NASCAR All-Star Race weekend kicks off with Fan Fest in North Wilkesboro

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Fan Fest in the ‘Boros is on for Thursday after weather disrupted Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s plans for the NASCAR All-Star Week at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Initially, the track planned to host the zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Models Reverend 100 on Tuesday and the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Window World 125 on Wednesday. However, bouts of wet weather Tuesday and Wednesday forced organizers to postpone both races until a to-be-determined date later in the year.

Impacted ticketholders can request a refund or full credit toward a future race event at North Wilkesboro Speedway through May 2024 on the North Wilkesboro Speedway website.

Clear skies Thursday however bring good news for the Fan Fest in the ‘Boros. This free-to-attend event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Yadkin Valley Marketplace, located at 842 CBD Loop in downtown North Wilkesboro, and the Carolina West Wireless Community Commons, located at 102 W. Main Street in Wilkesboro.

The event will include food trucks, EA NASCAR racing simulators, games and more. The event will also include live music from Bourbon Sons, of North Wilkesboro; Tree of Forgiveness, a John Prine tribute band from Wilkesboro; and The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute, of Wilkesboro.

Beginning at about 6 p.m. fans will also be able to watch the NASCAR All-Star Race Hauler Parade as it makes its way through Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro.

Below is the schedule for the rest of All-Star Week.

Friday, May 17

• 3:05 p.m. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice
• 4 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series Practice
• 5:45 p.m. NASCAR All-Star Race Qualifying – Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear
• 7:30 p.m. All-Star Friday presented by Raymer Oil Company featuring Tim Dugger and Neal McCoy

Saturday, May 18

• 9:35 a.m. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying (single vehicle, two laps)
• 1:05 p.m. Driver introductions and pre-race ceremonies for Wright Brand 250
• 1:30 p.m. Wright Brand 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race (250 laps)
• 7:20 p.m. NASCAR All-Star Race Heat Race No. 1 (60 laps)
• 8:20 p.m. NASCAR All-Star Race Heat Race No. 2 (60 laps)

Sunday, May 19

• 1:30 p.m. Pre-race concert featuring Warren Zeiders
• 5:30 p.m. NASCAR All-Star Open Race (100 laps)
• 7:30 p.m. Driver introductions NASCAR All-Star Race
• 8 p.m. NASCAR All-Star Race

Check out FOX8’s full guide to All-Star Race week at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

The FOX8 Max Weather Center has also put together daily weather forecasts for each day leading up to the Sunday’s All-Star Race.