The NASCAR Cup Series heads to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the sport’s biggest exhibition spectacle — the 2025 All-Star Race. For the third year in a row, the historic 0.625-mile short track in North Carolina will host both the All-Star Race and the All-Star Open. With 250 laps of intense action scheduled for Sunday night, May 18, drivers and teams will need to be sharp from the opening practice to Sunday’s final restart.
This year’s All-Star weekend is unique not only in format but in who earns the right to compete in the main event. While 20 drivers are already locked into Sunday night’s All-Star Race, several others will have to race their way in via the All-Star Open. With qualifying procedures, heat races, and weather all playing a role, here’s everything fans need to know about the qualifying order, weekend schedule, and what to expect at North Wilkesboro.
A Short Track With a Big Role in 2025
North Wilkesboro Speedway returned to the NASCAR Cup Series calendar in 2023 and quickly reestablished itself as a fan favorite. The .625-mile oval with 14 degrees of banking in the turns provides tight, technical racing reminiscent of NASCAR’s roots. Though the track only appears once on the Cup schedule in 2025, it pulls double duty this weekend by hosting both the Truck Series’ Window World 250 and the All-Star Race.
Sunday’s All-Star event will showcase 23 drivers — 20 already qualified, with the remaining three spots filled through Saturday’s heat races and the All-Star Open. The qualifying format remains unconventional, with drivers running a three-lap session that includes a mandatory four-tire pit stop on Lap 2. The fastest combined time sets the order for the two Saturday night heat races, which will then determine the starting grid for Sunday.
All-Star Open: A Battle for Survival
Before Sunday’s headliners take center stage, a deep field of 18 hopefuls will compete in the All-Star Open — an all-out sprint for the final transfer spots into the main event. According to veteran reporter Bob Pockrass, the qualifying order for the Open places Chad Finchum (No. 66) on track first, followed by Cody Ware (No. 15) and Shane van Gisbergen (No. 88).
Qualifying order for North Wilkesboro. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/5dVUal29Jo
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 14, 2025
Other notable names in the Open lineup include:
Cole Custer (No. 41)
Erik Jones (No. 43)
Bubba Wallace (No. 23)
Justin Haley (No. 7)
AJ Allmendinger (No. 16)
Ty Gibbs (No. 54)
Zane Smith (No. 38)
| S.No | Driver Name | Car No. |
| 1 | Chad Finchum | No. 66 |
| 2 | Cody Ware | No. 15 |
| 3 | Shane van Gisbergen | No. 88 |
| 4 | Cole Custer | No. 41 |
| 5 | Riley Herbst | No. 35 |
| 6 | Noah Gragson | No. 4 |
| 7 | Ty Dillon | No. 10 |
| 8 | Erik Jones | No. 43 |
| 9 | Justin Haley | No. 7 |
| 10 | Ty Gibbs | No. 54 |
| 11 | A.J. Allmendinger | No. 16 |
| 12 | Todd Gilliland | No. 34 |
| 13 | Zane Smith | No. 38 |
| 14 | Michael McDowell | No. 71 |
| 15 | Carson Hocevar | No. 77 |
| 16 | John Hunter Nemechek | No. 42 |
| 17 | Ryan Preece | No. 60 |
| 18 | Bubba Wallace | No. 23 |
With only a few spots available in the All-Star Race, tensions will run high as these drivers vie for track position and clean air during their time trials and heat races.
All-Star Race Qualifying Order: Stars Take the Stage
The field for the All-Star Race includes Cup champions, playoff regulars, and rising stars. The qualifying order for Sunday’s showcase was also revealed by Pockrass, with Harrison Burton (No. 51) leading off the session and Justin Allgaier (No. 5) following close behind.
The rest of the lineup is packed with big names:
Kyle Busch (No. 8)
Joey Logano (No. 22)
Denny Hamlin (No. 11)
Chase Elliott (No. 9)
Ryan Blaney (No. 12)
William Byron (No. 24)
Christopher Bell (No. 20)
| S.No | Driver Name | Car No. |
| 1 | Harrison Burton | No. 51 |
| 2 | Justin Allgaier | No. 5 |
| 3 | Brad Keselowski | No. 6 |
| 4 | Daniel Suarez | No. 99 |
| 5 | Austin Dillon | No. 3 |
| 6 | Kyle Busch | No. 8 |
| 7 | Josh Berry | No. 21 |
| 8 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | No. 47 |
| 9 | Austin Cindric | No. 2 |
| 10 | Chase Briscoe | No. 19 |
| 11 | Chris Buescher | No. 17 |
| 12 | Ross Chastain | No. 1 |
| 13 | Joey Logano | No. 22 |
| 14 | Alex Bowman | No. 48 |
| 15 | Denny Hamlin | No. 11 |
| 16 | Tyler Reddick | No. 45 |
| 17 | Ryan Blaney | No. 12 |
| 18 | Chase Elliott | No. 9 |
| 19 | Christopher Bell | No. 20 |
| 20 | William Byron | No. 24 |
These drivers will not only be racing the clock but also competing against the pit crews — with the pit stop on Lap 2 being a crucial element of the qualifying formula.
The stars will shine with $1 million on the line. #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/denQ1AY9zO
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 14, 2025
Weather Outlook: Warm Days, Chance of Rain
Weather could play a key role in the weekend’s festivities. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to peak in the low-to-mid 80s across all three days of action.
Friday (Practice and Qualifying):
High: 85°F
Precipitation: 23% chance in the afternoon and evening
Wind: 2 to 7 mph
Saturday (Heat Races & Truck Series):
High: 83°F
Precipitation: 43% chance from 2 PM to 8 PM
Wind: Gusts up to 23 mph
Sunday (All-Star Race Day):
High: 83°F
Precipitation: Low, only 13% during racing hours
Wind: Calm at 2 to 3 mph
Although Friday and Saturday carry moderate chances of rain, Sunday’s main event appears safe, with near-perfect weather expected for the 8 p.m. green flag.
News in Brief: 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race Qualifying Order
As the 2025 NASCAR season marches forward, North Wilkesboro once again finds itself in the national spotlight. With an unpredictable qualifying format, a mix of veterans and underdogs in the All-Star Open, and millions of dollars on the line, the All-Star weekend has all the ingredients for fireworks on and off the track.
Whether you’re watching the pit crew challenge, the Truck Series showdown, or the final sprint under the lights on Sunday night, fans can expect high drama and even higher speeds. Tune in to FS1 and MRN for full coverage of NASCAR’s return to one of its most iconic venues.
