As an event, the All Star Race was loved by seemingly all NASCAR fans. The race itself however left a lot to be desired. With only three lead changes and a margin of victory of 4.5 seconds, fans and drivers wondered what could be done about the next-gen short track product.
Races at short tracks have been generally lackluster throughout the last couple of years. Many fans and drivers have theories, but no one really knows how or if it can be fixed.
Around the Garage
Chase Briscoe believes it was more about the track than the car that made the race what it was.
Would a different tire had made a difference? Chase Briscoe, who finished fourth, doesn’t think so. pic.twitter.com/EwXxLu3JWV
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 22, 2023
Dale Earnhardt Jr. loved the event, but agreed that the next-gen car needed some changes.
Lots of thoughts about tonight. So thrilled that racing is back at @NWBSpeedway. We obviously have some work still to do to make the next gen a compelling stock car on short tracks. At the same time, @KyleLarsonRacin dominated, and that’s just how these go sometimes.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 22, 2023
Landon Huffman loved the track, but he disliked the racing product.
My takeaways from tonight.
— Landon Huffman (@LandonHuffman) May 22, 2023
North Wilkesboro: BAD ASS
Next Gen car: SUCKS
In the Stands
jdub1418 expressed that track specific packages are necessary for the short tracks to have a more compelling product.
Comment
by u/jdub1418 from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
in NASCAR
The COT did change quite a bit from year one until the end of its’ cycle.
Comment
by u/ChaseTheFalcon from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
in NASCAR
JDMcDuffie has three basic things NASCAR can change to make short tracks better.
Comment
by u/JDMcDuffie from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
in NASCAR
shttrsful says that changing the tires and engine power are the two easiest solutions.
Comment
by u/shttrsfull from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
in NASCAR
MrBadBadly is concerned about what the economic cost of this could be.
Comment
by u/MrBadBadly from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
in NASCAR
Probably not feasible.
RolandsPube notes that other races on other tracks are significantly better with the next-gen car.
Comment
by u/RolandsPube from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
in NASCAR
Jim Plyler did not hate the on-track product.

On Your Screen
Eric Estepp liked to see a great driver deservingly win, but he also agreed that the next-gen car needs an improved product on short tracks.
Post-race video will be up after midnight.
— Eric Estepp (@EricEstepp17) May 22, 2023
Next Gen still needs work on short tracks, that's obvious, but I did enjoy seeing a great driver show us how great he is.
Shame that a "winner take all" event really didn't have any battles for the win, but I still had a good time.
Danny B felt that gen-6 cars on the track would be a better show.
This feels like the fastest All-Star race ever.
— DannyBTalks (Daniel Baldwin) (@DannyBTalks) May 22, 2023
Blinked and it’s almost over.
And not to be that guy. I love the nostalgia.
But this track was robbed of its best cars that never got to race here.
Just not sure how I’m feeling about the on-track product.
Darian Gilliam says that the on-track product was on-par with the typical short track product this season.
The on-track product isn’t surprising if you’ve been watching all season. #NASCAR75
— Darian Gilliam (@BlackFlagMatter) May 22, 2023
The answer for the short track package for the next-gen car is not a clear one. The bottom line is that short tracks are NASCAR’s bread and butter, and if that product is not great, then is NASCAR really NASCAR?