Darrell Waltrip

Michael Waltrip: All-Star memories

June 6, 2024 Shawn Krest

The NASCAR All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro brought back plenty of memories for Michael Waltrip. Not all of them involved his racing career. “I was here last year as a fan,” said Waltrip, who last […]

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. […]

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 […]

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: Wilkes County’s Junior Johnson, charter member of NASCAR Hall of Fame

July 30, 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 […]

North Wilkesboro’s Junior Johnson, legendary NASCAR driver and owner, dies

December 21, 2019 The Associated Press

Robert Glenn “Junior” Johnson, the moonshine runner-turned-NASCAR driver described as “The Last American Hero” by author Tom Wolfe in a 1965 article for Esquire, died Friday. He was 88. NASCAR announced the death of Johnson, […]