NASCAR has rolled out the red carpet for the 2025 All-Star Race at the storied North Wilkesboro Speedway, drawing attention on Wednesday morning with the introduction of a unique concept: the “promoter’s caution.”
This intriguing feature grants the race promoter the discretion to issue an unscheduled yellow flag anytime before Lap 220 in the 250-lap race. Designed to keep the competition hot and heavy, the promoter’s caution fades away if not used by Lap 200 and coincides with a natural yellow flag thereafter.
North Wilkesboro, a 0.625-mile short track, echoes the legacy of Speedway Motorsports founder Bruton Smith, whose theatrical flair for racing promotions included manufactured cautions to energize the action.
Set for May 18, the All-Star Race boasts a lucrative $1 million purse for the victor, merging classic racing elements with new twists.
Among the fresh additions is the “Manufacturer Showdown.” This competition will see Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota battle for supremacy based on the collective results of their cars. The number of cars per manufacturer’s team will depend on representation post main event lineup, rewarding the lowest total score with victory.
The All-Star Race stays true to its roots with two preliminary heat races determining the starting grid, followed by a 100-lap All-Star Open. The main event stretches to 250 laps, featuring a scheduled competition caution at Lap 100.
Three drivers will secure their spots in the main event from the Open itself: the top two finishers plus the standout selected by a fan vote on NASCAR.com.
Qualifying for the All-Star showdown includes victors from points races in 2024-25, full-time competitors with previous All-Star victories, and former full-time Cup Series champions.
The distinguished lineup already locked in for the 2025 race features William Byron, Daniel Suárez, Kyle Larson, and numerous other NASCAR luminaries, each eager to make their mark at this historic event.
