“It looked like a great race for the win. I wish I could have been a part of it. I thought the race was much better this year than last year, so that was cool to see,” said Chase Elliott. The 2025 All-Star Race, a 250-lap non-points exhibition, delivered a heart-pounding saga of speed, strategy, and controversy. Christopher Bell, piloting the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, claimed victory, crossing the finish line 0.829 seconds ahead of Joey Logano’s No. 22 Ford. Race data paints a vivid picture: 18 lead changes among eight drivers, five cautions totaling 32 laps, and relentless battles that kept fans on edge. Kudos to the team that made it possible, SMI.
Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) had resurrected this historic track in 2022, dormant for decades, and the All-Star Race was its crowning moment. A 15% attendance surge from the previous year, with every seat filled and standing-room-only sections packed. The Wilkesboro’s records highlighted the economic surge, estimating $10 million in revenue for local businesses as hotels, restaurants, and shops buzzed with race-weekend energy. This wasn’t just a race; it was a love letter to NASCAR’s roots with modern upgrades through repaved surfaces and expanded grandstands. And the CEO is more than happy!
Record numbers are prompting racers to come back sooner
“For the third straight year, we’ve had tremendous support from fans not only in North Carolina but around the world who are captivated by the return of North Wilkesboro Speedway to the NASCAR circuit,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “We look forward to a fantastic show on this historic short track tonight and then another history-making weekend in Charlotte at the Coca-Cola 600 next week.” The numbers backed his enthusiasm: over 2 million social media impressions, a 15% attendance increase, and a sold-out crowd underscored the track’s triumphant return.
The race set All-Star superlatives: 59 green flag passes for the lead, the most in race history; 18 lead changes at the start/finish line, a record; 1,426 green flag passes, second only to 2018; and eight different leaders, tied for second-most with 2002. This intensity fueled the drama, especially a contentious lap 216 caution that bunched the field with 33 laps left. But not everyone was happy about the way the All-Star race concluded. The reasons? Tire management, bad luck, and a ‘surprise’ caution!
Some All Star Race superlatives:
59 green flag passes for the lead, the most in All Star Race history
18 lead changes at start/finish, most in race history
1426 green flag passes, second most (2018) in ASR
8 different leaders, tied for second most (2002, 9)
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) May 19, 2025
The race was a non-stop thrill ride. Brad Keselowski, starting on pole, led 61 laps early, fending off Logano in a lap-after-lap duel from laps 17 to 23. William Byron grabbed the lead on lap 66 after a two-tire stop during a lap 57 caution triggered by Daniel Suarez’s tire failure. A pre-planned caution on lap 101 reshuffled the field, with Christopher Bell exiting pit road first. Logano surged ahead by lap 124, but Bell fought back, going side-by-side on lap 229 in a heart-stopping duel. And ultimately, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver emerged victorious. He deserved it!
Christopher Bell started second, led 26 laps across four stints, boasting an average running position of 2.95 and spending 234 laps in the top five. His fastest lap, 18.586 seconds (121.059 mph), came on lap 187. #22 driver, starting fourth, was the race’s dominant force, leading 139 laps across seven stints, but the JGR driver’s late surge stole the show. All thanks to the tire management strategy implemented by his crew. But a bizarre moment came when FOX’s Michael Waltrip dropped a flag on the track, causing a brief scare but no major chaos. And Sliced Bread could not take it sportily.
Joey Logano, who led 117 laps at that point, was furious. “I’m trying to choose my words correctly on the caution situation. Obviously I got bit by it, so I am the one frustrated. I felt like the falloff wasn’t too bad as the sun went down, and yeah, six cars or so stayed out with us,” he said after the race. His remarks hinted at tension with SMI’s Marcus Smith, who defended the call as “fan-friendly”. The controversy exploded online, with fans picking sides. But ultimately, most fans had only good things to say about this year’s All-Star race.
All is well when the fans find it well
One fan posted, “Was a great race, but like the broadcast mentioned, a full field in the afternoon sun for 400 laps would be a hell of a race.” This reaction, garnering significant engagement, reflected fans’ love for the All-Star Race’s intensity—59 green flag passes and 18 lead changes, per race stats, while imagining an even grander event. The sold-out 40,000-strong crowd and the track’s electric atmosphere fueled this vision. Another fan shared, “Would have never thought we woulda saw the race we saw tonight. Good race.” The unexpected thrill of a race with 1,426 green flag passes and eight leaders. Moments like Bell’s lap 241 pass and the lap 229 duel with Logano drove the shock value.
A user posted, “If you thought the All Star race was a big ball of fun, wait till we get to the in season tournament! #NASCAR #TMDNASCAR.” The 2 million social media impressions reported by SMI amplified the buzz, with fans excited for more NASCAR experiments. The post’s optimism was tied to North Wilkesboro’s revival, though some replies referenced Logano’s frustration, showing the lap 216 caution debate lingered. One fan tweeted, “That might have been the best All Star race since ‘92. Great work @NWBSpeedway. It’s earned a points race by now, don’t you think @NASCAR?”
An X user declared, “Nascar All Star race was probably the best race of the year so far.” With widespread engagement, this reaction highlighted the race’s intensity. On lap 241, Bell bumped Logano between Turns 1 and 2, seizing the lead and holding it to the finish. Kyle Larson, starting 19th, climbed to third with a two-tire stop on lap 178, while Ross Chastain’s battles for third kept the action buzzing.
To add to this, media outlets called it a “masterclass in short-track racing,” praising SMI’s meticulous upgrades that preserved the track’s raw charm while enhancing fan comfort. So, does it call for a celebratory points race at the venue? Let us know in the comments below.
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