The annual NASCAR All Star race returns to the iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 19. This year’s race will feature a number of changes including a new strategy element.
The main feature race this year will be 200 laps around the .625 mile track.
For points earning races, Goodyear determines which tires will go on the cars, but for the All Star race the teams will have a choice of which tires they wish to use – a baseline prime tire, a soft option tire, and a wet weather tire.
The drivers will be required to qualify using the prime tire – yellow sidewalls – and must start the main event on the option tire – red sidewalls; but after that, it is teams’ choice.
The prime tire is similar to what teams use on a normal basis but was created after the repaving of North Wilkesboro last month. The option tire is comprised of the same compound as the wet weather tires but is the traditional racing slick. The wet weather tires have treads to displace the water for grip on the track.
The decision to offer tire choice came on the heels of the “disaster” that was the St. Patrick’s Day race at Bristol Motor Speedway where the crews were forced to slow the race dramatically to save the tires.
The All Star race is a non-points race that offers NASCAR the opportunity to experiment with various formats and packages for possible use in future races.
Drivers who have won a race this season or last year, previous All Star race winners, and past Cup Series champions are eligible for the All Star Race; but drivers must be full time drivers in order to qualify.
The All Star race is in fact, an All Star weekend that begins on Friday with qualifying that includes a pit stop. Saturday will feature two 60 lap races to set the lineup. On Sunday the night begins with two 100 lap All Star Open preliminary races with the top two drivers from each race moving on to the main event. Fans will also choose the final name in the race via the fan vote.
Instead of stage racing where the yellow flag flies and the cars keep moving; the All Star race will include two stage breaks – on lap 100 and on lap 150 where
The pit stop during qualifying is The Pit Stop Crew Challenge where the teams compete for the title of Fastest Pit Crew. The Pit Crew Challenge results will also help to determine pit stall selection.
Fans have until May 19 to cast their vote for which driver they would like to see in the All Star race at nascar.com/fanvote. Fan may vote as many as five times each day.