The NASCAR All-Star Race has become one of the sport’s most innovative exhibition events, where formats and technical elements can be tested on a grand scale and this weekend’s spectacular will be no different.
NASCAR and Texas Motor Speedway announced the format and eligibility for the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, May 22 that features four stages and 125 laps of on-track competition for a $1 million payday, stage winner incentives, amplified roles for the pit crews, and a distinctive head-to-head elimination qualifying format.
The NASCAR All-Star Race returns to Texas Motor Speedway for the second consecutive season and this 38th edition brings some unique twists for the eligible Cup drivers pursuing the winner-take-all $1 million payday. The most prominent twist will come in the form of a four-round qualifying format with head-to-head elimination rounds and the pivotal role of the pit crews.
The NASCAR All-Star Qualifying format is as follows:
- • Opening round is the traditional single-car, one-lap format in reverse order of the current 2022 owner points.
- • Fastest eight qualifiers transfer to a three-round, head-to-head elimination bracket.
- • Elimination bracket will feature two cars staged in adjacent pit stalls near the end of pit road.
- • At the sound of an alert, each pit crew will perform a four-tire stop and, at the drop of the jack, drivers will exit their pit stalls (with no speed limit) onto the track.
- • First car back to the start/finish line advances to the next round.
- • Final pairing competes for the pole.
The NASCAR All-Star Race format is as follows:
The race will consist of four stages, with the first three 25 laps in length and the fourth and final being a 50-lap shootout for the $1 million prize. The new format has provided a major incentive to win any of the opening three stages or the pit stop competition during the break between Stages 2 and 3.
- • Stage 1 (25 laps): Stage 1 winner will start on the pole in the final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stages 2 and 3.
- • Stage 2 (25 laps): Stage 2 winner starts second in final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stage 3.
- • Special Stage Break (Pit Stop Competition): Each team must pit and perform a four-tire stop. The team with the shortest time on pit road (pit in/pit out) wins the pit crew award and the driver will start fourth in the final stage as long as he finishes 15th or better in Stage 3.
- • Stage 3 (25 laps): Stage 3 winner starts third in final stage.
- • Stage 4 (50 laps): Stage 1 winner starts first, Stage 2 winner second, Stage 3 winner third and pit stop competition winner fourth. If a “natural” caution occurs between laps 15-25 of the final stage, standard race procedures will be in effect. If no “natural” caution occurs during that time, NASCAR will call an “All Star” competition caution.
- • Winner of Stage 4 earns $1 million.
NASCAR All-Star Open format is as follows:
- • The NASCAR All-Star Open will run immediately prior to the NASCAR All-Star Race and will include three stages (20 laps / 20 laps / 10 laps).
- • The winner of each stage will earn a spot in the NASCAR All-Star Race.
- • The winner of the Fan Vote will also earn a spot in the NASCAR All-Star Race. Fans may vote for their favorite driver by visiting NASCAR.com.
Who’s already locked into the Main Event – the 2022 NASCAR All-Stars Heading into this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, 20 different drivers have earned their spot in the NASCAR All-Star Race on May 22 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Drivers eligible for the 2022 NASCAR All-Star Race consist of:
- • Cup Series drivers who have earned a points-paying race victory in either 2021 or 2022.
- • Previous NASCAR All-Star Race winners who are competing full-time this season.
- • Previous NASCAR Cup Series champions who are competing full-time this season.
| Entry | Car | Driver | Organization |
| 1 | 1 | Ross Chastain | TrackHouse Racing |
| 2 | 2 | Austin Cindric | Team Penske |
| 3 | 4 | Kevin Harvick | Stewart Haas Racing |
| 4 | 5 | Kyle Larson | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 5 | 6 | Brad Keselowski | RFK Racing |
| 6 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 7 | 10 | Aric Almirola | Stewart Haas Racing |
| 8 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 9 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske |
| 10 | 14 | Chase Briscoe | Stewart Haas Racing |
| 11 | 16 | Allmendinger (i) | Kaulig Racing |
| 12 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 13 | 19 | Martin Truex Jr | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 14 | 20 | Christopher Bell | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 15 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske |
| 16 | 23 | Bubba Wallace | 23XI Racing |
| 17 | 24 | William Byron | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 18 | 34 | Michael McDowell | Front Row Motorsports |
| 19 | 45 | Kurt Busch | 23XI Racing |
| 20 | 48 | Alex Bowman | Hendrick Motorsports |
Of the 20 drivers already entered in the NASCAR All-Star race, seven have previously scored wins in the annual exhibition event, led by Kevin Harvick (2007, 2018) and Kyle Larson (2019, 2021) with two All-Star victories each. 2021 series champion, Kyle Larson is the most recent NASCAR All-Star race winner, bringing home the victory from Texas Motor Speedway last season.
In total, 24 drivers will make a start in this season’s NASCAR All-Star race and four additional positions will be added to the NASCAR All-Star Race field following the NASCAR All-Star Open – the NASCAR Open Stage 1 Winner, the NASCAR Open Stage 2 Winner, the NASCAR All-Star Open Winner, and the Fan Vote Winner.
It’s not just any weekend in NASCAR… it’s All-Star weekend! Tune in to watch the best of the best battle it out at @TXMotorSpeedway. pic.twitter.com/MX3jlvIdzi
— Goodyear (@goodyear) May 20, 2022
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