The historic North Wilkesboro Speedway was alive with excitement Sunday night as the NASCAR All-Star Race delivered intense drama and a breathtaking finish. Joey Logano, driving the No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang, once again showed his strength on the short track, leading a race-high 139 laps and looking poised to repeat his All-Star success from last year. However, a controversial promoter’s caution and a daring charge by Christopher Bell in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota shifted the tides late, ultimately handing Bell the victory and leaving Logano frustrated just shy of a second consecutive All-Star win.
Joey Logano’s Dominance on a Historic Short Track
Joey Logano carried the momentum of last year’s win into the 250-lap exhibition event, putting on a masterclass on the 0.625-mile oval. The Shell-Pennzoil Mustang was simply the fastest car on the track, and Logano’s control over the race was evident as he led 139 laps to Bell’s 28. For most of the night, Logano seemed untouchable, building a comfortable lead and fending off all challengers with precise driving and smart strategy.
“We had the fastest car,” Logano admitted after the race. “The Shell-Pennzoil Mustang was so fast. I did all I could to hold him off.” But despite this dominance, the race’s final outcome would come down to more than just speed.
The Promoter’s Caution: A Strategy Game-Changer
This year’s All-Star Race featured a new wrinkle — a promoter’s caution signaled unofficially by Michael Waltrip and mandated by Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith between laps 175 and 220. This yellow flag bunched up the field and forced teams to make a critical decision: pit for fresh tires or stay out to maintain track position.
Logano and his teammate Ryan Blaney chose to stay out, banking on track position to secure the win. Meanwhile, Bell pitted for two fresh right-side tires, restarting sixth but quickly charging through the field. The strategy gamble would prove costly for Logano.
“We got beat,” Logano said bluntly. “It felt like it was 50/50, we were gonna put two [tires] on and then at the last minute, we decided to stay out. I thought six cars was going to be enough.” The caution erased Logano’s lead and put fresh tires on Bell’s car, giving the Joe Gibbs Racing driver a crucial edge down the stretch.
The Final Duel: Bell vs. Logano
The last 28 laps turned into a high-stakes battle between Bell and Logano. Bell, energized by his tire advantage, pushed hard, eventually pulling even with Logano on Lap 241. In a dramatic move, Bell drifted toward the wall, nudging Logano up the track and seizing the lead with a daring slider.
OLD-FASHIONED SHORT TRACK RACIN' ‼️
Check out Christopher Bell's RACE WINNING MOVE over Joey Logano for his first #AllStarRace win!
🎥: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/2JtWKyFLSp
— ATYL Media (@ATYLmedia) May 19, 2025
Bell described the moment vividly after climbing from his car: “North Wilkesboro, how about that one? That right there is absolutely incredible. North Wilkesboro, best short track on the schedule.” He credited his team for delivering “the best car we’ve had in a long time” and praised Logano’s performance as fierce competition.
Logano was visibly frustrated by the pass and the circumstances leading to it. “I’m pissed off right now,” he said. “Just dang it, we had the fastest car… I’m a little … me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, OK? I’ve got to have a word with him.”
Despite the disappointment, Logano acknowledged the aggressive racing spirit between the two drivers: “Oh, I just race him the same way. That’s all it is. Like I said, we’re racing for a million dollars, I get it. But we race each other every week. We’re like elephants, we don’t forget anything.”
What This Means for Logano Going Forward
Losing a race after leading so many laps and having the fastest car is always a tough pill to swallow. Logano’s candid frustration revealed the fine margins that can make or break success in NASCAR — especially in non-points, high-stakes events like the All-Star Race where a $1 million prize hangs in the balance.
But Logano’s competitive fire remains intact. “I was doing all I can to play defense until my rear tires would come in,” he explained. “It just took too long, and then he was gone, I couldn’t catch back up.”
This race highlighted the importance of strategy decisions and how even the strongest car can be undone by a single caution call or pit stop choice. It also set the stage for a budding rivalry with Bell, whose aggressive move showed he’s ready to challenge Logano week after week.
Looking Ahead: The Coca-Cola 600 and Beyond
With the All-Star Race behind him, Logano will turn his focus to the next points-paying event — the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. As the NASCAR Cup Series enters the Prime Video era, fans will be watching closely to see how Logano rebounds from this tough loss.
Meanwhile, Bell’s breakthrough win injects new excitement into the season and showcases the competitive depth across teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske.
Logano summed it up well: “It’s frustrating when you lead that many laps and have the fastest car, and a gimmick caution beats you. But that’s racing.” It’s that unpredictable drama that keeps NASCAR fans on the edge of their seats — and the rivalry between Logano and Bell just added another thrilling chapter.
News in Brief: Joey Logano’s Near-Miss at North Wilkesboro
Joey Logano’s night at North Wilkesboro Speedway was a display of speed, skill, and dominance, only to be upended by a strategic gamble and a bold move from Christopher Bell. Bell’s first All-Star victory and Logano’s runner-up finish highlighted the unpredictable nature of NASCAR’s most exciting exhibition race.
Bell celebrated a hard-fought win on what he called “the best short track on the schedule,” while Logano’s frustration underscored how even the best cars and drivers must navigate strategy, luck, and split-second decisions.
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