The 42nd annual NASCAR All-Star Race is coming to The Monster Mile! Run for the first time on a one-mile oval, the event is unlike any other race on the schedule, bringing together the sport’s biggest names and brightest stars in a no-holds-barred shootout. Every lap counts, and every move can mean the difference between celebrating in Victory Lane or going home empty-handed. Also included with the day's ticket is access to your seat in the grandstand to watch all on-track activity once the gates open.
The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway will be a 350-lap exhibition race made up of three segments. The race does not award championship points, but it features many of NASCAR’s top drivers competing for a $1M grand prize.
The race is broken into three segments:
- Segment 1: 75 laps with the full field of drivers
- Segment 2: 75 laps with the full field, including an inversion of the finishing order from Segment 1 for the top drivers
- Final Segment: 200 laps with a 26-car field competing for the win
Drivers compete throughout the first two segments to earn their position for the 200-lap final segment, which ultimately determines the All-Star Race winner.
Qualifying for the NASCAR All-Star Race includes the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge, which combines a driver’s speed on track with the performance of the team’s pit crew.
Each driver completes a special qualifying run that includes:
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Taking the green flag and completing one full lap at speed
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On the second lap, the car enters pit road for a four-tire pit stop (no fuel added)
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The driver then exits pit road and races back to the checkered flag
The total time from the green flag to the checkered flag determines the qualifying results.
The fastest pit crew with a clean stop (no penalties) wins the Pit Crew Challenge and earns the right to select their pit stall first for the All-Star Race.
The NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway is 350 laps in total.
The race is divided into three segments:
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Segment 1: 75 laps
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Segment 2: 75 laps
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Final Segment: 200 laps
The final 200-lap segment determines the winner of the NASCAR All-Star Race.
Because all laps count toward the race total, drivers must manage their cars and strategy throughout the entirety of the race while positioning themselves to compete for the win in the final segment.
NASCAR All-Star Weekend at Dover Motor Speedway features three days of racing and fan activities.
The race weekend schedule includes:
Friday, May 15
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NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race
Saturday, May 16
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NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race
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NASCAR All-Star Race qualifying and the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge
Sunday, May 17
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NASCAR All-Star Race
Fans attending the event will also be able to enjoy the best Fan Zone in NASCAR, featuring a variety of entertainment that can all be found HERE.
Your ticket for each day includes access to all of that day’s on-track activity once the gates open.
Ticket packages for weekend-long or exclusive access can be found HERE.
The NASCAR All-Star Race is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 17, when the green flag waves for the opening segment of the event.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early on race day to allow time for parking, entry into the Speedway and pre-race entertainment around the property.
Additional weekend scheduling includes:
Friday, May 15: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series ECOSAVE 200, 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 16: NASCAR All-Star Race Qualifying and Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge, 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 16: NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series BetRivers 200, 4:00 p.m.
No. Each series will have its own race day during NASCAR All-Star Weekend.
The schedule currently includes:
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Friday: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, 5 p.m.
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Saturday: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, 4 p.m.
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Sunday: NASCAR All-Star Race, 1 p.m.
This schedule allows fans to experience multiple NASCAR races across three days at Dover Motor Speedway.
The NASCAR All-Star Race features many of the top drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Drivers become eligible for the All-Star Race through several different paths.
Drivers who qualify automatically include:
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Drivers who won a NASCAR Cup Series race during the 2025 or 2026 seasons
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Past NASCAR All-Star Race winners who compete full-time in the Cup Series
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Past NASCAR Cup Series champions who currently compete full-time
Additional drivers can earn their way into the event through the race format itself.
The remaining starting positions for the final segment are determined by results from the first two race segments, and the final spot in the field goes to the winner of the NASCAR All-Star Fan Vote.
Drivers currently locked into the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race (as of 3/5/26) include: 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.
Yes. NASCAR All-Star Weekend typically includes multiple opportunities for fans to interact with drivers and enjoy entertainment around the track.
Fans can expect activities such as:
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Driver Q&A sessions
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Fan Zone appearances
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Live music
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Fireworks
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Family-friendly activities in the Fan Zone
Many of these activities take place in the free Fan Zone area, which is open to fans attending the event.
Specific schedules for driver appearances and other entertainment will be announced closer to race weekend. Check HERE for future updates.
NASCAR All-Star Weekend at Dover Motor Speedway will feature multiple races and fan experiences throughout the weekend.
In addition to the NASCAR All-Star Race itself, fans will see:
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NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series racing (for the first time since 2020!)
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NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series racing
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All-Star Race qualifying and the Pit Crew Challenge
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Fan entertainment and activities around the Speedway
Additional fan experiences and race weekend entertainment are to be announced shortly. Check HERE for constant updates.
Fans are encouraged to check Dover Motor Speedway’s website or download our mobile app for the latest updates.
No. The NASCAR All-Star Race weekend replaces Dover Motor Speedway’s traditional spring NASCAR race weekend.
Dover will continue to host one NASCAR Cup Series event weekend each year, with the All-Star Race serving as the Speedway’s primary NASCAR event for the season.
The NASCAR All-Star Race is a special exhibition event that has been hosted at several different tracks over the years. Since running in Charlotte for 35 years, it has also been held at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway), Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway.
While Dover Motor Speedway is hosting the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race, NASCAR determines the event’s location each year.
Future locations for the NASCAR All-Star Race will be announced by NASCAR in the future.
Yes. Children are welcome at Dover Motor Speedway, and special youth ticket pricing is available for NASCAR All-Star Weekend.
Youth tickets are offered at discounted prices depending on the race day:
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Friday (NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series): Kids 12 and under receive free grandstand admission with a ticketed adult.
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Saturday (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series): Kids 12 and under receive free grandstand admission with a ticketed adult.
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Sunday (NASCAR All-Star Race): Youth tickets start at $10 for kids 12 and under.
Children must have a valid ticket to enter the grandstands, and youth tickets must be used alongside a ticketed adult.
Youth ticket availability may vary by seating section. To explore all ticket options, click HERE, or contact the Dover Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-441-RACE.