Kyle Larson leads NASCAR All-Star Race practice at Dover

TL;DR

Kyle Larson led the NASCAR All-Star Race practice at Dover with a top lap time of 22.792 seconds. The event marks Dover's first time hosting the All-Star Race, featuring 36 entries competing for a spot in the final segment.

Key points

Kyle Larson topped the speed charts at 22.792 seconds
Dover is hosting the All-Star Race for the first time
The practice session lasted 90 minutes
36 entries are participating in the All-Star Race
Ten drivers will be eliminated before the final segment

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NASCARNASCAR All-Star RaceKyle Larson

Motorsport photo

As Dover hosts the All-Star Race for the very first time, NASCAR provided teams with an extended 90-minute practice session on Friday.

Kyle Larson topped the speed charts at 22.792s lap (157.95mph) around around the one-mile concrete oval.

All 36 entries are taking part in the 350-lap All-Star Race this weekend, but ten drivers will be dropped ahead of the final segment. Every 2025/2026 race winner and former Cup champions still competing full-time are locked into Segment 3 already.

Michael McDowell, who was second overall, was the fastest of those not yet locked into the final segment. The next-best drivers in the same situation were Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (13th overall) and then Riley Herbst (14th overall), Connor Zilisch (16th overall), and Erik Jones (17th overall).

Behind Larson and McDowell, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Ty Gibbs filled out the rest of the overall top five.

Busch led the way in five-lap averages, but it was Carson Hocevar who dominated the long-run speeds. The Talladega winner led all drivers in ten-lap, 15-lap, 20-lap, 25-lap, and 30-lap averages.

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The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race Dover format explained

Chastain was the first driver to run a lap under 23 seconds, but it was Larson who quickly jumped to the top and remained there for the remainder of the session.

There was a close moment as Wallace was rolling down pit road and Van Gisbergen was exiting the garage, but they avoided contact. Several drivers were practicing their pit-in and getting into the pit box as that will be an integral part of this weekend's qualifying format.

Q&A

What was Kyle Larson's fastest lap time during the All-Star Race practice?

Kyle Larson's fastest lap time during the All-Star Race practice was 22.792 seconds.

How many drivers will be eliminated before the final segment of the All-Star Race?

Ten drivers will be dropped ahead of the final segment of the All-Star Race.

Is this the first time Dover has hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race?

Yes, this is the first time Dover is hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race.

Who is guaranteed a spot in Segment 3 of the All-Star Race?

Every 2025/2026 race winner and former Cup champions still competing full-time are guaranteed a spot in Segment 3.