In its third edition as host of the $1 million exhibition event, North Wilkesboro Speedway produced All-Star Race records for lead changes (18) and green-flag passes for the lead (59) as its remarkable rebirth continued from a dilapidated and rotting hulk just three years ago.

While Dale Earnhardt Jr. is all in for the possibility of a points-paying NASCAR Cup race at one of his favorite racetracks, North Wilkesboro Speedway, you can count Kyle Petty as being on the opposite end of that conundrum.

Keep the All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro another year. NASCAR can then give this historic track in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains a points race in 2027. That could allow NASCAR to move the All-Star Race to Bowman Gray Stadium, giving that track an event in May the week before the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.