The classic NASCAR vibes just keep on keeping on this week as the stars of the Cup Series return to North Wilkesboro Speedway for its annual All-Star Race.
This one is going to look a little bit different guys. There are no regular season points or playoff berths. The only thing that matters is winning $1,000,000 and securing bragging rights.
The once dormant North Wilkesboro Speedway is once again the site of this event, and this time its back with a brand new surface. Last season, Kyle Larson whipped the field from start to finish on this .625 mile short track en route to his third All-Star win.
The new surface is going to provide an interesting challenge for teams and drivers to prepare for, as there is no telling just how it will affect tires.
Tires have been a huge obstacle on short tracks since the debut of the Next Gen car, as they either last a really long time, or they don’t last long enough like they did at Bristol earlier this season.
Also, for the first time in the history of the sport, there will be three different tire compounds for teams to choose from: the standard compound, an option compound that wears quickly but is much quicker on the stopwatch, and of course the wet weather compound should it rain.
Whoever cracks the code of tire wear and having the perfect balance on Wilkesboro’s unique layout will find the most success, as Larson did last season. It will be particularly hard to pass as well, as it usually is with the Next Gen car. Expect to see high aggression as these drivers will use the front bumper to move the car in front out of the way if the opportunity presents itself.
Look for drivers who excel at places like Martinsville, New Hampshire, and Phoenix to be at or near the front Sunday afternoon. There is also the curve ball of picking drivers who aren’t yet qualified for the main event, as they will have to either race their way in via the All-Star Open or by winning the fan vote. Only the top two finishers in the Open and the winner of the fan vote will transfer.
Qualifying is also a huge factor, as it is incredibly unique. The first lap will be a traditional time trial lap, and then the second lap will be a time trial plus a green flag pit stop. Total elapsed time will determine the pole sitter for both the main event and the first of two sixty lap heat races. Those heat races will determine the inside and outside row. The fastest pit crew will win the All-Star Pit Crew…
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