GG Report: NASCAR Is Bringing Back Stage Cautions

What Is NASCAR Doing With the All Star Race?

by Bryan Aguiar

NASCAR’s 2026 All-Star format has fans going from “hell yeah” to “what the hell” in record time. With a 350-lap, three-segment race at Dover Motor Speedway and no Open or LCQ, the exhibition’s identity suddenly feels very different — and not everyone is thrilled about it.

• If the entire field shows up, is it really an All-Star race anymore?
• Why eliminate the Open when it’s been the most exciting part of the weekend in recent years?
• Does a 75-75-200 format with inverts and combined averages add drama — or just unnecessary math?
• And at what point does this just become a 37th points race without points?

The new structure locks in recent winners, past champions, and a fan vote — leaving limited spots available through the segments. It’s structured. It’s legitimate. But it trades exclusivity and simple, high-stakes transfer battles for something that feels more procedural than electric. For many fans, the All-Star race used to mean night racing, short bursts, bold strategy, and desperation. Now, with a longer format and no true “win-and-you’re-in” showdown, Jaret believes it risks feeling like an obligation rather than a spectacle.

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All-Star Race Format is… Different | JGR Adds Spire Motorsports to Lawsuit | NASCAR Power Rankings

by Bryan Aguiar

NASCAR’s All-Star shakeup, a growing legal fight in the garage, and major early-season momentum swings have all collided at once. With COTA up next, the timing couldn’t be more dramatic, and the ripple effects might be bigger than they first appear.

• Is the new All-Star format at Dover Motor Speedway adding excitement, or just replacing simple drama with complicated math?
• Why walk away from the Open and Last Chance format that created real, head-to-head tension?
• What does Joe Gibbs Racing officially pulling Spire Motorsports into its lawsuit signal about how serious the data war has become?
• And with Circuit of the Americas on deck, which drivers have actually earned the top spots in the power rankings?

This isn’t just about one exhibition race or one court filing. It’s about direction, leverage, and momentum at a critical point in the season. The format decisions affect the show. The lawsuit could affect how teams operate. And COTA might start separating early contenders from everyone else.

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iRacing Arcade Drops a New Trailer Ahead of Release

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

iRacing’s new arcade-style racer, titled iRacing Arcade, has released a new trailer ahead of its highly anticipated release next week.

• iRacing Arcade is not the usual iRacing game, as it puts more of a focus on fun than real-life racing. Even though the game is not the traditional iRacing product, gamers and race fans are excited for the game’s release.
• While cartoony and light-hearted, the game does offer a handful of cars from real racing series across the world. These include FIA F4, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, IMSA SportsCar Championship, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, and Porsche Cup.
• Though the game does not feature any NASCAR content, fans of NASCAR will likely recognize a few of the tracks from other series and NASCAR appearances. Alongside those tracks is one current NASCAR track, Lime Rock Park, which hosts a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race weekend.
• iRacing announced its release in August and plans to officially release iRacing Arcade next week, on Tuesday, March 3, on Steam.

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