2026 Window World 450

Background

North Wilkesboro Speedway is a 0.625 miles (1.006 km) paved oval short track in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The track has hosted a variety of racing events since its inaugural season of racing in 1947; primarily races sanctioned by NASCAR. It has been owned by Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI) since 2007 with Ronald Queen serving as director of operations. North Wilkesboro Speedway is served by U.S. Route 421.

The track has a capacity of 25,000 as of 2023, down from its peak of 60,000 in 1996. NWS retains a vintage aesthetic from the 1990s as part of an effort to preserve the historical value of the track. As a result, the facility retains some of its original buildings built before the track's first closure in 1996, including buildings featuring Winston Cigarettes sponsorship and suites built in the 1980s. Developers in recent years have also added other amenities as part of a revival effort that started in 2022.

When the race returned to the schedule, it was originally scheduled as a 400 lap event, being dubbed as the "Window World 400".^[4] However, on December 4, 2025, North Wilkesboro track officials announced the race would be extended by 50 laps, being dubbed as the "Window World 450".^[5]

Television

TNT will cover the race on the television side, and it will be produced by NASCAR Productions, as were the previous five races. Adam Alexander, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte will call the race from the broadcast booth. Marty Snider, Danielle Trotta, and Alan Cavanna will handle pit road for the television side.

Radio

The race will be broadcast on radio by the Performance Racing Network and simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Brad Gillie and Mark Garrow will call the race from the booth when the field races down the front stretch. Pat Patterson will call the race from outside of turn 4 when the field races on turn 4. On pit road, PRN will be manned by Brett McMillan, Alan Cavanna and Wendy Venturini.