NASCAR is returning to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star Race, and the anticipation is through the roof. Last year, Kyle Larson dominated the event and secured his third All-Star Race victory. North Wilkesboro has been repaved, and its ready for the race weekend, with NASCAR announcing a new format.
On Friday, qualifying sessions will set the starting lineup for both the Open and the pair of 60-lap heats scheduled for Saturday. The heats will set the starting lineup for the All-Star Race. Then, there will be a 200-lap main event with two scheduled breaks. One break will happen at halfway, and another with 50 laps to go with a new set of rules.
NASCAR will have a “prime” tire and an “option” tire for the event. The “prime” tire will be what was tested at North Wilkesboro last month with conventional yellow lettering on the sidewalls. Meanwhile, the “option” tire uses the same rubber compound as the wet-weather tires in a slick, providing improved short-term grip but more rapid wear with red lettering.
The format for the 2024 #AllStarRace at @NWBSpeedway is here!
New this year, NASCAR will make multiple tire compounds (prime and option) available to teams for use throughout the weekend.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 23, 2024
The drivers must qualify on the “prime” tire and start the main event on the “option” tire. Beyond that point, teams can decide on whichever tires they want. Also, teams must make a pit stop for four tires at the halfway point of the qualifying heats, the Open, and the All-Star Race. As you can tell, tires will be a major topic during the weekend.
Overall, NASCAR’s new All-Star Race format is bound to have exciting racing at North Wilkesboro. It will be fascinating to see how the drivers and teams manage the new tire compounds. No one knows how the Cup Series cars will drive during a race at North Wilkesboro after the repave, and the new tire option will provide even more unpredictability.
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