Capitalizing on pit strategy, Carson Hocevar led the final 46 laps to win the All-Star Open and advance into the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Runner-up John Hunter Nemechek also advanced to the main event by finishing second in the 100-lap warmup race. Noah Gragson won an online fan vote to earn the final transfer spot to the All-Star Race, whose field will include 20 other drivers competing for $1 million over 250 laps Sunday night.

Hocevar started second in the All-Star Open and took the lead in his No. 77 Chevrolet with a two-tire pit stop during the yellow flag for a halfway break. The Spire Motorsports driver cruised to a 0.697-second win over Nemechek, whose No. 42 Toyota charged from sixth to second over the final seven laps.

“It’s super big for this team,” Hocevar said. “It’s great to win, especially being challenged by tires there. I had my hands full. We definitely have to go to work here on our race car because I didn’t really like it. But it’s a good sign that we didn’t like it and we were still pretty quick there.”

Ty Dillon finished third, followed by Erik Jones and Michael McDowell.

Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen finished 13th after leading the first 54 laps on the 0.625-mile oval. The New Zealand native, who is in his first full Cup Series season after winning three Supercar championships in Australia, fell from first to sixth on a four-tire pit stop during the halfway caution.

“I don’t know whether to smile or cry,” said van Gisbergen, who is ranked 35th in the points standings with one top 10 this season. “It’s been a dismal year for us, but I feel like we’re getting better every week. This shows it. It was awesome to lead some laps. I was out front driving like a grandma and felt like it was easy. We’re getting better.”

Costly penalty

Ryan Preece finished 11th in the Open after being sent to the rear from second place on a restart with 17 laps remaining. Preece said he unintentionally ran over the commitment line before which drivers must choose whether they are restarting on the inside or outside lane.

“It’s really nonexistent from inside the car,” Preece said. “You can’t see it. So I just hooked a left going across the line, figuring it’s in that area. I’m frustrated because if you have a situation like that, put a cone out there so we can see it. Our Ford Mustang was super fast, and I think we were the only one that was making some waves. It’s heartbreaking to have a run like that taken away.”

NASCAR repainted the restart commitment line before the start of the All-Star Race.

More money

The All-Star Race winner’s share has been $1 million since the 2003 event, and some drivers have grumbled that an increase for inflation is well overdue.

“I definitely think it should get raised,” 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said this week. “That’s the only thing about the All-Star Race I’d probably change. I don’t want to get greedy, but I think you can raise it to $3 million.”

Bubba Wallace said he’d suggest $5 million but would be good for a bump to $3 million.

“They’ve got more TV money, so why not,” Wallace said, referring to NASCAR’s media rights raising to $1.1 billion annually in a deal starting this year.

Up next

The Cup Series will race May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season. Christopher Bell won last year’s race, which was shortened from 600 to 374 miles by rain.

Kyle Larson missed the 2024 race after arriving late because the Indianapolis 500 was delayed by rain. The Hendrick Motorsports star again will attempt to become the fifth driver to race the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

The 41st running of the NASCAR All-Star Race is sold out, North Wilkesboro Speedway officials announced today. The capacity crowd for tonight’s NASCAR All-Star Race will include fans from 43 states and nine foreign countries, including Australia, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

“For the third straight year, we’ve had tremendous support from fans not only in North Carolina but around the world who are captivated by the return of North Wilkesboro Speedway to the NASCAR circuit,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “Like Lambeau Field to football and Fenway Park to baseball, North Wilkesboro Speedway has become America’s throwback racetrack.

“We’re incredibly thankful for every race fan who supports North Wilkesboro Speedway and blessed to host the NASCAR All-Star Race. Along with NASCAR nation, we look forward to a fantastic show on this historic short track tonight and then another history-making weekend in Charlotte at the Coca-Cola 600 next week.”

Fans can also tune in to FS1 at 8:00 p.m. ET for tonight’s NASCAR All-Star Race as 23 Cup Series competitors battle in the grand finale of the week for $1 million.

For 2026, fans who renew North Wilkesboro Speedway NASCAR tickets and camping tomorrow through June 17 will get a free pair of Shady Rays sunglasses along with the best available pricing.

Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on X and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the North Wilkesboro Speedway mobile app.

Information provided by Speedway Motorsports

Noah Gragson, driver of the No. 4 Rural King Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports, won the fan vote for the third straight year and will advance to the NASCAR All-Star Race.

NOAH GRAGSON, No. 4 Rural King Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “It means a lot.  I’m very grateful to have all of the support from the fans and I feel like we’ve got a pretty good race car.  We struggled.  I lost power steering in the Open race, so we’re gonna try and get that better for the All-Star Race.  It’s such a cool atmosphere here and such a cool experience.  I’m very lucky to be able to be a part of it.”

RYAN PREECE, No. 60 Boston Common Golf Ford Mustang Dark Horse –WHAT HAPPENED ON THE RESTART AND RUNNING OVER THE RESTART BOX?  “I don’t think it was a restart, I think it’s a cone that’s non-existent.  I don’t know.  You can’t even see it right now.  A rule is a rule.  I understand that, but at the end of the day I made the mistake.  I’m just frustrated with the decision.”

HOCEVAR WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU THE POINT BECAUSE HE DIDN’T WANT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH YOU.  DOES THAT MAKE IT HURT WORSE?  “No.  What are you gonna do?  There’s nothing you can do.  Maybe we need to rethink how we do it if there’s a lot of rubber caked up on it.  Ultimately, we had a fast Boston Common Golf Ford Mustang..”

Ford Performance PR

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (May 17, 2025) – Brad Keselowski’s hopes of a breakthrough NASCAR All-Star Race victory were high after winning the pole on Friday, but a dominant Heat Race win on Saturday made Keselowski even more confident.

The driver of the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford held off a spirited charge from Ross Chastain and William Byron – both on fresher tires after pitting during a mid-race caution – to win the first of two 75-lap NASCAR All-Star Heat Races. Christopher Bell dominated the second Heat Race from the pole, beating Joey Logano to the finish line by 2.085 seconds.

Keselowski’s Heat Race victory was his second in a row, while Bell notched the first of his career. The pair will take the green flag first and second on Sunday.

“It doesn’t hurt,” said Keselowski. “It’s been a good two days for everyone on this No. 6 crew. It’s good to be running up front and running fast. This is fun.”

Chastain was exuberant after finishing second in Heat Race 1 and earning a third-place starting spot for Sunday’s race. Byron, Ryan Blaney and Alex Bowman completed the top five with Josh Berry sixth.

“After starting from the tail, in a row by ourselves, just to pass three cars would’ve been progress for us,” Chastain said. “It feels so good to run like this. This place is as fun as it looks.”

Bell rolled off first for Heat 2 and asserted his dominance early. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver wasn’t challenged over the first 30 laps and found it easier than expected to keep Logano at bay for the remainder of the event.

“Maybe the Mobil 1 Camry’s a million-dollar Camry,” said Bell. “The guys did an amazing job making this car better overnight. It was nice being able to cruise for those first 30 laps and take care of our tires. This thing was on rails.”

Logano, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch and Chris Buescher completed the top five in Heat 2 and will comprise the outside for Rows 2 through 5 when Sunday’s $1 million All-Star showcase roars to life.

Carson Hocevar claimed victory after a two-tire call allowed him to take the lead. John Hunter Nemechek scored a runner-up finish, also racing his way into the big show.

“Super big for this group, this team,” said Hocevar. “It’s great to win, especially being challenged by tires there. I had my hands full. We definitely have to go to work here on our race car because I didn’t really like it, but it’s a good sign that we didn’t like it and we were still pretty quick there.”

As for Nemechek, he’s just excited to “have a shot to go win a million dollars. Hats off to this No. 42 team. We unloaded and we had good two — or three-lap speed, but no longer on pace. Proud of them for the effort they put in yesterday and what they were able to find, and pitting there at that last deal, I knew I couldn’t win from where I was at. We came and got two (tires) and that helped us out. Hats off to the whole 42 team. Proud of the effort.”

The first drivers out were Erik Jones in third, Ty Dillon in fourth, and Zane Smith in fifth. It was also a race of missed opportunities for pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen, as well as Ryan Preece, who made a costly error under caution.

As for the Fan Vote, it was Noah Gragson who claimed the honor, taking the final spot in the grid for the All-Star Race.

“The fans are the GOATs. It’s awesome to be part of this All-Star Race,” said Gragson. “Thank God for that Open Race, because I feel like we got the balance fixed.”

Race recap

As the Open race got underway, van Gisbergen quickly drove away from the rest of the field. Gragson, who started third, fell back early after contact from John Hunter Nemechek. Gragson quickly faded out of contention after that.

Meanwhile, the battle for the second and final transfer spot was dramatic from the get-go as Spire Motorsport teammates Hocevar and McDowell doored each other.

In the back, Todd Gilliland was forced to pit under green with a flat tire. SVG remained unchallenged at the front of the field, leading until the pre-planned competition caution halfway through the race.

The running order saw a major shakeup as several drivers opted for two tires. Surprisingly, SVG did not and it proved costly, losing five spots on pit road. While he struggled to move forward, Preece, who also sacrificed some track position for four fresh tires, made some big moves.

He muscled his way by Gibbs for the second and final transfer spot and soon after, the caution flag flew for an incident involving Riley Herbst with just over 20 to go. A replay showed that he had some help from McDowell, who sent him into the outside wall.

Preece, who was second, ran over the choose box and was sent to the rear of the field as a result. It was a heartbreaking error for the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, who claimed the box was difficult to see.

On the restart, Nemechek muscled his way by Wallace and took the final transfer spot by force. With no more yellows, this is how the race would end with Hocevar and Nemechek finishing 1-2.

After the checkered flag, SVG and Todd Gilliland got into it with some contact on the cool-down lap and a conversation on pit road later on.

The NASCAR All-Star Race added two first-time participants – winner Carson Hocevar and runner-up John Hunter Nemechek – through the All-Star Open on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Noah Gragson qualified for his third All-Star Race start by winning the Fan Vote for the third consecutive year.

Hocevar, though, felt like the real winner. The Spire Motorsports driver assumed the point after pole winner Shane van Gisbergen dominated the opening 50 laps, but pitted for four tires under a caution period and never recovered the track position.

Hocevar used a quick two-tire stop, clean air and a strong car to keep all comers at bay, while a slew of contenders fought it out for the second transfer spot. Nemechek’s Legacy Motor Club team opted to take four tires under a late caution for Riley Herbst’s spin, and used the improved grip to catch and pass Bubba Wallace for second. Wallace faded to eighth on old tires.

Ty Dillon ended up third with Erik Jones fourth and Michael McDowell fifth. Gragson advanced after finishing 17th.

CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 SPIRE MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET (Race Winner): “Super big for this group, this team. It’s great to win, especially being challenged by tires there. I had my hands full. We definitely have to go to work here on our race car because I didn’t really like it, but it’s a good sign that we didn’t like it and we were still pretty quick there.”

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK, NO. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB TOYOTA (Runner-Up): “We have a shot to go win a million dollars. Hats off to this No. 42 team. We unloaded and we had good two- or three-lap speed, but no longer on pace. Proud of them for the effort they put in yesterday and what they were able to find, and pitting there at that last deal, I knew I couldn’t win from where I was at. We came and got two (tires) and that helped us out. Hats off to the whole 42 team. Proud of the effort.”

NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 4 FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS FORD (Fan Vote Winner): “The fans are the GOATs. It’s awesome to be part of this All-Star Race. Thank God for that Open Race, because I feel like we got the balance fixed.”

MORE INFO:
Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star Week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on X and Instagram or by becoming a Facebook fan.

SMLLC PR