The 2026 NASCAR All‑Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway delivered a roller‑coaster of action from the very first lap, as a multi‑car wreck on lap two set the tone for a chaotic evening.
A Fiery Start and a Cascade of Crashes
Three former All‑Star winners were caught up in the early incident, and the damage forced several teams into emergency repairs. By the end of the first two 75‑lap segments, more than half of the 36‑car field had been eliminated, including high‑profile names such as Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain.
Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, surged to the front in the final stage, leading the last 30 laps to claim his second All‑Star victory and the $1 million prize. His car held off Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 by 0.887 seconds, sealing a dramatic finish.
The carnage also saw Kyle Larson retire with 60 laps remaining due to a power‑steering failure, while Daniel Suarez managed to advance to the final segment with a damaged car, finishing three laps down. Erik Jones, Austin Dillon and several others escaped the earlier wrecks but were unable to contend for the win.
Looking Ahead to Charlotte
The spectacle now shifts to the Coca‑Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, the longest race of the season. Defending champion Ross Chastain, who is chasing his first victory since his breakout win, will look to capitalize on the lessons learned in Delaware.