The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro is shaping up to be pure chaos in the best way possible. New rules, bigger laps, and a million bucks on the line. It’s the kind of race where reputations are built in one night, and redemption stories practically write themselves. Which brings us to Brad Keselowski. Let’s be honest, his 2025 season so far has been, well… rough.

The top-10s have been scarce, and RFK Racing’s been struggling to find consistency. But this weekend, Keselowski flipped the script in a big way by bagging the pole for the All-Star main event. Suddenly, the veteran is back in the spotlight, and the garage knows it. Could this be the jolt he and his team have been waiting for? It might be too early to say, but one thing’s clear: Brad’s not done yet.

A much-needed spark in a gritty season for Brad Keselowski

Brad Keselowski knows what it’s like to fight through tough times. As a young driver, he left his family-owned racing team to build a name for himself. Keselowski was motivated and talented and caught the eye of Rick Hendrick, and Hendrick Motorsports gave him his first Cup start back in 2008. By his sixth race, he was already a Cup winner, taking the trophy at Talladega in 2009. However, 2010 saw him go winless in his first year with Penske Racing, but that didn’t deter him at all. The next two seasons were masterclasses in racing, as Keselowski won 8 races over two years and clinched the 2012 Championship.

So evidently, Brad K knows how to come back from a slump, but even by his standards, 2025 has been a massive slump. Coming into North Wilkesboro, Keselowski and RFK Racing were stuck in a rut. Sitting in the 33rd position in the drivers standings, Brad Keselowski had zero top-5 or even top-10 finishes in the first 12 races. His best result? Eleventh at Las Vegas. DNFs (5) and mid-pack runs have been the story more often than not, leaving fans and the garage wondering if the 2012 champ could turn things around.

But if there’s one thing the All-Star Race is famous for, it’s flipping the script. On Saturday, Keselowski shocked the field by grabbing the pole for the main event, clocking a blistering total lap time of 87.363 seconds (77.264 mph). Brad Keselowski was pumped at his drive, and said, “Yeah, it’s pretty freaking cool man. To win the pole for the All-Star Race — I’ve never done that. It’s one of the things I’ve never done in my career, and to do it by so much — like nine tenths — it’s a total team effort. The pit crew and [crew chief] Jeremy Bullins and the team gave me a rock-solid car and said, here you go, here’s the ball. I nailed the lap, and just really proud. Really happy for everybody.”

Keselowski’s qualifying effort puts him ahead of Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman, Chase Briscoe, and William Byron in the top five. The pole is especially valuable at North Wilkesboro’s tight 0.625-mile layout, where track position is crucial and passing can be a challenge. For Keselowski, it’s a chance to control the race early and avoid the chaos that often defines the All-Star format. Last year’s race saw Joey Logano lead 199/200 laps from pole position to take the win. So, while fans might not hope for a drab outcome like that again, Keselowski would be pumped at his chances.

Historically, Keselowski has been a factor in the All-Star Race, though he’s never claimed the win. In his last 16 appearances, he has managed four top-5s and nine top-10s with an average finish of 11.1. Keselowski was a runner-up in 2012 and a fourth-place finisher in 2020. However, it’s worth noting that Keselowski did start 2nd last year but ended up finishing 16th, and the year before that he started 8th and finished 19th. Regardless, after a season that has been undoubtedly the worst of his career so far, Brad K would be as optimistic as he’s ever been to turn it around.

With new rules, a longer race, and a million-dollar prize on the line, Keselowski’s pole could be the jolt RFK Racing needs. Is this the weekend Brad finally turns his season around, or will North Wilkesboro’s short-track drama throw up another twist? All eyes will be on the No. 6 when the green flag drops Sunday night.

Trending

1

Chase Elliott Sends 5-Word Heartfelt Message to Rick Hendrick After Wild Atlanta Victory

2

Months After Fighting for Divorce, NASCAR Driver Reunites With Wife

3

Teresa Earnhardt Faces Huge Backlash After $2.23 Trillion Earnhardt Partner’s Exposè

4

Downed HMS Driver’s Self-Sacrificial Move Earns High Praise From Rick Hendrick’s Partner

5

Carson Hocevar Warned by NASCAR Champion After Spire Motorsports Reignite Old Beef

Special race, special qualifying format

The NASCAR All-Star Race has always been about more than just raw speed, and the 2025 edition at North Wilkesboro took qualifying drama to a whole new level. This year’s unique format challenged both drivers and crews, making the road to the pole as thrilling as the race itself. Forget the usual single-lap dash. This was a true team test from start to finish!

Qualifying for both the All-Star Race and the All-Star Open featured a three-lap run around the historic 0.625-mile oval. But here’s the twist! On the second lap, every driver had to make a mandatory four-tire pit stop in one of two designated stalls. No fuel was allowed. Just pure pit crew hustle. The total time, including the pit stop, determined each driver’s qualifying result, blending on-track speed with pit road perfection.

This setup put immense pressure on the crews, knowing a single misstep could cost their driver a shot at the front row. It also added a new layer of strategy. Do you push the entry to pit road and risk a penalty? Or play it safe and hope your crew nails the stop? For fans, it was edge-of-the-seat stuff, watching drivers scream onto pit road, tires screeching, crews leaping into action, and then blasting back onto the track.

The stakes weren’t just about starting position. The fastest pit crew in qualifying claimed a $100,000 bonus in the Pit Crew Challenge. This year, Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Spire Motorsports team stole the show, clocking an incredible 12.587-second stop to secure the cash and bragging rights. It was a huge moment for McDowell’s crew, proving they could go toe-to-toe with the best in the business.

Who do you think will come out on top this Sunday? Let us know in the comments!