Last time out, Kyle Larson turned in a dominant performance at Kansas Speedway. The driver of the #5 holds all the momentum as we head to North Wilkesboro for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race.
Unlike most of the NASCAR schedule, the NASCAR All-Star race pays zero points towards the eventual championship. Instead, drivers compete for pride and the $1 million winner’s purse. Who will secure bragging rights in the foothills of North Carolina?
Let’s dive in!
2025 NASCAR All-Star Open Entry List
2025 NASCAR All-Star Race Entry List
Unlike other races on the NASCAR Cup schedule, not all 36 charter entries are guaranteed a spot in the main event at North Wilkesboro. Instead, drivers qualify for the All-Star race by virtue of winning last season or by racing their way in through the All-Star Open. Kyle Busch finds himself locked into the All-Star Race by virtue of his multiple NASCAr Cup Series Championships instead of an individual race win.
The stars will shine with $1 million on the line. #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/denQ1AY9zO
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 14, 2025
In total, three drivers will advance from the All-Star Open – the top two finishers in the 100-lap race, as well as the driver receiving the most fan votes. Those drivers will join the 20 who locked themselves in by virtue of winning last season. Of note, Harrison Burton returns to the Cup Series for the first time this season as he’ll pilot the #51 for Rick Ware Racing. Burton won last season at Daytona and races full-time in the Xfinity Series this year.
The only other non-charter driver in the Open or All-Star Race is Chad Finchum in the #66.
Race Format
The All-Star Race tweaks the typical race format we see on a weekly basis. Instead of having three stages, we’ll see one competition break at lap 100 of 250. We also have the potential for an optional promoter’s caution, which must be thrown before lap 220. The starting position for both the All-Star Race heat races and the Open will be set by the Pit Crew Challenge on Friday night. The Pit Crew Challenge consists of a three-lap qualifying run with a mandatory four-tire stop.
One Hot Night lived up to all the hype. #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/BiiTn5nKu2
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 15, 2025
Once the order is set, the Open features a 100-lap sprint with a break at or around lap 50. The pair of 75-lap heat races set the ultimate starting order for the main event.
In addition to the typical race winner, Sunday’s main event also features the Manufacturer Showdown. NASCAR takes the best finishing drivers from Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, and the winner of the challenge possesses the lowest average finishing order.
2025 NASCAR All-Star Race Predictions
North Wilkesboro’s short track circuit means track position matters immensely. As we see every time the Gen 7 car hits a short track, passing difficulty remains off the charts. However, that doesn’t mean fireworks won’t fly when the drivers hit the track on Sunday. The bumpers of these cars make for the best possible weapon when completing a pass. Of course, that also lends itself to tempers flaring.
Fight! pic.twitter.com/2ZQhL4VcSy
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 20, 2024
Expect beating and banging all around the track, both in the Open and in the main event. As for who claims victory on Sunday night, I think a lot of it will come down to which team performs best in the Pit Crew Challenge and secures a strong starting position.
With that being said, given how well the #11 team has run at short tracks and their ability on pit road, Denny Hamlin represents my pick for the winner in 2025’s NASCAR All-Star Race.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action this weekend.
Friday 05/16
All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (NASCAR Cup Series Open) – 5:00 p.m. CT on FS1
All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race) – 6:00 p.m. CT on FS1
Saturday 05/17
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 9:35 a.m. CT on FS2
Window World 250 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) – 12:30 p.m. CT on FS1
All-Star Race Heat No.1 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 4:10 p.m. CT on FS2
All-Star Race Heat No. 2 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 5:15 p.m. CT on FS2
Sunday 05/18
FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150 (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) – 1:00 p.m. CT on FloRacing
All-Star Open (NASCAR Cup Series) – 4:00 p.m. CT on FS1
All-Star Race (NASCAR Cup Series) – 7:00 p.m. CT on FS1 and Max
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