The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway
We're here in Dover where, instead of fighting for points, we're fighting for one million dollars. Dover is a one-mile track up north and it has been known to bring some chaos to the NASCAR schedule. (I mean, it's literally called "The Monster Mile") Also, we have the new 2026 All-Star format, with multiple segments instead of one heat race. We'll see what Delaware has in store for us today.
Green Flag! Not for long! On lap 2, Ryan Preece came down on Todd Gilliland, which caused Gilliland to spin, Kyle Larson to hit the wall hard, and everybody behind to check up. This ended up causing many cars to incur damage. Denny Hamlin led the first segment for a while until a caution came out for the 77 of Carson Hocevar, who had gotten in the wall in turns 3 and 4.
There were a few cars that pitted, and a few that stayed out, so how did that turn out? Not well. Basically, we had a repeat of lap 2, taking out more cars, including Chase Elliott. Riley Herbst got loose off of the exit of turn 4, causing him to make contact with Alex Bowman, and causing everyone behind them to check up. That crash would also end the first segment.
AJ Allmendinger and SVG would lead the field to start the second segment, which would go smoothly until lap 7 when Ross Chastain made contact with Brad Keselowski, causing the 6 to spin across the backstretch and get hit by Bubba Wallace. Shortly after, SVG spun while fighting for the lead, with Tyler Reddick just able to avoid the 97. Shortly after that, Ty Gibbs spun on the frontstretch and acquired a flat tire. A few cars got repairs and came back after all the chaos we have had. Overall, it would be Tyler Reddick that would take the win in the second segment.
To start the third segment, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe would lead the field. Hamlin led for a few laps, but Briscoe eventually took the lead. The was going to be a competition caution on lap 75. Why? Nobody knows. Briscoe started falling off the pace and lost the lead to Tyler Reddick. Just before the competition caution, though, Hamlin was able to retake the lead. Connor Zilisch incurred a speeding penalty, which will not help him at all. Hamlin kept a steady lead after the restart, but it wouldn't be long before we had a caution for Joey Logano losing a tire and spinning into the wall.
Chase Briscoe made his way around his teammate for the lead, but while the 19 was cruising around at the front of the field, the 45 of Reddick had the hood open on his Toyota. Not a good sign for 23XI. Hamlin once again got the lead from his teammate, but this time kept it-he kept it long enough to win one million dollars.
The Monster Mile was sure monstruous today. What a race that was. Okay, I'm running out of things to put here, give me ideas people, I have a comment thingy-majiggy!