Page 19 - Wilkes County NCG

“I just want you to know that we haven’t Smith bought in. North Wilkesboro Speedway “Not only does that help the track, but the
forgotten North Wilkesboro,” Smith said on is now on track for a revival, and it’s having entire community,” said Wilkes County
the podcast. “We haven’t given up on it.” a ripple effect. State Rep. Jeffrey Elmore Chamber of Commerce president Linda
secured $18 million in federal stimulus Cheek. “For future growth, that is huge.”
His comments sent shockwaves through money for infrastructure improvements.
the Wilkes County and the NASCAR
community and energized a movement. Plans call for multiple motorsports series
Terri Parsons and local mayors, councils, races at the track in August, followed by
county commissioners and the chamber of removal of the asphalt for racing on dirt in
commerce went to work letting Smith and October and then repaving in 2023.
SMI know how much they wanted to see the
speedway reopen.

Parsons – with the help of $5,000 from the
Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority, “The track was responsible for more than
the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, and
hordes of residents – started the “We want $32 million annual economic impact
you back” campaign. Banners were hung in its heyday,” Cheek said.
with the North Wilkesboro Speedway logo
stating, “We want you back.” Yard signs,
T-shirts and banners showed up at NASCAR
races around the country and caught the “The speedway was huge for Wilkes County,”
attention of the racing press, Parsons said. Cheek said. “The community is so excited
“We want our speedway back,” she remembers
telling Marcus Smith at a lunch in 2021. “This to see the track come back to life.”
speedway gave the community a shot in
the arm.”

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