When the NASCAR Cup Series returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway for its first points-paying race at the historic short track since 1996, today’s stars won’t be the only familiar faces on hand.
Before the green flag waves Sunday night, eight NASCAR legends connected to North Wilkesboro’s final Cup race before its long hiatus will return for pre-race driver introductions, creating one more nostalgic moment during one of the sport’s biggest weekends of the season.
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Rusty Wallace, who won three Cup races at North Wilkesboro, will also serve as grand marshal.
Several Hall of Famers are returning to North Wilkesboro
The group spans championship-winning crew chiefs, Hall of Fame car owners, former drivers and one of NASCAR’s most recognizable television analysts.
The eight legends scheduled to participate are:
Several played direct roles in the final Cup race at North Wilkesboro in September 1996.
Childress owned Dale Earnhardt’s No. 3 Chevrolet, which finished second after leading 35 laps.
Evernham served as crew chief for Jeff Gordon, whose dominant victory included leading 207 of the race’s 400 laps.
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McReynolds was crew chief for Ernie Irvan, while Hammond worked as Darrell Waltrip’s team manager. Eddie Wood was part of Wood Brothers Racing when Michael Waltrip drove the team’s No. 21 Ford.
Even Chad Knaus has a connection to that race. Long before winning seven Cup championships with Jimmie Johnson, Knaus worked as the right rear tire changer on Gordon’s race-winning Hendrick Motorsports team.
NASCAR continues celebrating North Wilkesboro’s return
The reunion is the latest example of NASCAR embracing the track’s rich history as Cup competition returns to North Wilkesboro for the first championship points race there in three decades.
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The weekend has been built around honoring the speedway’s past while showcasing its future, with the return of Cup points racing serving as one of the biggest moments in the track’s modern revival.
Adding several figures who helped shape North Wilkesboro’s original Cup Series era gives fans another opportunity to celebrate the people who made the speedway one of NASCAR’s most beloved venues.
With Rusty Wallace serving as grand marshal and eight legendary names taking part in driver introductions, Sunday’s pre-race festivities promise to be nearly as memorable as the race itself.
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