Dale Earnhardt Sr.

2023 NSJ Comeback of the Year: North Wilkesboro’s return helped revive North Carolina’s long, rich NASCAR past

December 29, 2023 Cory Lavalette

In the last three years, North State Journal’s Comeback of the Year has come from a college game. In 2020, it was Duke basketball hitting two buzzer-beaters against rival UNC to rally from 13 down […]

NASCAR reveals format for All-Star Race

April 12, 2023 Cory Lavalette

The three-day NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway will offer a bit of everything for stock car racing fans, but the spotlight of the Cup Series’ return to the 0.625-mile oval for the […]

Byron wins 2nd straight Cup race, beats Larson at Phoenix

March 12, 2023 The Associated Press

AVONDALE, Ariz. — William Byron took advantage of a late restart to earn a Cup Series victory, just like last weekend. Kyle Larson was the victim of Byron’s late restart prowess, just like last weekend. […]

Kevin Harvick says 2023 will be final Cup season

January 18, 2023 The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — Kevin Harvick received the same answer nearly every time he asked another athlete how they decided to retire: Harvick would just know it was time. The driver thrust onto the global stage when […]

Cannon Ballers leading way in Kannapolis’ revitalization

June 15, 2022 Brett Friedlander

KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers have a slogan painted in large letters for all to see as they enter Gate 1 at Atrium Health Ballpark. “Have a blast!” it says. It’s a play on […]

Richard Childress Racing brings bull riding to Winston-Salem

February 16, 2022 Brett Friedlander

Bristol Motor Speedway is known as “The Bullring” because of its small circumference and the massive 150,000-plus seat structure that surrounds it. Come this summer, legendary NASCAR owner Richard Childress will also operate a team […]

Reviving its roots? NASCAR weighs return to bygone North Wilkesboro Speedway

May 26, 2021 Brett Friedlander

No one involved with NASCAR really wanted to leave North Wilkesboro Speedway when the racing series said goodbye to the historic track in 1996. But the sport was growing and becoming more popular nationwide, so […]

20 years later: How Earnhardt’s death saved lives, forced change

February 17, 2021 The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Ryan Newman was lying in bed one morning, his two daughters still tucked in down the hall, when a YouTube video of his death-defying crash popped up as a recommended watch. […]

Looking back: 20th anniversary of Earnhardt’s death a reminder of his impact

February 12, 2021 The Associated Press

The death of Dale Earnhardt from a crash during the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 is considered the darkest day in the history of NASCAR. The 20th anniversary of his death is Feb. […]

100 in 100: Randolph County’s Richard Petty, NASCAR’s ‘King’

July 1, 2020 Brett Friedlander

North State Journal’s 100 in 100 series will showcase the best athlete from each of North Carolina’s 100 counties. From Alamance to Yancey, each county will feature one athlete who stands above the rest. Some […]