Christopher Bell took the victory in an exciting NASCAR All-Star Race held at North Wilkesboro Speedway, surpassing Joey Logano in the last nine laps.
In an action-packed race that set a record for lead changes, Bell crossed the finish line with a 0.829-second lead over Logano, securing his first win in this competition.
Ross Chastain finished in third place, followed by Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott.
Logano opted to stay on the track instead of pitting during the final caution, a decision that proved costly when trying to defend against Bell, who had changed tires.
The race was restarted for the last time on lap 216 with the “Promoter’s Caution”, caused by Michael Waltrip, two-time winner of the Daytona 500. This tactic added excitement to an already intense race.
After a less-than-brilliant performance in the first two editions on the 0.625-mile oval (including Logano leading 199 of 200 laps to win the previous year), the All-Star Race offered much more action in its third edition at North Wilkesboro Speedway. There were 17 lead changes, surpassing the record of 13 set in 2016.
Brad Keselowski, who started from the pole position, and Logano exchanged the lead twice in the first 10 laps, often competing side by side. In the first half of the race there were six leaders and 10 lead changes, surpassing the total number of leaders (four) and lead changes (five) in the previous two All-Star Races combined.
Keselowski’s attempt to get his first All-Star Race win ended with a crash on lap 177, after leading 62 laps.
All-Star Open Results
Carson Hocevar, taking advantage of the pit strategy, led the final 46 laps to win the All-Star Open and advance to the NASCAR All-Star Race.
John Hunter Nemechek, who finished second in the 100-lap race, also advanced to the main event. Noah Gragson won an online fan vote to get the last spot in the All-Star Race, which featured 20 drivers competing for $1 million in 250 laps.
Shane van Gisbergen, who started from the pole, finished in 13th place after leading the first 54 laps on the 0.625-mile oval. The New Zealander, in his first full season in the Cup Series after winning three Supercar championships in Australia, dropped from first to sixth place after a pit stop to change all four tires during the mid-race caution.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Van Gisbergen
Van Gisbergen, who is 35th in the points standings with a top 10 this season, added: “It’s been a bleak year for us, but I feel like we’re getting better each week. This shows it.”
Costly Penalty
Ryan Preece finished 11th in the Open after being sent to the rear of the field from second on a restart with 17 laps to go. Preece said he unintentionally crossed the commitment line before which drivers must choose whether to restart on the inside or outside lane.
It’s really non-existent from inside the car. You can’t see it. I’m frustrated because if you have a situation like that, put a cone so we can see it. Our Ford Mustang was super fast and I think we were the only ones making some noise. It’s heartbreaking to have a race taken away like that.
Preece
NASCAR repainted the restart commitment line before the start of the All-Star Race.
More Money
The prize for the winner of the All-Star Race has been 1 million dollars since the 2003 event, and some drivers have expressed that an increase to compensate for inflation is very necessary.
I definitely think it should go up. That’s the only thing I would probably change about the All-Star Race. I don’t want to be greedy, but I think it can go up to $3 million.
Ryan Blaney
Bubba Wallace suggested $5 million, but would be fine with an increase to $3 million.
They have more money from television, so why not?
Wallace
Wallace was referring to the increase in NASCAR’s media rights to $1.1 billion annually in a deal that begins this year.
Coming Soon
The Cup Series will compete on May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season. Bell won last year’s race, which was shortened from 600 to 374 miles due to rain.
Kyle Larson missed the 2024 race after arriving late because the Indianapolis 500 was delayed by rain. The Hendrick Motorsports star will try again to become the fifth driver to compete in the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
