NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports officials announced Wednesday the format for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race, including an expanded 250-lap main event, a new promoter’s caution rule, revisions to the Pit Crew Challenge and an enhanced spotlight on manufacturer competition.
The annual Cup Series exhibition is scheduled for Sunday, May 18 (8 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM) at North Wilkesboro Speedway, marking the third consecutive year for the All-Star Race at the historic 0.625-mile track. It’s the culmination of an action-stuffed four-day weekend that includes races for the Craftsman Truck Series, Whelen Modified Tour and CARS Tour.
The two previous editions of the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro were held with 200-lap features. This year’s main event will expand by 50 laps, including a competition break at or near the 100-lap mark and the potential for an extra intermission that’s new for 2025.
A single, optional promoter’s caution flag potentially will be in the mix to reshape the race’s complexion. If that yellow flag takes place, it must fly before Lap 220 and cannot be used if a naturally occurring caution happens after Lap 200.
A competition within the race will place an emphasis on automaker performance, with Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota teams facing off in the Manufacturer Showdown. Manufacturer teams will include all drivers from the least represented manufacturer, and an equal number of drivers from the other two manufacturers selected based on their final All-Star grid positions. Team drivers will be scored against each other and the team with the lowest combined total of finishing positions will be the winner. Any tie would be broken by the best overall finish among the group.
“The NASCAR All-Star Race continues to evolve as one of the most fun and innovative events on our calendar,” said John Probst, executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Returning to historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third year in a row allows us to honor our sport’s roots while pushing the envelope with fresh competitive elements. The introduction of the Manufacturer Showdown brings a new layer of intensity and pride for our OEM partners, and fans can expect even more strategy, teamwork and drama on race day.”
Other procedures remain intact from the previous year’s running, including Sunday’s All-Star Open — a 100-lap qualifying race with a competition break at or near Lap 40 for drivers not already eligible for the main event. Three drivers will advance — the Open’s top two finishers and the top vote-getter in fan balloting.
The qualifying structure will be revised this year, with All-Star and Open drivers in a combined qualifying session with the Pit Crew Challenge expanded to include all teams. A three-lap qualifying effort will include a mandatory four-tire pit stop on the second lap, and the total time will set both the All-Star Open starting lineup and the starting grid for Saturday’s pair of 60-lap All-Star heats.
The fastest stop — measured by the elapsed time from timing lines one pit stall before and after a designated pit box — will determine the winner of the Pit Crew Challenge. Those results will be reflected in the order for pit-stall selection, with the winning team picking first.
Drivers eligible for the NASCAR All-Star Race include those who’ve won a points event in either 2024 or 2025, drivers who’ve won a NASCAR All-Star Race and compete full-time, and drivers who’ve won a NASCAR Cup Series championship and compete full-time.
Drivers already eligible for the All-Star Race main event include (in alphabetical order): Christopher Bell, Josh Berry, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Daniel Suárez.
Via NASCAR.COM