DIALED IN
A Wilkesboro Revival
PHOTOGRAPHS BY VAN ABERNETHY AND WILKESBORO MOTORSPORTS PARK
Built in 1955, Wilkesboro Motorsports Park is North Carolina’ s oldest, still operational dragstrip, and is by all accounts thriving in 2026 after offseason speculation generated rumors that the track’ s future was uncertain. The concern wasn’ t completely unfounded, though, as attendance had fallen off in 2025 to the point where 14 total race cars across all classes was the average, prompting the previous track manager to end the season early.“ In fact, the previous
September / October 2026 manager even announced that the track would not open in 2026,” says Gena Ellis-Rudisill, who handles public relations for Wilkesboro Motorsports Park.
Track owner Donnie Olish of Long Island, New York, along with a group of dedicated locals, had a different idea about the track’ s future. Much of the current staff that stepped up to keep the track in operation has had a long affiliation with this facility, either by employment or racing here themselves.“ It takes a village, and we’ re it!” says
A racer-first approach and a committed group of locals have breathed new life into one of North Carolina’ s most historic dragstrips By Van Abernethy
Deana Coleman, who’ s been keeping the tower running smoothly for over 15 years. Coleman and Ellis-Rudisill, along with Jr. Hodges, Ryan Hodges, Joe and Roberta Greene, Randy Berrian, and Phil Halbedel went right to work toward getting the track opened this past April.“ Together, we’ re committed to keeping this track in operation,” says Ellis-Rudisill.
Racer-friendly changes( such as guaranteed purses) were implemented right from the start of 2026, and the results have been quite favorable,
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