The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway promises a fresh twist with exciting new features. At least, that’s what the officials anticipate! The main event stretches to 250 laps, includes a mid-race competition break, and introduces a “Promoter’s Caution” to shake up the final laps. There’s also a Manufacturer Showdown and revamped qualifying with pit crew challenges and heat races to spice things up. But despite these changes, the excitement in the garage is surprisingly low.

Turns out, many drivers and teams are skipping the event or treating it as just another race weekend. Maybe rising charter costs and the lack of championship points have dulled the once fiery ‘run what you brung,’ spirit, making it harder to justify the effort. However, Kevin Harvick is rooting for the event, even if not wholeheartedly. He supports the million-dollar spectacle but has some reservations.

Kevin Harvick suggests bold change to All-Star officials

The NASCAR All-Star Race debuted in 1985 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. But, it quickly became a fan favorite for its no-points format and big-money prize. Initially called “The Winston,” the event was designed as a showcase for the sport’s top drivers. The event gave memorable moments like Darrell Waltrip’s inaugural win and Dale Earnhardt’s legendary “Pass in the Grass.” Over the decades, the race has seen numerous format changes, venue shifts, and a growing winner’s purse. But do you know what it actually stands for? ‘Change is the only constant’ is the real idea, as every spun-off rule that drives the fan crazy becomes a part of the rulebook. And Kevin Harvick capitalizes on its uniqueness.

He is quick to praise the spectacle, saying, “I think everything is great, I think this weekend will be great. I think that there are a number of things that go with the All-Star race that will be interesting and unique to see happen.” Clearly, Happy Harvick recognizes the effort NASCAR has put into making the event fun and spectacular, and he believes fans will enjoy the new elements on display. From treating the fans to a festival atmosphere, with support races, concerts, and grassroots racing action all weekend long, NASCAR is pulling out all the stops to recapture the All-Star magic.

Yet, given the displeasure among drivers and team owners, Harvick’s main reservation is about the All-Star Race’s true place in the modern NASCAR landscape. He suggests that, rather than treating it as a special exhibition, perhaps it’s time to make it a part of NASCAR’s main schedule. “Just make it the 37th race,” Harvick suggested. This sentiment speaks volumes about the shifting priorities within the sport. With escalating costs, no championship points on the line, and a growing sense among drivers and teams that the stakes aren’t what they used to be. The All-Star Race risks becoming just another date on the calendar.

Kevin Harvick drew parallels with other sports, saying, “I think all sports have gone through this all-star question, and I think when you look at everything that goes with the NHL, the NBA All-Star game, and the Pro Bowl with the NFL. I mean, it’s just a piece of the puzzle that all major sports have gone through.” All of these have wrestled with declining relevance, format changes, and questions about how to keep both athletes and fans engaged. Like NASCAR, these leagues have experimented with new rules, skills, competitions, and entertainment elements to try to recapture the magic. Look at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, for example. It averaged just 4.7 million viewers, down 13% from the previous year and marking the second-lowest-rated All-Star Game in history! However, NASCAR All-Star officials are confident about the evolution of the throwback event race.

“In the 40-year history of the All-Star Race, there has never been so much on-track action across the entire event week,” said Jessica Fickenscher, Executive Director of the NASCAR All-Star Race.

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Meanwhile, fans and insiders have their takes

Several drivers and commentators have suggested that the All-Star Race should return to its roots as a true sprint, emphasizing urgency and excitement over length. Some feel the 250-lap format makes the race feel too much like a standard points event. This dilutes its unique, high-stakes spirit. “I would have liked a shorter race to raise the urgency, and be less like a regular points race,” one fan echoed, a sentiment shared by several in the NASCAR community.

For now, the format remains the same. There would be a competition caution at or around Lap 100. And, an optional ‘Promoter’s Caution’ before Lap 220. Michael Waltrip has also expressed curiosity about how new elements, saying, “I just think the strategy is going to be wildly different because of the tire fall-off, like I said, because the pavement has a year of age on it. And how you play your cards around the Promoter’s Caution.”

There’s also a recurring call for the All-Star Race to be a platform for genuine experimentation. Not just with race formats, but with technology and competition rules. However, Denny Hamlin had his own doubts. “All-Star format’s okay,” he said. “Does it have a gimmick in there? Yeah, but it’s not super gimmicky. I hear some people talk about, ‘Oh, this is just all we need is NASCAR to open up Pandora’s box.”

On the other hand, a few voices have even floated the idea of eliminating the All-Star Race altogether. The fans feel there is a need for giving teams a much-needed mid-season break, mirroring trends in other major sports. Others suggest awarding points or playoff incentives to raise the stakes. This will ensure teams and drivers have more than just pride and prize money on the line.

As NASCAR continues to tweak the All-Star Race, these suggestions highlight a shared desire. To restore the event’s sense of urgency, innovation, and real consequence-making it once again a true highlight of the racing calendar.