Christopher Bell wins the action-packed NASCAR All-Star Game

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Christopher Bell won the victory after nine laps left in the action-packed NASCAR All-Star Game at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night.

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In a big bang setting a leading record of change, Bell won 0.829 seconds in Logano for his first All-Star victory. Ross Chastain ranked third, followed by Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott.

Logano chose to keep tracks rather than pits during the last yellow. The decision proved to be expensive, and trying to stop Bell from getting ready for two new tires.

The field was bound by “sponsor caution” for the last time on lap 216, thrown by two-time Daytona 500 champion and Fox sports figure Michael Waltrip, who dropped the yellow flag on the track. The head of ensuring a later reboot is the sidebar of a big event game.

After a dull performance on the first two outings (including Logano, who won 199 laps last year at Logano, the All-Stars took more action at the third year of North Wilkesboro Speedway. There were 17 leading changes, breaking 13 marks in the event’s 41-year history (set in 2016).

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Pole positions Brad Keselowski and Logano traded the lead twice in the first 10 laps and often ran side by side. The first half of the game had six leaders and 10 leading changes, with the total number of leaders (four) and leading changes (five) summarizing in the last two All-Star games.

After 62 laps, Keselowski’s first All-Star victory bid ended with a 177-lap crash.

All-Star Open Results

Using the pit strategy, Carson Hocevar led the final 46 laps to the All-Star Game and entered the NASCAR All-Star Game.

Runner-up John Hunter Nemechek also made it to the main event in the 100-lap warm-up match. Noah Gragson won an online fan vote to win the final transfer seat in the All-Star game, and its field will include 20 other drivers playing for $1 million on 250 laps on Sunday night.

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Pole position Shane van Gisbergen leads the first 13 in the first 54 laps of the 0.625-mile oval. The New Zealand native entered his first full cup series after winning three supercar titles in Australia, falling to sixth place in four cautious pits in the middle.

“I don’t know if it’s a smile or a cry,” said Van Gisbergen, who is ranked 35th in the top 10 standings this season. “It’s been a bleak year for us, but I feel like we’re going to get better every week. That shows that.”

Expensive fines

Ryan Preece was sent to the back when restarted and finished 11th in the Open after 17 laps left. Pres said he accidentally crossed the promise line before the driver had to choose whether they restarted in the internal or external alley.

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“This doesn’t actually exist inside the car,” Preece said. “You can’t see it. I’m frustrated because if you have a situation like this, put a cone there so we can see it. Our Ford Mustang is super fast, and I think we’re the only ones on the wave. The run that takes away like that is heartbreaking.”

NASCAR repainted the restart commitment line before the All-Star Game begins.

More money

Since the 2003 event, the All-Star Championship has had a share of $1 million, with some drivers complaining that inflation has expired.

“I definitely think it should be improved,” 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said this week. “This is the only thing I could change in the All-Star game. I don’t want to be greedy, but I think you can raise it to $3 million.”

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Bubba Wallace said he suggested $5 million, but would hit $3 million.

“They have more TV funding, so why not do that,” Wallace said.

Next

The Cup Series will be raced on May 25 at the Charlotte Racing Circuit at the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the season. Christopher Bell won last year’s race, and the rain cut it from 600 miles to 374 miles.

Kyle Larson missed the 2024 race after being late as the Indianapolis 500 was postponed by the rain. The Hendrick Racing Star will once again try to be the fifth driver to compete in the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Care about betting? Head to our sports betting area for news and odds.

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