How’s it going, NASCAR fans? With the annual All-Star Race looming in the distance, it was time for some of the underdogs to take to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for their shot to make it into the main event later tonight. That’s right! Kicking things off on this All-Star Sunday was the All-Star Open. The drivers in this race were the ones who yet to have a Cup title to their name, ones who haven’t won the All-Star Race before, and those who failed to win points-paying races throughout the 2024 and 2025 NASCAR Cup Series seasons.
Of course, the big story headed into this race was who would transfer into the big show tonight and who was left packing their bags and heading to the house. So, with no further ado, let’s get into it. Here are the three drivers who transferred into tonight’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway!
Format for the Open and the All-Star Race as described in the driver meeting video. Coverage begins at 5p ET on FS1: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/gwpf9npbBJ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 18, 2025
Like yesterday with the heats, track position was the deciding factor in today’s race. Starting from the pole, Shane van Gisbergen pulled away and led all 50 of the laps in the first half of the race. Not terribly far behind him, however, was eventual race winner, Carson Hocevar. As the field came down pit road during the halfway break, the 88 Trackhouse team fumbled, opting for 4 tires instead of 2. This mistake did them in as it their driver down to 6th. Though SVG tried to rally, he was never able to recover.
Capitalizing on the misfortunes of the 88 WeatherTech Chevy driver, however, was Carson Hocevar. The driver of the Spire number 77 checked out and settled into the lead, never really having to fend off a challenger. Like we saw in the heats last night, track position was invaluable due to how hard it is to pass in the NextGen car with this short track package. With this win, Hocevar earned his way into tonight’s All-Star main event. He will roll off in 21st.
During the last caution of the race, John Hunter Nemechek pitted from 8th and won the race off pit road. He lined up 8th and was able to mow his way through the field to 2nd position. While in the second transfer spot, he had to fend off the likes of his teammate in Erik Jones, Ty Gibbs, and Bubba Wallace. In the end, he was able to hold them off to finish 2nd in the open, which transfers him into the main event tonight. He will start the All-Star Race in 22nd.
Since making his comeback with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024, few drivers have been more popular amongst the fans than Noah Gragson. Though he ran most of the Open in the back, the driver of the number 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford will get to fire his engine later on tonight for the much-anticipated All-Star Race. This is due to him being awarded the final transfer spot via the fan vote. He will roll off tonight in the 23rd and final starting position. This fan vote victory marks his third in a row.
After qualifying, the pit crew challenge, two heat races, and the Open, the field for the 2025 All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway is officially set. Who do you think will reign supreme tonight and take hope the prize of one million dollars? Let us know who you’re taking! And stay tuned here to DailyDownforce.com. The All-Star Race is about to kick off!
