The stars are set to shine once again at historic North Wilkesboro Speedway as the 2025 NASCAR All-Star race returns May 15-18. With a newly condensed four-day schedule featuring zMAX CARS Tour racing, the Window World 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, live concerts, NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge and the fan-favorite NASCAR All-Star Race, the excitement is building for the biggest weeks in short-track racing.
Among those eager to take on North Wilkesboro’s unique 0.625-mile challenge is 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and defending All-Star Race winner Joey Logano. Ahead of race week, Logano reflected on his triumphant run last year and shared his excitement for the historic venue’s next chapter, while providing track rides to media members.
“To see what you guys have done to tastefully improve the facility for the modern day, while keeping the nostalgia of what North Wilkesboro Speedway is, is really neat. This track has a lot of character, and it’s just been fun, even down to the special trophy,” said Logano. “It was fun to give rides to some of the media members. I thought that the main thing everyone said was that they couldn’t believe how much grip the track has when we’re going through the corners. I mean, you put me in a Mustang, what do you think is going to happen, we’re going to go fast.”
New for this year’s NASCAR All-Star Race, several key format changes—including 50 additional laps and a Promoter’s Caution—are set to elevate the intensity and excitement for fans. As the defending winner, Logano weighed in on the revamped format and how it could shape the battle for the $1 million prize.
“It’s definitely different with some change there, but that’s the thing about the All-Star Race, everyone is racing for a million bucks, and that’s it, nobody cares about finishing second or third or getting a top-5 in the All-Star Race. Nobody cares, it’s about winning the race,” said Logano. He also emphasized the unique challenge posed by qualifying: “The Pit Crew Challenge makes this one of the most enjoyable and challenging qualifying sessions of the year—probably the most, so you have a lot more crew chiefs and teams saying ‘Let’s go for it.’”
Rising NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series star, Jake Garcia, is heading back to North Wilkesboro with redemption on his mind after leading 40 laps at the historic short track last year. Set to compete in Saturday’s Window World 250, Garcia shared his enthusiasm about returning to the high-speed surface.
“I’m really excited to be back, especially after last year (where Garcia led a total of 40 laps). It’s an awesome facility, one I’ve heard about for a long time, so finally getting to see it up here the past couple of years in the (NASCAR CRAFTSMAN) Truck Series has been cool,” said Garcia. “It’ll be awesome to see this place with a packed crowd on Saturday for our race. This place is super fast for the size of the race track, with the new asphalt, it’s got a lot of grip, so track position is really big here, so we’ll have to go into it with a good strategy and have a truck fast enough to pass people to be able to win.”
Adding even more horsepower to All-Star Week, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Ford Motor Company announced an official new partnership, naming Ford the Official Car and Truck of North Wilkesboro Speedway. As part of the partnership, the powerful Ford Mustang Dark Horse will serve as the official pace car during All-Star Week.
In addition, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which recently added 25 Ford Mustang GTs to its fleet, will have a specially marked patrol Mustang GT on-site throughout race week that will also help pace the field for the All-Star Race. Both vehicles were unveiled Tuesday, taking laps around the famed track and giving fans a first look at what will lead the pack this May.
“We have Mustangs dating back to 1983, and we’re really proud of that partnership and what that means,” said Public Information Officer, Sgt. Chris Knox. “We just want to say thank you to NASCAR, which is a longstanding partner of the Highway Patrol. We’ve worked with NASCAR for years and since the race has returned, that partnership has only gotten stronger, along with our partnership with North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Beyond the racing, North Wilkesboro continues to prioritize fan accessibility and safety. As part of those efforts, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has played a key role in infrastructure improvements, including a new 200-foot-long, 16-foot-wide pedestrian bridge over Highway 421 connecting speedway property to convenient parking. Set to open ahead of race week, the bridge is designed to enhance traffic flow and streamline fan entry for growing crowds.
With high-stakes racing and off-track entertainment all happening at one of the most historic venues of NASCAR, North Wilkesboro Speedway is primed to deliver one of the most memorable All-Star Race Weeks yet. From intense on-track battles to exciting new fan experiences, there is sure to be no shortage of momentum that fans won’t want to miss.
TICKETS:
Race week packages, single-day tickets and camping to all NASCAR All-Star Race Week events can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com or by calling 336-844-4735.
MORE INFO:
Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race and all North Wilkesboro Speedway events by following on X and Instagram, or by becoming a Facebook fan.