After qualifying third for the this year’s Indianapolis 500, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward met with the media to discuss his strong showing. But when asked about the technical violation involving Team Penske’s two remaining cars in Fast 12 qualifying, he did not hold back.

IndyCar officials found something amiss with the rear attenuator on Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 Chevrolet. Will Power’s No. 12 Chevrolet had the same issue, but was already sitting in the pit lane. Penske decided to work on the cars, believing they could rectify the problem and still qualify without issue, but that was not the case.

In the end, both cars were pulled out of line and took no further part in qualifying. They, along with Scott McLaughlin who crashed heavily in Sunday morning practice, will share Row 4 (10th – 12th) on the grid. But O’Ward thinks the immediate punishment should have been far more severe.

Patricio O’ward, Arrow McLaren

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

“They weren’t accidentally doing it because they had the blowtorch right there in order to get it out,” said O’Ward. “Honestly, I feel for [Jacob] Abel and for everybody that did the last chance qualifying. Those (Penske) cars weren’t in regulations.”

Rookie Jacob Abel was the lone driver who failed to qualify for the Indy 500, losing out in the LCQ to Rinus VeeKay, Marcus Armstrong, and Marco Andretti. Meanwhile, all three Penske cars were fast enough for the Fast 12 via their efforts on Saturday.

“I’m not an engineer, so I can’t tell you what they were doing, how much speed that it is or if it is any speed,” continued O’Ward. “Obviously it’s not in regulation. The rule is pretty black and white. Those cars should have been in the last chance qualifier. Like, those cars should have never — obviously they didn’t do anything in the Fast 12, but they should have been brought into the LCQ because they had that yesterday, I guarantee you. Until someone pointed it out today. Those cars, if they’re disqualified today, they should have been disqualified yesterday.

“It’s a shame really because they don’t need to be doing that stuff. They’re a great team. They have got great drivers. Why are doing that? It makes no sense.”

North Wilkesboro Speedway results from the $1M to win NASCAR All-Star Race

Who wants to be a millionaire? Tonight, the 0.625-mile of North Wilkesboro Speedway is set to host the NASCAR All-Star Race.

View the NASCAR All-Star Race results below.

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Cup : Prac/Qual | Heats | Lineup | Open | All-Star Race

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Brad Keselowski and Christopher Bell set the front row. 250 laps of short track racing are up next…

All-Star
Race Report

Green flag, Chastain makes it three wide for the lead into turn two. A lap later, Keselowski is clear for the lead.

249 to go, Chase Elliott works to the outside of Christopher Bell in the battle for 2nd. Joey Logano sticks his nose in there to make it three wide for 2nd. Laps later, Logano wins the battle.

245 to go, Logano works the inside lane. He pulls even with Keselowski but he can’t complete the pass.

194 to go, Daniel Suarez is in the outside wall, caution.

Green, Keselowski clears Byron before turn one. Kyle Busch rolls the top and he works to the right rear of Keselowski. Byron run the inside, three wide for the lead! Laps later, Byron wins the battle and takes the lead away.

171 to go, Logano runs Byron wide, Logano to the lead!

Competition caution

150 to go, the competition caution is out.

Logano leads the field to the pit lane. Bell wins the race to the pit exit.

Green, Bell clears Logano off turn two.

137 to go, Ross Chastain spins after contact with Austin Cindric, caution.

Green, Bell and Logano rub doors for the lead. After several laps, Logano to the lead!

75 to go, Brad Keselowski gets loose and slams the outside wall, caution.

Logano leads the field to the pit lane. Larson takes just two tires and wins the race to the pit exit.

Green, Larson and Logano run side by side for the lead. After several laps, Logano clears him with four fresh tires. Bell takes over 2nd.

Competition caution

35 to go, the competition caution is out.

Logano and Blaney stay out. It’s a lengthy stop for Larson as he has a broken toe link. Bell restarts 6th with fresh tires.

Green, Logano and Blaney run side by side at the front. Logano wins the battle via the outside lane.

Blaney bobbles and the field swallows him. Blaney falls all the way to 15th as they took him four wide.

24 to go, Christopher Bell takes over 2nd. Bell drives right to the bumper of Logano, they race for the race.

21 to go, Bell gets loose and doors Logano, Logano holds the lead.

12 to go, Bell works to the outside of Logano. Logano runs him wide and holds the lead!

10 to go, Bell slides Logano, doors him and takes the lead away.

Christopher Bell wins the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway!

North Wilkesboro Speedway
Race Results
May 18, 2025
NASCAR Cup Series

Pos | Driver

1. Christopher Bell

2. Joey Logano

3. Ross Chastain

4. Alex Bowman

5. Chase Elliott

6. William Byron

7. Tyler Reddick

8. Kyle Busch

9. Chase Briscoe

10. Chris Buescher

11. Carson Hocevar

12. Denny Hamlin

13. Noah Gragson

14. Austin Dillon

15. Ricky Stenhouse Jr

16. Ryan Blaney

17. Josh Berry

18. Austin Cindric

19. John Hunter Nemechek

20. Harrison Burton

21. Kyle Larson

22. Brad Keselowski

23. Daniel Suarez

North Wilkesboro Speedway
Video Highlights

Links

North Wilkesboro Speedway | NASCAR

For the first time since the race was held exclusively at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the NASCAR All-Star Race is being contested at the same venue for the third year in a row.

The Cup Series returned to North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2023 for the first time since 1996, and while there continue to be calls for the four-turn, 0.625-mile (1.006-kilometer) North Wilkesboro, North Carolina oval to host a points race for the first time in nearly three decades, it is once again back as the host of the All-Star Race in 2025.

There were 20 drivers who entered the weekend locked into the race, having met one (or more) of the following criteria: Cup Series race winner in 2024 or 2025, former Cup Series champion (among full-time drivers), or former All-Star Race winner (among full-time drivers).

The top two drivers in Sunday’s 100-lap All-Star Open also advanced to the 250-lap main event, as did the winner of the Fan Vote. The 20 drivers already locked in secured their starting positions with a unique three-lap, pit stop challenge qualifying format, which split the field into two 75-lap heat races.

RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski was the fastest qualifier, and he took the pole position even before he won his heat race. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell won the other heat race.

Follow along with our live updates.

Full NASCAR All-Star Race results

Heat one results

1st – Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford

2nd – Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

4rd – Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford

5th – Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

5th – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

6th – Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford

7th – Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota

8th – Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

9th – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

Heat two results

1st – Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2nd – Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford

3rd – Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

4th – Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

5th – Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford

6th – Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

7th – Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

8th – Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford

9th – Harrison Burton, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford

10th – Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

All-Star Open results

1st – Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

2nd – John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota

3rd – Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

4th – Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota

5th – Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

6th – Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford

7th – A.J. Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

8th – Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota

9th – Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford

10th – Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota

11th – Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford

12th – Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford

13th – Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

14th – Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

15th – Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

16th – Cody Ware, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford

17th – Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford

18th – Chad Finchum, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford

Fan Vote winner: Noah Gragson

All-Star Race results

1st – Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2nd – Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford

3rd – Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

4th – Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

5th – Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

6th – William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

7th – Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota

8th – Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

9th – Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

10th – Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford

11th – Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

12th – Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

13th – Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford

14th – Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

15th – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

16th – Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford

17th – Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford

18th – Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford

19th – John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota

20th – Harrison Burton, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford

21st – Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

22nd – Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford

23rd – Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

NASCAR Cup Series drivers Ty Dillon and Zane Smith built up some tension between themselves during All-Star Race festivities at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night.

Dillon finished in third place in the All-Star Open, six spots ahead of Smith. Unfortunately, neither driver made it to the final All-Star Race as Carson Hocevar and John Hunter Nemechek finished first and second, respectively, and earned a shot to win the $1 million grand prize.

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Mar 2, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ty Dillon (10) walks out onto the stage for driver introductions before the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. (Jamie Harms/Imagn Images)

Dillon took issue with how Smith was driving and suggested it cost him a spot in the final race of the night. He was asked what he told Smith after the race.

“Coming off (Turn) 4, I think I gave him plenty of room, and he just doors me halfway down the straightaway. … There’s something about the younger guys in the sport now. They never had to deal with consequences,” he said, via Dirty Mo Media.

“So, what I told him was if he wrecks me again, I’m just gonna beat his a–.”

Mar 15, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Zane Smith (38) during qualifying for the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)

NASCAR TRUCK SERIES STAR LAMENTS OPPONENT’S ‘SCUM RACING’ AFTER SPINNING OUT ON FINAL LAP

Smith responded in a post on X.

“Ain’t beating nobody’s a–,” he wrote.

The next race for the NASCAR Cup Series is the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday night. It was one of the most anticipated races on the Cup Series schedule.

All eyes will be on Dillon and Smith to see if there’s any kind of retaliation.

Smith is ahead of Dillon in the points standings going into the race. He sits at 22nd, and Dillon is in 30th.

Christopher Bell celebrates after winning the NASCAR All-Star auto race Sunday, May 18, 2025, in North Wilkesboro, N.C.  (Scott Kinser/AP Photo)

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Christopher Bell won the NASCAR All-Star Race and secured the $1 million prize.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports and John Hunter Nemechek of LEGACY Motor Club transferred into the main event as the top two finishers in the All-Star Open.

Hocevar took over the lead when pole winner Shane van Gisbergen opted for four tires under the All-Star Caution at Lap 51. Van Gisbergen had led every lap from the start of the race, but five drivers, including Hocevar, opted for two tires during the stop and beat the New Zealander out of the pits.

When Riley Herbst spun in Turn 3 on Lap 78 to cause the second and final caution, Hocevar stayed out on old tires and pulled away after a Lap 84 restart, beating Nemechek to the finish line by 0.697 seconds.

“It’s great to win, especially being challenged by tires there,” Hocevar said. “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.”

Nemechek, on the other hand, opted for two tires under the yellow and charged from eighth on the restart to second, clearing the Toyota of Bubba Wallace on Lap 90 to claim the second transfer spot.

“We have a shot to go win a million dollars,” Nemechek said. “Hats off to this 42 team. We unloaded and had pretty good two- or three-lap speed, but really no long run pace, so proud of them for the effort that they put in yesterday, and what they were able to find.

“Pitting on 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.”

Hocevar and Nemechek, both main event rookies, earned the 21st and 22nd starting positions, respectively. The final position in the All-Star Race went to Noah Gragson of Front Row Motorsports, who won the All-Star Fan Vote for the third straight year.

Hocevar finished 11th in the All-Star Race. Gragson was 13th and Nemechek 19th.

Ryan Preece was running second in a strong No. 60 Ford, but he was penalized for running over the V-shaped “choose” symbol on the track a lap before the final restart. Sent to the rear of the field, he had no chance to recover.

Preece said he couldn’t see the orange symbol painted on the track, which had been dulled by rubber laid down in a wild NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour race that preceded the Open.

“You can’t even see it right now,” Preece said. “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.”

The symbol was repainted before the All-Star main event.