NASCAR has unveiled the format and field for the $1 million-to-win 2026 All-Star Race, which is set to be held at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, with Shane van Gisbergen one of 17 drivers already locked into the field.
For the first time, the event will be held at Dover, after most recently being contested at North Wilkesboro Speedway, which, in a swap, will be elevated to a full points-paying Cup Series race in 2026.
The format for the 350-lap event, however, is somewhat convoluted.
Qualifying runs will incorporate a compulsory four tyre pit stop, which will double as the annual pit crew challenge.
In a change of tradition, the full field will start the main race, rather than have to deal with an ‘open’ qualifying race, as had been the case in the past.
While the qualifying runs will set the field for the initial race start, the second stage line-up will see the top-26 finishers inverted.
Average finishing positions will determine the order for the final 200-lap stage, which will feature a competition break after around 75 laps.
Drivers eligible for the final segment include those who have won a points event in either 2025 or 2026, former NASCAR All-Star Race winners who compete full-time, and former NASCAR Cup Series champions who compete full-time.
The remaining positions will be filled based on the combined results of segments one and two until the field reaches 25 drivers.
The 26th and final position will be awarded to the NASCAR All-Star Fan Vote winner.
Last year, SVG won the pole position for the All-Star Open and led the early going, before a strategy misstep mired him in the pack.
This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series goes road course racing at the Circuit of the Americas.
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