NASCAR All-Star trophy, explained: How North Wilkesboro became 'Moonshine Capital of America'

Jacob Camenker

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NASCAR All-Star trophy, explained: How North Wilkesboro became 'Moonshine Capital of America' image

NASCAR is returning to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time since 1996 as a part of its 2023 All-Star Weekendl players .

North Wilkesboro Speedway underwent a major renovation to ready it for this event. The track had closed after its 1996 farewell but briefly reopened in 2010 and 2011 to host several non-NASCAR stock car races.

Since then, it has largely remained closed or available only for public use. But after receiving funding from North Carolina as part of the state's budget passed in November 2021, North Wilkesboro was able to get back into racing shape, and it was announced that NASCAR would return to the track.

The All-Star race is being marketed as a return to NASCAR's roots that will also celebrate the future of the sport. As such, it's fitting that the track would unveil a new, unique trophy for All-Star weekend that will remind drivers and their teams of the sport's North Carolina roots.

MORE: North Wilkesboro Speedway photos show track then and now after 2023 renovations

Here's a look at NASCAR's All-Star trophy for 2023 and how the design of the award was decided.

What is the NASCAR All-Star trophy for 2023?

The NASCAR All-Star trophy for 2023 is just about as unique as the race being held at North Wilkesboro Speedway. It's a moonshine still that was created by a local craft distillery, Call Family Distillers.

But why did NASCAR opt to go with such a different-looking trophy to commemorate the 2023 All-Star race? Jessica Fickenscher, executive director of the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, explained that it was about bringing NASCAR back to its early roots, per WhiskeyRiff.com.

NASCAR and moonshining were locked arm in arm during the sport’s early days and many of the greatest drivers got their start bootlegging in fast cars through the backroads of Wilkes County.

We’re thrilled to have Call Family Distillers provide these unique moonshine still trophies. They will provide a great tribute to NASCAR’s early days with a throwback feel that winners during NASCAR All-Star Race week will cherish.

That certainly matches the overall feel of the NASCAR race as it returns to a track of historic importance for the first time in 27 years. Thus, the trophy feels like a perfect homage to gift to the race winner.

MORE: North Wilkesboro Speedway, a famous NASCAR ghost, brought back to life in ‘Cars 3’

How North Wilkesboro became the 'Moonshine Capital of America'

North Wilkesboro became the "Moonshine Capital of America" along with the rest of Wilkes County, N.C. in the 1950s. That nickname was bestowed upon the region "by U.S. Federal Revenue officers that were sent in to attempt to stop the moonshine activity that was rampant within the county," per Call Family Distillers.

Moonshining, the practice of distilling one's own liquor for consumption without a license, is also known as bootlegging. It is considered illegal throughout most of the United States, as only four states — Alaska, Arizona, Massachusetts and Missouri — currently allow people to create their own moonshine for personal consumption.

That said, the rise of craft distilleries has allowed many to make what would traditionally be considered moonshine legally. So long as they have a permit from the state, these distilleries — like Call Family Distillers — are free to make and sell their whiskey and moonshine.

As such, North Wilkesboro and Wilkes County remain among the best places in America to get some good old fashioned moonshine.

Jacob Camenker

Jacob Camenker Photo

Jacob Camenker first joined The Sporting News as a fantasy football intern in 2018 after his graduation from UMass. He became a full-time employee with TSN in 2021 and now serves as a senior content producer with a particular focus on the NFL. Jacob worked at NBC Sports Boston as a content producer from 2019 to 2021. He is an avid fan of the NFL Draft and ranked 10th in FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Accuracy metric in both 2021 and 2022.