NASCAR is rolling out the welcome mat for fans next week as 15 Cup Series drivers head to North Wilkesboro Speedway for a crucial test session that could shape the future of short-track racing.
On January 13, from noon to 5 p.m. ET, fans have the chance to see teams in action behind the scenes — and it won’t cost a dime to get in.
NASCAR Fans Get Their First Look at the New 750HP Engine
NASCAR didn’t precisely get the roar of approval it was hoping for when it announced last year that horsepower would jump to 750HP on short tracks and road courses next season. Now, it’s looking to turn the tide with an open testing session.
“This test session provides the teams with important data for race weekend, but it’s also the perfect primer for fans to see the full-throttle excitement they’ll enjoy with the new 750-horsepower package coming to North Wilkesboro this summer,” said North Wilkesboro Speedway Executive Director Graig Hoffman.
The test will put NASCAR’s new 750HP package through its paces at North Wilkesboro, a historic 0.625-mile oval hosting its first points-paying Cup race in 31 years.
The track, which hasn’t hosted Cup action since 1995, has hosted the All-Star Exhibition for the past three seasons. However, this July, it replaces Dover Motor Speedway on the regular schedule with the Window World 450.
Each team can field one car, giving drivers and crews crucial track time to collect data and fine-tune setups ahead of the 2026 season opener at Daytona on February 15.
Hendrick Motorsports selected Chase Elliott to represent the powerhouse organization. He’ll be joined by some of NASCAR’s biggest names, including defending champion Joey Logano from Team Penske, Kyle Busch of Richard Childress Racing, and Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain.
The complete driver list reads like a who’s who of Cup Series talent: Daniel Suárez, A.J. Allmendinger, Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Zane Smith, Cole Custer, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Cody Ware.
NASCAR and North Wilkesboro are sweetening the deal for fans who show up. Anyone attending the test gets first crack at single-day tickets for July’s Window World 450, exclusively at the track box office during the test session.
These single-day tickets won’t be available online until January 14, giving test attendees a 24-hour head start on securing their seats for the historic race.
Weekend tickets, premium packages, and camping options are now available for purchase online. Still, this early access opportunity is designed to reward die-hard fans who are willing to brave the January weather for a Tuesday afternoon test session.
NASCAR’s new 750HP package is the latest attempt to spice up short-track racing, which has faced criticism in recent years for lackluster action. Teams will use the test to fine-tune setups and gather data that could mean the difference between a victory and a mid-pack finish come July.
