The NASCAR All-Star Race is a beast all its own, a night where the usual rules get thrown out the window, and the focus shifts from points to pure, unadulterated spectacle. Set for May 18, 2025, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, this race is a no-holds-barred affair, designed to crown the best of the best in a single, electrifying showdown.
Unlike your typical Cup Series race, where strategy and consistency rule, the All-Star Race is all about shaking things up, with a format that’s as unpredictable as a last-lap pass. This year, it’s got a new twist: a “promoter’s caution”.
For fans, the All-Star Race is a chance to see their heroes go all-out without the pressure of a points race, but for the drivers, it’s a different kind of challenge. The race will feature not just the promoter’s caution but also a mandatory competition caution at Lap 100, adding layers of unpredictability. With $1 million on the line and a format that’s part race, part show, expect late-race drama, bold moves, and maybe even a few surprises. It’s a night where the stars will shine brightest, but whether they can navigate the twists and turns of this year’s rules? That’s anyone’s guess.
For last year’s winner, Joey Logano, his reaction to the promoter’s caution is a mix of dry humor and genuine concern, and it’s easy to see why. In a video shared by Bob Pockrass on X, Logano, decked out in his Team Penske firesuit, stood in front of a microphone, his expression a blend of skepticism and a half-smile. “It’s an interesting way to do it. I guess the all-star race presents the opportunity to do things outside of the box.,” acknowledging the All-Star Race’s tradition of experimenting with formats. Remember the inverted starting line-up? Or the manufactured showdown? It added a layer of action to the race.
Defending all-star winner Joey Logano isn’t sure what to think on Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith being allowed to throw a caution sometime between Laps 100-220 of all-star race. Practice/quals today on FS2/FS1, heats Saturday on FS2. Race 8p ET Sunday on FS1. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/nip68jJgzz
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 16, 2025
But this time, Logano’s not impressed. “I am not really sure how I feel about that part of it. At least we know it’s coming right and we can plan around it,”
The “promoter’s caution” allows Marcus Smith, the CEO of Speedway Motorsports, to throw a yellow flag anytime between Laps 100 and 220, a move designed to spice up the race by bunching up the field and creating opportunities for drama. According to Brad Moran, managing director of the NASCAR Cup Series, this is what it will be like. “It should be fun, it should be interesting. They do have the option to call the caution at Lap 220. However, if there is a natural caution at Lap 200 or beyond that, the caution would go away. It’s the All-Star, we like it to be exciting… It’s just going to make it more exciting.”
But for Logano, a driver who thrives on strategy and precision, this randomness feels like a wild card he can’t control. Absurd might be the word he’s holding back, but it’s the sentiment that hangs in the air. After all, how do you plan a race when the promoter can hit the reset button on a whim? It’s a rule that challenges the very essence of racing, where skill and preparation should reign, not the arbitrary decision of a non-driver. Logano’s reaction isn’t just personal—it’s a reflection of a broader tension between tradition and innovation in NASCAR, a sport that’s always walking the line between spectacle and sport.
And Logano is not the only one who’s puzzled by the decision. Just a few weeks ago, Kyle Busch made his feelings clear. “What are we doing? If we’re Bailey and Barnum (the circus), then let’s just freaking call it Bailey and Barnum. I mean, they went out of business.
Stars to Watch and What to Expect From the All-Star Race
As the All-Star Race approaches, all eyes are on the drivers who could steal the show, and with a format this unpredictable, anything can happen. William Byron is a name to circle—he’s coming off a win at the Daytona 500 and is second in the standings. He has the speed to handle North Wilkesboro’s short track.
Don’t count out Kyle Larson either—his versatility on short tracks makes him a threat, especially with the “promoter’s caution” potentially shaking up the field just when he’s in striking distance. The race itself promises a mix of chaos and strategy, starting with two heat races on Saturday, May 17, to set the lineup, followed by a 100-lap All-Star Open on Sunday, May 18, where three drivers will advance to the main event.
The “Manufacturer Showdown,” where Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota battle for the best combined finish, will also shake things up, potentially influencing team strategies. With $1 million on the line and a format that’s part race, part show, expect late-race drama, bold moves, and maybe even a few surprises from drivers like Chase Elliott, who’s always a fan favorite, or Denny Hamlin, who thrives in high-pressure situations. It’s a night where the stars will shine brightest, but whether they can navigate the “promoter’s caution” and come out on top? That’s anyone’s guess.
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