NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C., May 15, 2025 — The NASCAR All-Star Race and related events will take center stage at North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend, marking the third consecutive year the 0.625-mile asphalt oval hosts the prestigious event. The All-Star Race, scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at 8 p.m. ET, features a $2,421,400 purse and covers 156.25 miles over 250 laps. The weekend also includes the NASCAR All-Star Open, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Window World 250, and additional racing and entertainment.
The All-Star Race, in its 41st year, expects 23 drivers, with 20 already qualified and three advancing from the All-Star Open, set for 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday with a $581,100 purse over 100 laps. “The winner of the All-Star race went on to win the Championship three of the last five years, 13 times total,” according to NASCAR records. Kyle Larson, with three wins in the last six All-Star races, leads active drivers, while Hendrick Motorsports holds a record 11 victories.
Friday’s schedule begins with All-Star and Open practice at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS2, followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying and the Pit Crew Challenge at 6 p.m. ET on FS1. “A $100,000 bonus and a trophy are awarded to the winner of the Pit Crew Challenge this season,” NASCAR announced. Christopher Bell’s crew won the challenge in 2023 and 2024, posting times of 13.012 and 13.223 seconds, respectively.
On Saturday, the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Window World 250 runs at 1:30 p.m. ET on FS1, covering 156.25 miles with stage breaks at laps 70, 140, and 250. Corey Heim, the 2024 North Wilkesboro winner, is a top contender. All-Star Heat Races follow at 5 p.m. ET on FS2, setting the All-Star Race lineup. A concert by country music star Jake Owen, presented by Raymer Oil, will close the day.
The All-Star Open and All-Star Race air on FS1, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. The Open’s top two finishers and a fan vote winner transfer to the All-Star Race. Noah Gragson has won the fan vote the last two years.
North Wilkesboro Speedway, opened in 1947 by Enoch Staley and others, has a storied history. The track hosted NASCAR’s first named race, the 1949 Wilkes 200, won by Bob Flock. Richard Petty leads Cup Series wins at the track with 15. After a 26-year hiatus, racing returned in 2023, supported by a $40 million state budget allocation in 2021. The track was repaved for 2024, enhancing its suitability for high-level competition.
Wood Brothers Racing, celebrating its 75th year, will be honored during the All-Star Race. Len Wood serves as honorary starter, Eddie Wood as honorary pace car driver, and Jon Wood and Michael Waltrip as grand marshals. Ford, named the Official Car and Truck of North Wilkesboro, provides the Ford Mustang Dark Horse as the pace car.
The FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150, a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race, runs Sunday at 2 p.m. ET, marking the tour’s third year at the track. NASCAR recently named the first 10 of 40 greatest Whelen Modified Tour drivers, including Mike Stefanik with 74 wins and Richie Evans, a 1985 champion.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is set for May 24 at 4:30 p.m. ET on CW, covering 300 miles with a $1,651,939 purse. Justin Allgaier, the points leader, is the only full-time driver with a prior Charlotte Xfinity win. “The last 12 NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been won by 12 different drivers,” per NASCAR stats.
