What’s Happening?

It’s time for the annual NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. This throwback event at a throwback venue is one of NASCAR’s most anticipated events every season, and this weekend is no different.

• One of NASCAR’s original race tracks, North Wilkesboro Speedway, originally opened in 1947 but did not host a NASCAR Cup Series race until 1949. After 1950, it established itself as a staple of the series, hosting two races a year until 1996.
• Of course, the track was abandoned after the 1996 fall race and did not host another NASCAR Cup Series event until the 2023 All-Star Race. The Truck Series also last raced at the track in 1996 prior to its 2023 return for an annual points race.
• This weekend will be interesting for the track, as it’s its third time hosting the All-Star event. The track puts on a great show with a packed house, but the racing has been rather lackluster in past seasons. Perhaps something interesting could happen this weekend to change that tone.

Weekend TV Schedule (All Times EST)

Friday, May 16: All-Star Race: Practice, Qualifying, and Pit Crew Challenge

• 4:00 PM – 4:25 PM — Open Entry Pit Road Qualifying Entry and Exit Practice on FS2
• 4:30 PM – 4:55 PM — All-Star Entry Pit Road Qualifying Entry and Exit Practice on FS2
• 5:05 PM – 5:50 PM — Open and All-Star Entry Practice on FS2
• 6:10 PM – 6:50 PM — Open Entry Qualifying and Pit Crew Challenge on FS1
• 7:05 PM – 8:00 PM — All-Star Entry Qualifying and Pit Crew Challenge on FS1

Saturday, May 17: Truck Series Practice, Qualifying | Truck Series Race | All-Star Race Heats

• 9:35 AM – 10:30 AM — Truck Series Practice
• 10:35 AM – 11:30 AM — Truck Series Qualifying
• 1:30 PM — Truck Series Window World 250 on FS1 [TV] & NRN [Radio]
• 5:10 PM — Cup Series All-Star Race Heat No. 1 on FS1 [TV] & MRN [Radio]
• Approx. 6:15 PM — All-Star Race Heat No. 2 on FS1 [TV] & MRN [Radio]

Sunday, May 18: Cup Series Race

• 5:30 PM — Cup Series All-Star Open on FS1 [TV] & MRN [Radio]
• 8:00 PM — Cup Series All-Star Race on FS1 [TV] & MRN [Radio]

Race Facts

Track Facts: North Wilkesboro Speedway

• Year Opened: 1947
• Length: 0.625-miles
• Banking: Turns: 14° in Turns
• Surface: Asphalt
• Wet Weather Tires: Yes
• Lights: Yes

Window World 250 on FS1:

• Race Length: 250 Laps (156.25 Miles)
• Stages: 70 Lap Stage 1, 70 Lap Stage 2, 110 Lap Final Stage
• Most Recent Race Winner: Corey Heim

NASCAR All-Star Race Heats on FS1:

• Race Length: 75 Laps (46.875 Miles)

NASCAR All-Star Open on FS1:

• Race Length: 100 Laps (62.5 Miles)
• Most Recent Race Winner: Ty Gibbs

NASCAR All-Star Race on FS1:

• Race Length: 250 Laps (156.25 Miles)
• Notes: Lap 100 Competition Caution

2024 NASCAR All-Star Race Results:

• First: Joey Logano — No. 22
• Second: Denny Hamlin — No. 11
• Third: Chris Buescher — No. 17
• Fourth: Kyle Larson — No. 5
• Fifth: Ryan Blaney — No. 12

Top Storylines of the Weekend

• Last season, NASCAR tested a new option tire during the All-Star Race. Unfortunately, once again, the NASCAR Next Gen Car failed to put on a great short track product. While there are no significant changes for this year’s race, fans are hopeful that the track, once thought to be lost, can put on a good show to regain fan sentiment.
• This year, the NASCAR All-Star race also features slight changes to its format. This includes the new Manufacturer Showdown, a ”Promoters Caution” to be waived whenever SMI President Marcus Smith chooses, and an extension of the main event to 250 laps.
• This weekend is also the final race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season to be broadcast on the FOX network. Though Truck Series coverage will continue throughout the season, NASCAR fans are eager to see if FOX’s presentation will change significantly this off-season.

Entry Lists

Cup Series All-Star Race

Notable Entries:

• #51 – Harrison Burton

Cup Series All-Star Open

Notable Entries:

• #15 – Cody Ware
• #66 – Chad Finchum

Craftsman Truck Series

Notable Entries:

• #02 – Jayson Alexander
• #2 – Alan Waller
• #6 – Norm Benning
• #07 – Kyle Busch
• #7 – Sammy Smith
• #44 – Conner Jones
• #67 – Ryan Roulette
• #75 – Patrick Emerling

Note: This article will be updated as more information about the weekend comes out.