social media / PR person for the track, showed up on Facebook with a newsflash of her own:“ The rumors are not true!” she lamented.

As it turns out the track was, in fact, not closing and was days away from releasing a 2026 schedule when the closure rumor first grew legs. Crisis averted! It was a stark reminder( yes, we apparently all still need one from time to time) that you can’ t believe everything you read online. As advertised, Wilkesboro released a jam-packed schedule of events for 2026 a few days later.

With eagerness, I’ m making it a point to visit Wilkesboro this year, and I’ m mighty thankful we all still can, especially after the initial jarring report! There’ s lots more to report from Wilkesboro, including new management, renewed vision for the upcoming season, and even a return to IHRA sanction, so stay tuned! DI