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The NASCAR All-Star Race modifications codecs … usually. The Sanctioning Physique will not be shy about utilizing the race as an experiment,
First, the All-Star Race heads to Dover, Delaware for the very first time. The ‘Monster Mile’ is not going to host a points-paying race for the primary time since 1968, however it would play host to the All-Star Race this weekend. NASCAR additionally plans so as to add resin throughout the one-mile concrete oval to provide the monitor extra grip.
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However, what’s the precise format for the race? Here is a breakdown of the way it’s all going to work:
Qualifying and Pit Cease Competitors
NASCAR will proceed to make use of the three-lap qualifying format that features a pit cease, as they’ve in current All-Star Races. Drivers will run one flying lap, and proceed right into a second lap, the place they are going to be required to make a four-tire pit cease (no gasoline). They’ll then race again round to the beginning/end line.
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The quickest pit cease with no penalties might be awarded because the winners of the Pit Crew Problem, whereas the beginning lineup might be decided by the bottom complete time for all the qualifying run to the longest.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the primary occasion
All 36 chartered vehicles entered into the occasion will begin the All-Star Race, which is a giant change from previous years. The primary phase might be 75 laps with no competitors cautions.
On the conclusion of Phase 1, the highest 26 might be inverted with the Phase 1 winner now Twenty sixth and the Twenty sixth-place runner now main the race. They’ll run one other 75 laps with no competitors cautions.
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Eliminating ten drivers earlier than remaining phase
On the finish of Phase 2, NASCAR might be eliminating ten drivers from the race. So, who will get to proceed?
Nicely, 19 drivers already know that they’re protected, as all 2025/2026 race winners and previous collection champions who’re competing full-time are already locked in. For this yr, which means 19 drivers are already protected.
Of the remaining positions accessible, six might be handed to the the drivers not but locked in who scored one of the best common end between the 2 segments. One will go to the Fan Vote winner. The opposite ten drivers who did not make the minimize might be despatched to the storage, and their race might be over.
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The ultimate phase
The ultimate phase will then start, with 200 laps of racing forward. A contest warning might be waved 75 laps into the third phase, however it would in any other case function as a ‘regular’ race for the remainder of Phase 3.
The drivers already locked into Phase 3
Here is a whole record of the drivers who’re locked into the ultimate phase of the race, and why they’re eligible:
Ross Chastain (2025 race winner)
Austin Cindric (2025 race winner)
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Austin Dillon (2025 race winner)
Kyle Larson (Former champion & 2025 race winner)
Brad Keselowski (Former champion)
Kyle Busch (Former champion)
Chase Elliott (Former champion & 2025/2026 race winner)
Denny Hamlin (2025/2026 race winner)
Ryan Blaney (Former champion & 2025/2026 race winner)
Chase Briscoe (2025 race winner)
Christopher Bell (2025 race winner)
Josh Berry (2025 race winner)
Joey Logano (Former champion & 2025 race winner)
Bubba Wallace (2025 race winner)
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William Byron (2025 race winner)
Tyler Reddick (2026 race winner)
Ty Gibbs (2026 race winner)
Carson Hocevar (2026 race winner)
Shane van Gisbergen (2025/2026 race winner)
The drivers who should race their manner in or win the Fan Vote: Daniel Suarez, Ty Dillon, AJ Allmendinger, Chris Buescher, Todd Gilliland, Riley Herbst, Zane Smith, Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek, Erik Jones, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Alex Bowman, Cody Ware, Ryan Preece, Michael McDowell, Connor Zilisch
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