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There is no way around what happened in the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. The new format, which included all 36 competitors starting the All-Star Race, put "open" and "locked in" drivers in the same field. It all went downhill in the first two minutes after a big wreck damaged Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney.
It only got worse throughout the first and second segments, as over half of the "locked in" drivers had damage or accidents before the 200-lap main event was even underway. While Dover produced great racing in the last 200 laps, the format was a disaster, and it is time for NASCAR to make some big changes to fix the All-Star Race.
It starts with the location. Dover deserves a points race in the NASCAR Cup Series, so that should be a priority in 2027. In its place, Charlotte Motor Speedway should regain the All-Star Race, which would be its third oval date in a season. The All-Star Race makes sense at Charlotte, and it's time to bring back the festivities.
Instead of a complicated format, NASCAR should bring back the Open with the top two finishers and the Fan Vote winner advancing to the main event. The three drivers would join those who have won during the 2026/2027 seasons, previous All-Star Race winners, and Cup Series champions.
Finally, the main event should be simple. Instead of stages or segments, NASCAR should implement a 100-lap race with only a scheduled halfway break for pit stops. This is a traditional format that NASCAR could use for a long time, and it should work very well. Sometimes, a format doesn't need to be complicated to be good.
The NASCAR All-Star Race has lost its meaning in favor of entertainment. While it is fair for an exhibition race to lean toward entertainment, the fans and sponsors deserve a true All-Star Race featuring the best stock car drivers in the world. On Sunday, everyone was robbed of that due to a format that wasn't All-Star Race worthy.
NASCAR has addressed several key issues over the last few seasons, including the need for a new playoff format. The sport brought back a revitalized version of the Chase in 2026. Nothing is stopping NASCAR from doing the same with the All-Star Race. After all, the sport really needs to go back to the basics after the mess on Sunday.
More: Denny Hamlin wins 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: How NASCAR can fix the All-Star Race for the 2027 season
Continue reading...
It only got worse throughout the first and second segments, as over half of the "locked in" drivers had damage or accidents before the 200-lap main event was even underway. While Dover produced great racing in the last 200 laps, the format was a disaster, and it is time for NASCAR to make some big changes to fix the All-Star Race.
It starts with the location. Dover deserves a points race in the NASCAR Cup Series, so that should be a priority in 2027. In its place, Charlotte Motor Speedway should regain the All-Star Race, which would be its third oval date in a season. The All-Star Race makes sense at Charlotte, and it's time to bring back the festivities.
Instead of a complicated format, NASCAR should bring back the Open with the top two finishers and the Fan Vote winner advancing to the main event. The three drivers would join those who have won during the 2026/2027 seasons, previous All-Star Race winners, and Cup Series champions.
Finally, the main event should be simple. Instead of stages or segments, NASCAR should implement a 100-lap race with only a scheduled halfway break for pit stops. This is a traditional format that NASCAR could use for a long time, and it should work very well. Sometimes, a format doesn't need to be complicated to be good.
The NASCAR All-Star Race has lost its meaning in favor of entertainment. While it is fair for an exhibition race to lean toward entertainment, the fans and sponsors deserve a true All-Star Race featuring the best stock car drivers in the world. On Sunday, everyone was robbed of that due to a format that wasn't All-Star Race worthy.
NASCAR has addressed several key issues over the last few seasons, including the need for a new playoff format. The sport brought back a revitalized version of the Chase in 2026. Nothing is stopping NASCAR from doing the same with the All-Star Race. After all, the sport really needs to go back to the basics after the mess on Sunday.
More: Denny Hamlin wins 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: How NASCAR can fix the All-Star Race for the 2027 season
Continue reading...
