Time to spice up the schedule. The NASCAR Cup Series has progressed towards the 2025 playoffs with 12 points-paying races so far. Now, the grid is heading to North Wilkesboro Speedway for a non-points event – but it is equally special, if not more. The NASCAR All-Star Race is coming up, with drivers gearing up to showcase their prowess and vie for the $1 million prize. However, this race is not open to all. So, who are the stars who will be able to compete in the All-Star Race? Read more to find out.
NASCAR All-Star Race – a medley of talents
Remember the 2024 All-Star Race? Three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano picked up his second trophy at the exhibition event. At the end of the event, veteran driver Kyle Busch had a massive fistfight with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.! Yes, when there are NASCAR stars around, such aggression is always a possibility. However, let’s hope we can have a brawl-free event, nonetheless. With so many stars competing, the sport has a special formula to select the drivers for the event.
Drivers who run the race must have either won points races, be past NASCAR All-Star Race winners, or be former Cup Series champions. Among past trophy-mongers are all the familiar stars – Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and so many more. Additionally, there will be the All-Star Open, a separate 100-lap race on Sunday. This is for those who are not eligible for the main race, and the top two finishers will get to compete in the All-Star Race. Another driver would get lucky based on a fan vote. The top five names leading in the latter category so far are Shane Van Gisbergen, Noah Gragson, Carson Hocevar, Ryan Preece, and Bubba Wallace.
The stars will shine with $1 million on the line. #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/denQ1AY9zO
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 14, 2025
Journalist Bob Pockrass updated the qualifying details in a Fox Sports article. He wrote, “Qualifying will be on Friday. There will be three laps with a four-tire pit stop after the second lap. The total time will determine the lineup for the Open and All-Star heats. The pit stop time will determine the order of pit selection.” He added, “For drivers automatically in the All-Star race, they will compete in 75-lap heat races on Saturday. The first heat race will determine the inside lane of the main event; the second heat race the outside lane.”
As our favorite Cup Series drivers head to North Wilkesboro, the enthusiasm can hardly be contained! Let us see how the 2025 All-Star festivities turn out.
Stay tuned for updates!
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