Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
North Wilkesboro Speedway, via the track owner Speedway Motorsports, is applying to receive grant money from the Major Events, Games, & Attractions Fund that the General Assembly created in 2023 that is paid for by tax collected from legalized gambling in NC.
To start the application, Wilkes County had to approve a 3-party contract between the county, the Speedway and NASCAR Event Management. The Speedway will make application to the grant, Wilkes County will receive any approved funds, and NASCAR Event Management will apply the funds to the needs at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
“We all know the best kind of tourism, best kind of tax dollars of tourism dollars. They drop a lot of cash and they leave town,” said Greg Walter, President of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “This is going to be an international event. People from around the world will be here in Wilkes County for the race in July. So we're asking the county’s permission to make the application.”
The North Carolina Department of Commerce currently lists 10 other events in the state in 2026 that have received a combined $15 million dollars in grants from the fund, including the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray ($1.6mil) and the Race at the Rock NASCAR weekend at Rockingham Speedway($2.25mil). MLS Soccer, PGA Golf and NHRA Drag Racing are also receiving grant funds in 2026.
Wilkes County Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a motion allowing the application process.
Greg Walter and North Wilkesboro Speedway Executive Director Graig Hoffman told County Commissioners that the Window World 450 is on track to be a sell out and getting a grant like this is a good way to help the promotors of the race keep making upgrades to the Speedway and facilitate future events.
“We could bring a major concert to North Wilkesboro Speedway. We could bring in number events. This just offsets our costs and risk as a promoter to do so,” Walter told Commissioners adding, “Now that we have a points race in Wilkes County, we are trying to access the fund as to be sure that we can offset the expenses we have and keep a points race in Wilkes County.”
Walter also said that Speedway Motorsports is working hard to make sure NASCAR Racing stays at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
“NASCAR grants these races every year. The schedule comes out and they're they're highly sought after, and we want to make sure that Wilkes County state stays on the schedule for years to come.”
North Wilkesboro Speedway, via the track owner Speedway Motorsports, is applying to receive grant money from the Major Events, Games, & Attractions Fund that the General Assembly created in 2023 that is paid for by tax collected from legalized gambling in NC.
To start the application, Wilkes County had to approve a 3-party contract between the county, the Speedway and NASCAR Event Management. The Speedway will make application to the grant, Wilkes County will receive any approved funds, and NASCAR Event Management will apply the funds to the needs at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
“We all know the best kind of tourism, best kind of tax dollars of tourism dollars. They drop a lot of cash and they leave town,” said Greg Walter, President of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “This is going to be an international event. People from around the world will be here in Wilkes County for the race in July. So we're asking the county’s permission to make the application.”
The North Carolina Department of Commerce currently lists 10 other events in the state in 2026 that have received a combined $15 million dollars in grants from the fund, including the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray ($1.6mil) and the Race at the Rock NASCAR weekend at Rockingham Speedway($2.25mil). MLS Soccer, PGA Golf and NHRA Drag Racing are also receiving grant funds in 2026.
Wilkes County Commissioners voted unanimously to pass a motion allowing the application process.
Greg Walter and North Wilkesboro Speedway Executive Director Graig Hoffman told County Commissioners that the Window World 450 is on track to be a sell out and getting a grant like this is a good way to help the promotors of the race keep making upgrades to the Speedway and facilitate future events.
“We could bring a major concert to North Wilkesboro Speedway. We could bring in number events. This just offsets our costs and risk as a promoter to do so,” Walter told Commissioners adding, “Now that we have a points race in Wilkes County, we are trying to access the fund as to be sure that we can offset the expenses we have and keep a points race in Wilkes County.”
Walter also said that Speedway Motorsports is working hard to make sure NASCAR Racing stays at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
“NASCAR grants these races every year. The schedule comes out and they're they're highly sought after, and we want to make sure that Wilkes County state stays on the schedule for years to come.”
