NASCAR All-Star Race Returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway for Third Consecutive Year – Speedway Digest

North Wilkesboro, NC – The NASCAR All-Star Race, one of the sport’s most prestigious exhibition events, returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, 2025, marking the third straight year the historic short track hosts the 41st running of the $1 million spectacle. As the eighth time the All-Star Race ventures outside its traditional home at Charlotte Motor Speedway, anticipation is high for a thrilling showcase of NASCAR’s top talent.

A Star-Studded Field

Twenty-three drivers are set to compete in the 250-lap main event, with 20 already qualified based on their status as 2024 or 2025 race winners, past All-Star Race winners, or full-time NASCAR Cup Series champions. Three additional drivers will transfer from the 100-lap All-Star Open, including the top two finishers and the winner of the fan vote, a title claimed by Noah Gragson in 2023 and 2024. Harrison Burton stands out as the only driver making his All-Star Race debut, adding a fresh face to the high-stakes competition.

The field boasts six past All-Star Race winners: Kyle Larson (2019, 2021, 2023), Joey Logano (2016, 2024), Ryan Blaney (2022), Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Busch (2017), and Denny Hamlin (2015). Larson, with three wins in the last six years, is tied for the second-most All-Star victories behind Jimmie Johnson’s four. Logano, fresh off his 2024 triumph, carries momentum with a record-setting streak of 10 consecutive top-10 finishes in the event.

Hendrick and Penske Dominate

Recent history favors Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske, who have split the last five All-Star Races. Hendrick’s 11 victories lead all organizations, with Larson and Elliott contributing to their recent success. Penske’s Logano and Blaney have kept pace, securing Ford’s three wins in the last seven races. Meanwhile, Toyota remains winless since 2017, with Chevrolet claiming four victories in the same span.

Format and Storylines

The 2025 All-Star Race format features 250 laps with a mandatory caution around lap 100 and a promotional caution option before lap 220, ensuring strategic pit stops and restarts. Qualifying for both the All-Star Heat Races and the Open includes a unique three-lap session with a four-tire pit stop on lap two, doubling as the Pit Crew Challenge. Christopher Bell’s No. 20 crew, winners of the $100,000 bonus and trophy in 2023 and 2024, are favored to three-peat, having posted times of 13.012 and 13.223 seconds, respectively.

Two 75-lap Heat Races set the All-Star Race starting lineup, with Heat 1 determining the inside row and Heat 2 the outside. The All-Star Open offers a 100-lap path for non-qualified drivers, with cautions around lap 50 and overtime rules in play. The pole position has proven advantageous, producing seven All-Star Race wins, including Logano’s 2024 victory and Larson’s 2021 triumph.

Championship Implications

The All-Star Race has become a harbinger of championship success, with the winner capturing the Cup Series title in three of the last five years and 13 times overall. All nine winners since 2016 are Cup champions, raising the stakes for drivers like Larson, Logano, and Blaney. Brad Keselowski, however, remains a driver to watch. With 16 All-Star starts and three runner-up finishes—tied for the most without a win—he’s due for a breakthrough.

North Wilkesboro’s Revival

North Wilkesboro Speedway, revitalized after years of dormancy, has embraced its role as the All-Star Race host since 2023. The track’s gritty, short-track racing style has produced memorable moments, though rain canceled the 2023 Heat Races, where Daniel Suarez and Chris Buescher claimed victories. Fans and drivers alike praise the facility’s blend of nostalgia and modern upgrades, making it a fitting stage for NASCAR’s showcase event.

As the 2025 All-Star Race approaches, all eyes are on whether Larson can add a fourth win, if Logano can extend his top-10 streak, or if a new face like Burton can steal the spotlight. With a $1 million prize, a passionate fanbase, and championship implications, North Wilkesboro is poised to deliver another unforgettable chapter in NASCAR history.