NASCAR
NASCAR has announced the format for the 2023 All-Star Race that will be held at North Wilkesboro Speedway, marking the first time the Cup Series will race at the historic venue since 1996.
The format will be as follows:
Friday, May 19:
NASCAR will hold a combined Cup Series practice for All-Star and Open cars, followed by a Pit Crew Challenge.
The Pit Crew Challenge will consist of a four-tire pit stop that decides the lineups for Saturday’s Heat races and All-Star Open. Odd rankings of the Pit Crew Challenge will race in Heat 1; even rankings will start in Heat 2.
Saturday, May 20:
On Saturday, NASCAR will hold two heat races, 60 laps each. All laps will count. The result of Heat 1 will determine the All-Star Race inside row; the result of Heat 2 will determine the outside row.
After the heat races, there will be a 100-lap All-Star Open race for those not locked in. A competition caution will fall on or around Lap 40. The top-two finishers will transfer to the All-Star race, as well as the winner of the All-Star fan vote.
For both the heat races and All-Star Open, drivers will start on sticker tires and have only one additional set to utilize in the box.
Sunday, May 21
The All-Star Race will consist of 200 laps and again, all laps will count (green and yellow). There will be a competition caution on or around lap 100. Teams will start on sticker tires and have three-additional sets in the box but can ONLY put sticker tires on once after the competition break at lap 100.
The winner receives one million dollars.
Eligibility and those Eligible:
Those eligible for the NASCAR All-Star Race include drivers who won a points event in either 2022 or 2023, drivers who won a NASCAR All-Star Race and compete full-time and drivers who won a NASCAR Cup Series championship and compete full-time.
Drivers who have already clinched an All-Star Race spot: Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Daniel Suarez, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Martin Truex Jr. and Bubba Wallace.
The NASCAR All-Star Race will air live on FS1, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 8 p.m. ET on May 21.
Written by Noah Lewis
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Photo Credit: NASCAR, Press Release
