The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race Dover format explained

TL;DR

The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race will take place at Dover, marking its first time at the venue. The format has undergone significant changes, including the addition of resin to enhance track grip.

Key points

2026 NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover for the first time
Dover has not hosted a points-paying race since 1968
Resin will be added to the track for better grip
The format for the race has changed significantly

Mentioned in this story

Dover

NASCAR All-Star Race

Motorsport photo

The NASCAR All-Star Race changes formats ... often. The Sanctioning Body are not shy about using the race as an experiment, but this year marks quite a dramatic change.

First, the All-Star Race heads to Dover, Delaware for the very first time. The 'Monster Mile' will not host a points-paying race for the first time since 1968, but it will play host to the All-Star Race this weekend. NASCAR also plans to add resin all around the one-mile concrete oval to give the track more grip.

But, what is the actual format for the race? Here's a breakdown of how it's all going to work:

Qualifying and Pit Stop Competition

NASCAR will continue to use the three-lap qualifying format that includes a pit stop, as they have in recent All-Star Races. Drivers will run one flying lap, and continue into a second lap, where they will be required to make a four-tire pit stop (no fuel). They will then race back around to the start/finish line.

The fastest pit stop with no penalties will be awarded as the winners of the Pit Crew Challenge, while the starting lineup will be determined by the lowest total time for the entire qualifying run to the longest.

Segment 1 and Segment 2 of the main event

All 36 chartered cars entered into the event will start the All-Star Race, which is a big change from past years. The first segment will be 75 laps with no competition cautions.

At the conclusion of Segment 1, the top 26 will be inverted with the Segment 1 winner now 26th and the 26th-place runner now leading the race. They will run another 75 laps with no competition cautions.

Eliminating ten drivers before final segment

At the end of Segment 2, NASCAR will be eliminating ten drivers from the race. So, who gets to continue?

Well, 19 drivers already know that they are safe, as all 2025/2026 race winners and past series champions who are competing full-time are already locked in. For this year, that means 19 drivers are already safe.

Of the remaining positions available, six will be handed to the the drivers not yet locked in who scored the best average finish between the two segments. One will go to the Fan Vote winner. The other ten drivers who didn't make the cut will be sent to the garage, and their race will be over.