On Sunday evening, the celebrities of the NASCAR Cup Sequence will deal with the enduring 0.62-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star Race.
Right here is the whole lot it’s essential to know as NASCAR’s greatest battle for the $1 million prize:
Favourite: Kyle Larson (+500, per DraftKings)
Following his dominant efficiency at Kansas, it ought to come as no shock that Larson is the favourite this weekend. His driving expertise might be on full show as he balances follow and qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 with this weekend’s All-Star festivities.
With Larson getting ready to run the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double for the second consecutive season on Memorial Day Weekend, 2024 Xfinity Sequence champion Justin Allgaier will as soon as once more function his reserve driver at North Wilkesboro. Larson’s schedule is not going to permit him to follow or qualify the automobile.
In line with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports activities, Hendrick Motorsports confirmed Thursday that it could skip the heat races for the No. 5 Chevrolet on Saturday, that means Larson will begin Sunday evening’s All-Star Race from the rear. As a previous winner at North Wilkesboro in 2023, do not anticipate him to remain there lengthy.
Underdog: Ross Chastain (+2000, per DraftKings)
Of the drivers who’re locked into the All-Star Race, Chastain presents some worth going into the weekend. Whereas he has not certified nicely this season, he has six top-10 finishes, two of which got here on the season’s two quick tracks when he completed sixth at Martinsville and seventh at Bristol.
The velocity has been lacking in the complete Trackhouse Racing group, so Chastain’s finishes on the season’s two prior quick tracks recommend he could possibly be an element on Sunday and shouldn’t be counted out.
Will the winner dominate as soon as once more?
Since NASCAR moved the All-Star Race to North Wilkesboro in 2023 because the historic observe made its triumphant return, the race winner has fully dominated every race.
Larson led 145 of the 200 laps in 2023 whereas Joey Logano was in cost for 199 of the 200 laps final season, leaving little doubt up entrance. Each races lacked aggressive battles for the lead, however that might not be the case this weekend.
Promoter’s warning amongst adjustments to All-Star format
Even when a driver dominates on Sunday, it might not be an easy journey to Victory Lane with the brand new promoter’s warning. Mainly, NASCAR has till Lap 220 of the prolonged 250-lap distance to throw the non-obligatory warning to bunch the sphere again up. If there’s a pure warning after Lap 200 and the promoter’s warning has not been utilized by that point, it is not going to be thrown in any respect.
Along with the promoter’s warning and the 50-lap enhance, there might be a Producer Showdown that awards one of the best mixed general end among the many three producers. That doesn’t even embrace the expanded Pit Crew Problem on Friday that now options the Open drivers which might be not currently locked into the All-Star Race, making for a stacked weekend of occasions general.
Will latest All-Star Race development proceed?
Three of the final 5 All-Star Race winners and 13 general have gone on to win the Cup Sequence championship on the finish of the season. Whereas that could possibly be a coincidence to some, the latest traits recommend in any other case.
Logano went on to win the championship final season after profitable the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. As well as, every of the final 9 All-Star races have been received by Cup Sequence champions, exhibiting the cream normally rises to the highest when the $1 million prize is on the road.
