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Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR All-Star Race to include promoter's caution, new competition
One of NASCAR's favorite traditions is completely changing how the series operates its All-Star Race. 2025 is no different, adding several new elements to the annual exhibition race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. While several aspects remain the same, there are some notable changes. The 'Promoter's Caution'' and the Manufacturer Showdown' are the most notable changes to the event Both will be explained further as we break down the entire format, but the main event has also been extended by 50 laps and Open cars are now included in the pit crew challenge. Advertisement 'In the 40-year history of the All-Star Race there has never been so much on-track action across the entire event week,' said Jessica Fickenscher, executive director of the NASCAR All-Star Race. 'And with so much competition--from the pit crews to the manufacturers to the race teams and drivers--the biggest All-Star winners will be the fans with all they get to see at what's become America's throwback racetrack, North Wilkesboro Speedway. The entire week is truly the most jam-packed entertainment value in all of motorsports.' Atmosphere of All-Star Race Atmosphere of All-Star Race James Gilbert / Getty Images James Gilbert / Getty Images Advertisement Some of this will be familiar while other parts are completely new, but here's a complete breakdown of it all: Eligibility - Race winners from the 2024 and 2025 NASCAR Cup season. - Former All-Star Race winners who currently compete full-time. - Former NASCAR Cup Series champions who currently compete full-time. Qualifying format - Both Open cars and those locked into the All-Star Race will run one flying lap before entering pit road (at speed) on their second lap with the team performing a four-tire pit stop (no fuel). Cars will then exit pit road and complete the lap with the elapsed time from green flag to checkered flag serving as their official qualifying time. This will determine the starting order for both the Open race and the All-Star heat races. Advertisement - Both Open cars and those locked into the All-Star Race will then compete in the Pit Crew Challenge. The pit crew with the fastest stop and no penalties will be awarded the win. This will also determine the order of pit selection for the race. All-Star Heat Races - Two heat races, 60 laps each. - Heat 1 results determine the inside row for the main event while Heat 2 results determine the outside row for the main event. All-Star Open format (for drivers not yet locked into the All-Star Race) - 100 laps; caution laps do count; one attempt at overtime if needed. - Competition caution at or around Lap 40. Advertisement - Top two finishers advance into the All-Star Race along with the Fan Vote winner. All-Star Race format - 250 laps; caution laps do count; no limit to overtime attempts. - Competition caution at or around Lap 100. - An optional Promoter's Caution that can be used at any time between Lap 100 and 200. To put it simply, NASCAR can throw a competition caution whenever they chose up until the final 50 laps in the race, but this can only be used once. Manufacturer Showdown - A battle between the three manufacturers -- Chevrolet, Toyota, Ford - The finishing positions from each of the three OEMs in the All-Star Race will be added together and the lowest cumulative score will be declared the winner. Advertisement - To keep it fair, the manufacturer with the fewest number of cars in the main event will determine how many cars are scored as part of this competition. - Doesn't actually impact the All-Star Race, but is just another incentive for manufacturer bragging rights. Read Also: Katherine Legge pushes back against disturbing comments and "death threats" Talladega entry list features 39 Cup cars, 41 Xfinity, and an Earnhardt Cleetus McFarland gets coaching from Dale Jr. ahead of Talladega ARCA race To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR adds an optional caution flag in latest effort to make its All-Star Race interesting
Another year, another attempt to spice up the NASCAR All-Star Race. NASCAR announced the format for the 2025 edition of the race on Wednesday and this year's iteration includes an optional caution flag that can be thrown before lap 220 of the 250-lap race. Advertisement The caution is a 'promoter's caution' and 'will be in the mix to reshape the race's complexion' according to the release on NASCAR's website. The caution has to be thrown before lap 220, but can't be thrown after lap 200 if a caution for a wreck or debris happens after that lap. Simply put, the optional caution has been added in an attempt to save what could be a boring race. The May 18 race is at the 0.625-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway. The quality of short track racing in the Cup Series has declined precipitously since the current car was introduced in 2022 because of its low horsepower and higher downforce characteristics. With a high likelihood of a boring race with difficult passing, the caution could be used to bunch the field in the hopes of an exciting late restart. 'The NASCAR All-Star Race continues to evolve as one of the most fun and innovative events on our calendar,' NASCAR vice president John Probst said in a statement. 'Returning to historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third year in a row allows us to honor our sport's roots while pushing the envelope with fresh competitive elements. The introduction of the Manufacturer Showdown brings a new layer of intensity and pride for our OEM partners, and fans can expect even more strategy, teamwork and drama on race day.' That manufacturer showdown will include an equal number of Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota teams. The automaker with the lowest total finish among its cars will win the competition. Advertisement The optional caution is the latest gimmick among many in recent All-Star Race history. Previous All-Star races have featured option tires and final restart orders calculated based on a driver's average finish in the earlier stages. The continued attempts to make the All-Star Race relevant underscore that the race might have outlived its usefulness and that NASCAR could be better served with an off weekend for its teams instead of a race featuring participants who race each other in 36 points events per season. The 250-lap race is also 50 laps longer than the 2024 race was. Drivers who won a race in 2024 or 2025, have won an All-Star Race before or who have won a Cup Series title before are automatically entered into the event. The drivers who don't fit that criteria will race each other in a 100-lap qualifying race earlier in the day. The top two finishers from that race will qualify for the main event along with the driver who received the most votes from fans to compete in the All-Star Race.
