NASCAR All-Star Race 2026: Format, Qualifying & Qualified Drivers

Dover, Delaware – NASCAR has unveiled a revised format for the 2026 All-Star Race, set to take place at Dover Motor Speedway in May. The changes, announced on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, represent a significant departure from previous iterations of the exhibition event, most notably eliminating the traditional All-Star Open qualifying race.

The 2026 All-Star Race will consist of 350 laps, divided into three segments: two initial 75-lap segments followed by a decisive 200-lap final segment. The starting grid for the first segment will be determined by qualifying on Saturday, May 16.

Following the completion of the first segment, the finishing order will be inverted for the second segment. So the driver who finishes first in Segment 1 will start in 26th position for Segment 2, and so on. The remaining drivers will line up based on their finishing positions from the initial segment.

The field will then be narrowed to 26 drivers for the final, 200-lap segment. Automatic qualifiers for this segment include drivers who have secured a race win during the 2025 or 2026 seasons, past All-Star Race winners, and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champions who maintain full-time competition status. The remaining positions will be filled based on combined results from the first two segments, until a 25-driver field is reached. The final spot will be awarded to the winner of the NASCAR All-Star Fan Vote.

Currently, 17 drivers have already secured a place in the final segment: William Byron, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry, Austin Dillon, Chase Briscoe, Ross Chastain, Shane Van Gisbergen, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Busch. This leaves eight positions to be determined by performance in the first two segments and the fan vote.

The qualifying process will involve a three-lap run, incorporating a mandatory pit stop for a four-tire change. The combined time of the three laps, including the pit stop, will determine the starting order for the opening 75-lap segment. The pit stop competition will be judged based on the time taken to service the car as it enters and exits the pit box, emphasizing precision and efficiency.

NASCAR has confirmed that only laps completed under green flag conditions will be counted during the race. A caution period is scheduled to occur around lap 225 of the final segment.

The move to Dover Motor Speedway, nicknamed “The Monster Mile,” marks a new venue for the All-Star Race. The event will be the culmination of a three-day racing weekend, beginning with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race on Friday, May 15, followed by qualifying for the All-Star Race on Saturday, May 16, and concluding with the All-Star Race itself on Sunday, May 17.

The winner of the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race will receive a prize of $1 million.

The elimination of the All-Star Open represents a significant shift in the event’s structure. Previously, drivers who did not automatically qualify for the main event had the opportunity to race their way in through the Open. This change ensures that all full-time NASCAR Cup Series competitors will have a chance to compete in the main event, potentially increasing the level of competition and excitement.

The lengthened main event, with 350 laps, is also intended to provide more on-track action and strategic opportunities for teams and drivers. The inverted starting order for the second segment adds an element of unpredictability, while the emphasis on combined results from the first two segments ensures that consistent performance will be rewarded.