Christopher Bell wins $1 million in the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro

DChristopher Bell won his first NASCAR All-Star Race this Sunday at North Wilkesboro, passing Joey Logano in the closing laps to claim the $1 million prize in a race that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the checkered flag.

Tire strategy makes the difference

The race turned when Michael Waltrip threw the caution flag on lap 215, implementing the promotional break conceived by Marcus Smith. At this critical moment, Bell and his team opted for fresh right-side tires on their #20 Toyota Camry, while Logano and others stayed out on track.

This choice proved decisive: Bell restarted sixth but quickly charged to second by passing Ross Chastain on lap 227. He then reeled in Logano, making the winning pass on lap 241 when he forced the Team Penske driver high, ultimately building a 0.744-second advantage.

This track produces fantastic racing. Seeing cars battle for the lead at North Wilkesboro is something special. I love driving here.

The victory ends Toyota's eight-year drought in the All-Star Race, with Kyle Busch being the manufacturer's last winner in 2017.

Logano criticizes race format

For the second consecutive year, Joey Logano had the fastest car at North Wilkesboro. After leading 199 of 200 laps in 2024, the Cup Series champion again dominated much of the event by pacing 139 circuits compared to Bell's 28.

"I'm extremely frustrated," Logano said post-race. "We had the best car. That caution changed everything... I need to have a conversation with Marcus Smith about this."

Logano explained how the interruption altered what seemed like certain victory: "I tried holding off Bell, but his car with fresh tires came through the field so fast. It took me several laps to get heat back in my tires."

The driver also questioned Bell's final move: "He ran me into the wall and if I'd gotten back to him, I would have done the same. The tire difference was too much to overcome."

Open race and Larson's double-duty attempt

The day began with the All-Star Open, where Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports and John Hunter Nemechek from LEGACY Motor Club raced their way into the main event.

Hocevar capitalized on a questionable strategy by Shane van Gisbergen, who led early but lost position by taking four tires during the lap 51 break. Hocevar held on with worn tires to edge Nemechek by 0.697 seconds.

"Winning's always good, especially when tires played such a big role," Hocevar said. "Our car wasn't perfect, which makes this even better."

Noah Gragson completed the field by winning the fan vote for the third straight year, finishing 13th in the main event.

Kyle Larson, who qualified 21st for the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday, had minimal time to adjust to his #5 Chevrolet. After a two-tire stop on lap 178 moved him to third, he hit the wall on lap 214 and finished 21st, three laps down.