The NASCAR Cup Series caps off a triple header weekend with the annual All Star race where stage wins, playoff points, and points standings don’t matter; drivers will put it all out on the track for the million dollar prize.
FOX Sports closes out their part of the season with the big race on a hot Sunday night in Texas.
The night of racing begins with the Open which will give the drivers not guaranteed a spot in the big race a chance to race for the big money.
Watermelon Man Ross Chastain will have to work a bit harder if he wants to be a part of the big show after it was found that the crew violated the NASCAR rule book in relation to the areo ducts during the pre-race inspection process. As a result, Chastain will have to start the race from the back of the field, crew chief Phil Surgen has been ejected from the race, and the team has been fined $25,000.
In addition, Austin Cindric will have to start from the back of the field due to failing inspection twice and David Starr will start at the back as a result of unapproved adjustments to the car.
The All Star Open is a 50 lap event divided into three segments of 20, 20, and 10 laps. The winner of each segment will move on to the All Star feature race. In the third segment only the green flag laps will count.
The starting lineup for the Open:
Tyler Reddick
Chris Buescher
Matt DiBenedetto
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Ross Chastain – moved to the back of the field
Bubba Wallace
Daniel Suarez
Erik Jones
Chase Briscoe
Aric Almirola
Corey LaJoie
Anthony Alfredo
Quin Houff
James Davison
Josh Bilicki
Austin Cindric – moved to the back of the field
Cody Ware
BJ McLeod
Justin Haley
Garrett Smithley
Timmy Hill
David Starr
While the temperatures will cool off during the night, air temperatures feel like 110 degrees and 145 degrees on the track at race start; which means they will be upwards of 150 degrees inside the cars.
Tyler Reddick brings the field down for the green flag start of the race and gets out in front for the lead. The drivers quickly get spread out three and four wide across the track.
The top five are Tyler Reddick, Matt DiBenedetto, Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, and Bubba Wallace.
Chris Buescher was charged with jumping the start and will have to serve a pass through penalty.
Austin Cindric has also been charged with a pass through penalty for switching lanes before the green flag.
Lap two, Tyler Reddick has jumped out to a lead of over half a second on Chris Buescher.
Lap four, Bubba Wallace gets loose and spins out and brings out the first caution flag of the race.
The caution flag came out at a good time for Chris Buescher nad Austin Cindric since they can now serve their penalties under the caution and restart the race from the back of the field in stead of loosing most of a lap.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr had to make a pit stop after some on track contact.
Tyler Reddick brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 12 with Reddick holding on to the lead.
After having to start the race form the back of the field, Ross Chastain has moved up into the top 10.
Chris Buescher brings out the second catuion flag of the night on lap nine when he spins out after some contact with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The top five are Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, Erik Jones, Matt DiBenedetto, and Ross Chastain.
Tyler Reddick brings the field down for the green flag restart with just seven laps remaining in the round and edges out Chase Briscoe with the help of a push from Erik Jones.
The caution flag comes out on lap 14 after Erik Jones spins out after some on track contact with Chase Briscoe. Jones hits Daniel Suarez during the spin.
The crash clock is not in operation for this race, but the vehicle damage policy is in effect.
Chase Briscoe was caught speeding…everywhere…on pit road.
Tyler Reddick has led every lap so far; he brings the field down for a two lap shootout to end the round from the inside lane with Ross Chastain alongside. Tyler Reddick edges out Ross Chastain for the lead but Chastain isn’t letting go. The two bump and run before Ross Chastain takes the lead and wins the round.
Ross Chastain will move on to the main race. He will take his car to the garage and not participate in the remainder of the race. Ross Chastain went from worst to first in order to make it into his first All Star race.
Chastain called it a dream come true to run in the All Star race.
Tyler Reddick takes the outside lane for the green flag start of round two and gets out in front for the lead.
The top five are Tyler Reddick, Austin Cindric, Matt DiBenedetto, Chris Buescher, and Aric Almirola.
Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez are out of the race dueto crash damage.
Lap two, Tyler Reddick has a lead of nearly half a second on Austin Cindric with Matt DiBenedetto in third; Aric Almirola and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
The cars have gotten spread out through the field with most of them single file.
Lap six, Tyler Reddick has a lead of nearly a second on Austin Cindric.
Matt DiBenedetto passes Austin Cindric for second; Aric Almirola takes third.
Lap nine, Matt DiBenedetto has closed the gap on leader Tyler Reddick to under half a second.
Lap eleven, Tyler Reddick has opened the gap on Matt DiBenedetto to half a second; Aric Almirola, Chris Buescher, and Austin Cindric round out the top five.
Lap 13, Matt DiBenedetto and Aric Almirola battle for second. Aric Almirola takes second on lap 14.
Five to go, Tyler Reddick has a lead of less than two tenths of a second on Aric Almirola; Matt DiBenedetto is in third nearly a second and a half back.
Two to go, Aric Almirola has caught up to leader Tyler Reddick and is beginning to challenge for the lead.
Tyler Reddick takes the white flag.
Tyler Reddick leads every lap of round two and wins it to move on to the All Star race for his first time as an All Star.
Aric Almirola brings the field down for the final round of only 10 laps, but only the green flag laps will count. Matt DiBenedetto starts alongside on the front row. Almirola and DiBenedetto go nose to nose before Aric Almirola edges out for the lead from the outside lane.
Lap two, the top five are Aric Almirola, Matt DiBenedetto, Chris Buescher, Austin Cindric, and Chase Briscoe.
Portions of the track are beginning to pick up some sade as the sun moves toward setting.
Five to go, Aric Almirola has a lead of nearly half a second on Matt DiBenedetto; Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, and Austin Cindric round out the top five.
Only 14 of the 18 cars on the track are on the lead lap.
Two to go, Aric Almirola has a half second lead on Matt DiBenedetto.
Aric Almirola takes the white flag.
Aric Almirola is the final driver from the Open to move on to the All Star race. This is Almirola’s fourth appearance in the All Star race.
And the fan vote winner is…
Matt DiBenedetto!!!!
The starting lineup for the All Star feature race:
Kyle Larson
Kyle Busch
Christopher Bell
Cole Custer
Austin Dillon
Chase Elliott
Joey Logano
William Byron
Brad Keselowski
Martin Truex Jr
Michael McDowell
Kevin Harvick
Kurt Busch
Ryan Newman
Alex Bowman
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Blaney
Ross Chastain
Tyler Reddick
Aric Almirola
Matt DiBenedetto – fan vote winner
The All Star race includes six rounds, inversions, mandatory pit stops, and super “lucky dogs” as the 22 drivers battle it out for the big prize of $1 million.
Bryson Burns presented the Steve Burns award to Rick Hendrick of Hendric Motorsports – the winningest team owner in NASCAR history. Steve Burns was a FOX broadcaster who died six years ago as a result of cancer.
Bryson – Steve’s son – Burns joined Michael Waltrip on the final grid walk of the season.
Round one of the race is 15 laps in length and a partial field inversion at the end of the round.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag with Kyle Busch alongside; but before the green flag flies, Sammy Hagar takes the stage for a performance of “I Can’t Driver 55”.
With shouts of “put the pedal” to the metal” from Sammy Hagar the green flag dropped and the Kyle and Kyle show began as the two Kyles battled for the lead.
The caution flag comes out on lap two when Christopher Bell got loose and spins out. Bell kept the car off the wll and avoided his fellow drivers.
The top five are Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Cole Custer, Chase Elliott, and William Byron. Only green flag laps count.
Christopher Bell brings his car down pit road for service.
The crews have four sets of tires for the race including the ones they start the race on.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart from the inside lane on lap two. Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch go nose to nose before Kyle Busch edges out for the lead. Cole Custer battles Kyle Larson for second.
Kyle Busch leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Cole Custer, William Byron, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Lap five, Kyle Busch has a narrow lead on Kyle Larson; William Byron, Cole Custer, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Christopher Bell restart the race in 21st place and has not been able to advance his lead.
Lap seven, Kyle Larson takes the lead with Kyle Busch in second; William Byron, Cole Custer, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Lap nine, Kyle Larson holds on to the lead with William Byron in second; Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, and Cole Custer round out the top five.
Lap 10, Kyle Busch and William Byron battle for second. Busch retakes the spot.
Lap eleven, William Byron retakes second place with Kyle Larson in the lead.
Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott battle for third, Busch holds on to the spot. After starting the race from the back of the field after winning his way into the race, Ross Chastain is in the top 10.
Kyle Larson takes the white flag.
Kyle Larson wins round one.
The fans chose the colour blue for the invert. The reveal was that blue had the number 12. The first 12 drivers will be inverted for the next round.
The lineup for round two:
Ryan Blaney
Kevin Harvick
Joey Logano
Ross Chastain
Kurt Busch
Brad Keselowski
Austin Dillon
Cole Custer
Chase Elliott
Kyle Busch
William Byron
Kyle Larson
Martin Truex Jr
Alex Bowman
Michael McDowell
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Newman
Matt DiBenedetto
Tyler Reddick
Christopher Bell
Aric Almirola
Drivers come down pit road, but most of them are not taking fresh tires.
Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag start of round two with Kevin Harvick alongside for a 15 laps shootout. Ryan Blaney gets a big push from Ross Chastain to take the lead. Drivers get four wide across the track.
The top five are Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Ross Chastain, Kurt Busch, and Chase Elliott.
Team mates Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski battle for the lead; continuing to battle as they race around the track. Ryan Blaney gets out in front for the lead on lap three.
While Kyle Larson has dropped back a couple of spots after the start, Kyle Busch has moved forward and is in seventh place.
Ten to go, Ryan Blaney leads the race with Brad Keselowski in second; Ross Chastain, Kurt Busch, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Lap seven, Ross Chastain takes second from Brad Keselowski; Ryan Blaney has a lead of nearly half a second.
The top five are Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, Kurt Busch, and Kyle Busch.
With four laps to go, Ryan Blaney leads the race with Brad Keselowski in second; Ross Chastain, Kurt Busch, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Two to go, Chase Elliott passes Kurt Busch for fourth.
Ryan Blaney takes the white flag.
Ryan Blaney wins round two.
After round two the entire field is inverted putting Aric Almirola on the pole.
After each round the drivers receive points for their position beginning with one point for the leader. At the beginning of round five, all of the points are added to determine the running order with the lowest points taking the lead.
The starting lineup for round three:
Aric Almirola
Matt DiBenedetto
Ryan Newman
Michael McDowell
Alex Bowman
Kevin Harvick
Tyler Reddick
Kyle Larson
Christopher Bell
Austin Dillon
Martin Truex Jr
Joey Logano
Denny Hamlin
Cole Custer
Kyle Busch
Chase Elliott
William Byron
Kurt Busc
Ross Chastain
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Blaney
Aric Almirola brings the field down for the green flag start of round three with Matt DiBenedetto alongside. Matt DiBenedetto edges out for the lead from the inside lane.
The top five are Matt DiBenedetto, Aric Almirola, Michael McDowell, Ryan Newman, and Alex Bowman.
Lap two, Michael McDowell battle Matt DiBenedetto for the lead, after going side by side DiBenedetto takes holds on to the lead.
Lap four, Michael McDowell comes back to battle Matt DiBenedetto for the lead but is unable to take and spot and battle with Alex Bowman for second.
Lap five, Matt DiBenedetto has a tenth of a second lead on Alex Bowman; Michael McDowell, Aric Almirola, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Lap six, Alex Bowman takes the lead from Matt DiBenedetto.
Lap eight, Alex Bowman has a half second lead on Matt DiBenedetto; Aric Almirola, Michael McDowell, and Ryan Newman round out the top five.
Five to go, Alex bowman leads the race with Matt DiBenedetto in second; Aric Almirola, Michael McDowell, and Ryan Newman round out the top five. After restarting the race from the back of the field, Ryan Blaney is up to 14th.
Two to go, Alex Bowman has a lead of over half a second; but round four will begin with another random inversion.
Alex Bowman takes the white flag.
Alex Bowman wins round three.
The colour for the inversion number yellow; nine drivers will be inverted, putting William Byron on the pole.
The starting linue up for round four:
William Byron
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson
Ryan Newman
Michael McDowell
Aric Almirola
Matt DiBenedetto
Alex Bowman
Kevin Harvick
Austin Dillon
Tyler Reddick
Chase Elliott
Ryan Blaney
Martin Truex Jr
Kyle Busch
Joey Logano
Ross Chastain
Kurt Busch
Cole Custer
Brad Keselowski
William Byron brings the field down for the green flag start of stage four and battle with Christopher Bell for the lead, swapping it back and forth on lap one until William Byron finally takes the lead on lap two.
The top five are William Byron, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Matt DiBenedetto, and Alex Bowman.
Lap four, William Byron leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Christopher Bell, Matt DiBenedetto, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Kyle Busch is reporting that all four of his tires are chattering. He is currently in 16th place.
Lap six, William Byron holds the lead with Kyle Larson a tenth of a second back; Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
Six to go, William Byron holds a narrow lead on Kyle Larson; Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Elliott round out the top five.
It is so hot at Texas Motor Speedway that the crews are icing down the tires to try and cool them down a bit before putting them on the cars.
William Byron takes the white flag.
William Byron wins round four.
The sun is beginning to set over Texas Motor Speedway.
Round five is a 30 lap event that includes a mandatory green flag pit stop where the fastest crew will earn $100,000.
William Byron will bring the field down for the green flag to begin round five.
The starting lineup for round five are:
William Byron
Kyle Larson
Chase Elliott
Ryan Blaney
Denny Hamlin
Alex Bowman
Kyle Busch
Kurt Busch
Brad Keselowski
Christopher Bell
Austin Dillon
Cole Custer
Matt DiBenedetto
Michael McDowell
Ross Chastain
Ryan Newman
Kevin Harvick
Aric Almirola
Joey Logano
Martin Truex Jr
Tyler Reddick
William Byron brings the field down for the green flag and goes side by side with Kyle Larson for the lead.
Denny Hamlin leads a pack of seven drivers who came down pit road for their green flag pit stop.
William Byron leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Kurt Busch round out the top five as more drivers stop for their green flag pit stops.
Kyle Busch was caught speeding on pit road and will have to serve a pass through penalty.
Austin Dillon was also caught speeding on pit road.
Lap five, William Byron has a quarter of a second lead on Kyle Larson; Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and Kurt Busch round out the top five.
In order to win the pit crew challenge, all of the lug nuts must be secured.
Kyle Busch makes his drive through penalty.
Lap eight, William Byron leads the race with Kyle Larson on his bumper; Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Drivers must come down pit road by the time they reach lap 20.
After their penalties, Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon are two laps down with eight cars on the lead lap. The leads have yet to make a pit stop.
Seventeen to go, William Byron continues to lead the race with Kyle Larson in second; Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Fifteen to go, the drivers who have yet to make a pit stop have just five laps remaining.
Lap 16, the leaders come down pit road; giving the lead over to Brad Keselowski.
Several drivers still need to make a pit stop.
Lap 18, Brad Keselowski makes his pit stop and gives the lead over to Chase Elliott.
Ross Chastain brings out the caution flag when he spins out after a push from Ryan Newman.
Beating leader Chase Elliott coming out of pit road, Brad Keselowski is the leader.
Kyle Busch is the “lucky dog” and is back on the lead lap.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag restart with eleven laps remaining in round five. Keselowski battle Chase Elliott for the lead, swapping it back and forth. Drivers are getting three wide through the field.
Chase Elliott takes the lead with William Byron in second; Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
After getting his lap back, Kyle Busch has moved up to 12th place with seven laps remaining in round five.
Three of the top four are Hendrick Motorsports cars with Chase Elliott in the lead.
Five to go in round five, Chase Elliott leads the race with team mate William Byron in second; Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Ryan Blaney passes Brad Keselowski for fourth.
Kyle Busch has entered the top 10.
Two to go, Chase Elliott holds on to the lead.
Chase Elliott takes the white flag with William Byron on his bumper.
Chase Elliott wins round five.
For the final round, the drivers will line up the way they finished in round five for a 10 lap green flag only shootout.An
And the winner of the $100,000 pit crew challenge is the number nine Hendrick Motorsports crew for Chase Elliott!
Chase Elliott brings the field down for the final shootout and the drivers get three wide on the restart.
Chase Elliott takes the lead but Kyle Larson comes form the outside to battle for the lead.
Making it three wide, Brad Keselowski takes the lead but Kyle Larson comes on the outside to take the lead.
Lap two, the top five are Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney.
Six to go, Kyle Larson has a two tenths of a second lead on Brad Keselowski with Chase Elliott in third.
Four to go, Brad Keselowski drops down to try and pass Kyle Larson for the lead, Larson holds him off.
Two to go, Kyle Larson holds on to the lead.
Kyle Larson takes the white flag.
For the third week in a row, Kyle Larson takes the checkered flag!
It was a big night for Hemdrick Motorsports with car owner Rick Hendrick winning the Burnsy Award, Chase Elliott’s team winning the pit crew challenge, and Kyle Larson winning the race.
The final results of the 2021 All Star race from Texas Motor Speedway:
Kyle Larson
Brad Keselowski
Chase Elliott
Joey Logano
Ryan Blaney
Alex Bowman
William Byron
Denny Hamlin
Aric Almirola
Kurt Busch
Martin Truex Jr
Kyle Busch
Christopher Bell
Cole Custer
Matt DiBenedetto
Tyler Reddick
Michael McDowell
Ross Chastain
Kevin Harvick
Austin Dillon
Ryan Newman