Three Tire Options for Enhanced Racing
NASCAR has introduced three distinct tire options for teams: the prime tire, a slick option tire, and a wet weather tire. The prime tire will be mandatory for qualifying, while both the prime and option tires will be available for practice, heat races, and the All-Star Open. Teams will have to start on the option tire for the All-Star Race, adding an element of strategy and tire management.
All-Star Weekend Schedule
The All-Star weekend kicks off on Friday, May 17, with a practice session featuring both All-Star and open cars. This will be followed by open qualifying, which will set the grid for the All-Star Open. The All-Star qualifying will feature a thrilling pit crew challenge, where drivers will compete to secure the pole position for Heat Race 1 and the All-Star Race.
On Saturday, May 18, two 60-lap heat races will take place, with teams required to make a four-tire pit stop during each race. Heat Race 1 will determine the starting order for the inside row of the All-Star Race, while Heat Race 2 will set the order for the outside row.
All-Star Race Format and Field
The All-Star Race will take place on Sunday, May 19, and will consist of 200 laps with overtime rules in effect if necessary. There will be a caution at Lap 100, including a mandatory four-tire pit stop, and another caution at Lap 150. Eligible drivers for the All-Star Race include 2023 and 2024 points race winners, past All-Star Race winners, past NASCAR Cup champions, the top two finishers from the All-Star Open, and the NASCAR fan vote winner.
The winner of the All-Star Race will receive a hefty $1 million payday. The current list of drivers who have qualified for the All-Star Race includes: AJ Allmendinger, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez, Martin Truex Jr., and Shane van Gisbergen.
