North Wilkesboro Speedway is once again the stage for one of NASCAR’s most electric non-points events: the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race. This historic 0.620-mile short track in North Carolina brings together the best of the best, and the final entry lists for both the All-Star Race and All-Star Open have officially been released. This year’s event will feature 20 drivers already locked into the All-Star Race, with three more to join them through the Open and the fan vote.
Locked and Loaded: Who’s In the 2025 All-Star Race
Twenty drivers are already guaranteed a spot in the All-Star Race. Eligibility is based on recent race wins (in 2024 or 2025), past All-Star Race victories, or Cup Series championships while racing full-time. Familiar faces like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano headline the elite field. Larson will represent Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 5 Chevrolet, with Cliff Daniels calling the shots as crew chief.
Notably, Josh Berry makes his first All-Star Race appearance driving the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing. Meanwhile, RFK Racing sends two contenders: Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher. The field also includes rising stars like Tyler Reddick for 23XI Racing and Daniel Suarez for Trackhouse Racing. With representatives from top organizations like Hendrick, Gibbs, Penske, RFK, and Trackhouse, the main event promises fierce competition.
Last Shot: The All-Star Open Drivers Ready to Battle
Before the big race, 18 drivers will take the track in the NASCAR All-Star Open on Sunday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m. ET. The top two finishers will earn their way into the All-Star Race. One final slot will be determined by fan vote. Leading the fan vote standings as of May 12 are Shane Van Gisbergen, Noah Gragson, Carson Hocevar, Ryan Preece, and Bubba Wallace.
The Open field includes a wide range of competitors, from Cup Series regulars like Michael McDowell, Erik Jones, and Ty Gibbs to less frequent participants like Chad Finchum, who will drive the No. 66 Ford for Garage 66. Cody Ware is back, piloting Rick Ware Racing’s No. 15 machine in an attempt to make his first career All-Star Race start.
AJ Allmendinger and Justin Haley are among the Chevrolet hopefuls, while Cole Custer and Todd Gilliland carry Ford’s hopes. Ryan Preece, in RFK’s No. 60 Ford, and Ty Dillon in Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 car, will also be gunning for a spot. With only three spots available, tension will be high during the Open.
Format, Timing, and Broadcast Details
Sunday’s action will begin with the NASCAR All-Star Open at 5:30 p.m. ET, setting the stage for the main event. Once the top two finishers and the fan vote winner are added to the 20 locked-in drivers, the 2025 All-Star Race will feature 23 competitors.
| S. No | Car # | Driver |
| 1 | 1 | Ross Chastain |
| 2 | 2 | Austin Cindric |
| 3 | 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 4 | 5 | Kyle Larson |
| 5 | 6 | Brad Keselowski |
| 6 | 8 | Kyle Busch |
| 7 | 9 | Chase Elliott |
| 8 | 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 9 | 12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 10 | 17 | Chris Buescher |
| 11 | 19 | Chase Briscoe |
| 12 | 20 | Christopher Bell |
| 13 | 21 | Josh Berry |
| 14 | 22 | Joey Logano |
| 15 | 24 | William Byron |
| 16 | 45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 17 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 18 | 48 | Alex Bowman |
| 19 | 51 | Harrison Burton |
| 20 | 99 | Daniel Suarez |
The main event goes green at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). This year’s return to North Wilkesboro comes with renewed excitement after the venue’s recent revitalization and rave reviews from fans and drivers alike in 2023 and 2024. The short-track setting promises thrilling door-to-door battles in a race where pride, not points, is on the line.
| S. No | Car # | Driver |
| 1 | 4 | Noah Gragson |
| 2 | 7 | Justin Haley |
| 3 | 10 | Ty Dillon |
| 4 | 15 | Cody Ware |
| 5 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 6 | 23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 7 | 34 | Todd Gilliland |
| 8 | 35 | Riley Herbst |
| 9 | 38 | Zane Smith |
| 10 | 41 | Cole Custer |
| 11 | 42 | John H. Nemechek |
| 12 | 43 | Erik Jones |
| 13 | 54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 14 | 60 | Ryan Preece |
| 15 | 66 | Chad Finchum |
| 16 | 71 | Michael McDowell |
| 17 | 77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 18 | 88 | Shane van Gisbergen |
News in Brief: 2025 NASCAR All-Star Entry List
With the full entry list unveiled, anticipation is building for a weekend filled with intensity, strategy, and old-school racing. Whether it’s a returning star like Harrison Burton in the No. 51 for Rick Ware Racing or a fan-favorite hopeful like Shane Van Gisbergen, the All-Star Weekend offers something for every NASCAR fan. The blend of seasoned champions, rising talent, and underdog dreamers will make for a can’t-miss spectacle in North Wilkesboro.
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