In May 1989, the All-Star Race turned into a war zone. Not just on the track, but off it too. On that night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip weren’t just battling for position; they were fighting for pride, money, and respect. Wallace bumped Waltrip late in the race and took the win. The move sparked chaos.

Their pit crews got into a heated brawl on the road to Victory Lane. That wasn’t the end of it. Days later, tension spilled into a local restaurant where both teams often dined. They sat in icy silence, unable to even share the same space. The rivalry outlived the race itself. NASCAR was wild, raw, and real, and fans loved it.

What people remember most, though, is what Waltrip said after losing that night. “I just hope he chokes on that $200,000! That’s all I can say.” That quote captured everything: the bitterness, the stakes, and just how important the prize money was. Wallace had won $240,000. That wasn’t just a check. It was a reason to risk everything. Back then, the All-Star Race wasn’t just for bragging rights. It was for real cash and unforgettable moments. Even Bill Elliott still talks about the rough finish with Dale Earnhardt in 1987 like it happened yesterday.

In those days, money and pride went hand in hand. Wrecks led to hospital visits. Remember when Davey Allison won in 1992 but got flown out unconscious. He walked away with a concussion and $300,000. Fast forward to today, and the setting is different, but the tension is coming back. The NASCAR All-Star Race is once again under fire, this time for a quieter but sharper issue. The prize money. Set at $1 million since 2003, many drivers now feel the purse hasn’t kept up with time. As the 2025 race returns to North Wilkesboro, the stars aren’t holding back. They’re not throwing punches, at least not yet, but they are making noise.

Since 2003, the winner’s share of the All-Star Race has been a flat $1 million. No raises. No inflation adjustments. Just the same seven-figure check, year after year. While it might sound like a lot, many Cup Series drivers argue that it’s simply not enough anymore. Denny Hamlin recently put it bluntly: “A dollar is now $3 today, 30 years ago. So probably three million.”

He isn’t wrong. That $1 million from 2003 would be worth around $1.7 million in 2024 after adjusting the inflation. But NASCAR hasn’t budged and that’s the problem. That’s not all. Hamlin added, “Certainly, the purse could get updated with the times. If you don’t win, it really financially is not a great deal for us to come here. So, it’s a bit challenging as far as that’s concerned. I think there’s any sport that can get the most out of its teams and players in an all-star format.” 

And Hamlin’s isn’t alone. 2023 Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney said that he wouldn’t wreck anyone for a million dollars until it’s his best friend, Bubba Wallace.  “It depends on what spot you’re in, or how you feel about somebody, things like that, so me personally, I’m not gonna go send a guy to the hospital over it. If it’s Bubba [Wallace] in front of me I’m wrecking the s— out of him,” he said. Meanwhile, Bubba also admitted that he can wreck Blaney for three million dollars instead of a million dollars.

Wallace also mentioned how even non-points races like the All-Star or The Clash can create grudges that last all season. A bigger purse might just push those grudges even further. And fans know that drama is part of what makes this race so special. Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined the debate, too. Though he disagreed with Hamlin on some points, he strongly supported the push for more prize money. “He (Denny Hamlin) already mad about the damn purse being $1 Million for 30 years,” Junior said on his show. Then he made it crystal clear: “I think that the race should pay $3 million to the winner.”

For Earnhardt, it’s not just about fairness, it’s about recognizing how much the sport and its stars have evolved. The All-Star Race should evolve, too. But how will it happen? NASCAR still has more than 3.5 million dollars on line for multiple events during the All-Star week, but a raise of 100% might be tough for them. NASCAR officials haven’t said anything about it publicly but there is a ray of hope.

Can media rights cover it up for NASCAR?

Despite a total event purse nearing $3.8 million, the winner still only walks away with $1 million. The rest of the pot is spread across the field. Drivers don’t care much about that. Second place barely matters. Everyone’s eyes are on that single payday. But with TV rights money flowing into the sport, many are wondering, why hasn’t NASCAR stepped up? The recent $7.7 billion media rights deal has injected the sport with more than enough capital to raise the stakes. Yet here we are, stuck at 2003 levels. With such a massive media package, NASCAR could infuse more money into the All-Star Race to make it closer to other marquee events.

Kyle Larson and Joey Logano, two of the biggest names in the sport, also support the idea that money matters. Logano said, “I’ve raced for championships, but I race for money. What’s wrong with that? It’s a big piece of it. We’re incentivized to go out there and win, and I don’t see what’s wrong with that. So, this race presents that opportunity.” Larson even suggested skipping part of Indy 500 qualifying just to make the All-Star Race. For a million bucks, maybe. But if the prize grew to $3 million, that choice wouldn’t even be close.

The payout could shift the All-Star Race from just a fun break to a full-on warzone, exactly like the old days. The nostalgia is real. The energy is there. And the hunger from drivers hasn’t faded. But without upping the purse, NASCAR risks making its once-iconic All-Star showcase feel stale. Racing hard for pride and legacy is great, but money always adds an edge. Just ask Waltrip. He didn’t get over 1989 because of the trophy, he was furious about the money. That emotion, that spark, it’s what made the All-Star Race unforgettable. Drivers today are asking NASCAR to bring that fire back.