Bell's Big Bucks

Christopher Bell celebrates winning the 2025 NASCAR All Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (Photo: David Jensen/Getty Images)

All Star Race:

Christopher Bell won the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway; his first win in the All Star race. Bell had speed all weekend and was a routine contender throughout the night that Joey Logano dominated. Bell took advantage of the promoter's caution near the end of the 250 lap main event, threw on two fresh right side tires and powered his way into second place rapidly. It did take him a handful of laps to chase down Logano, but once he did that it was a hard fought battle for the top spot. Bell and Logano put on some impressive race craft lap after lap until Bell bested Logano and took the lead. At that point, and without another caution, Bell set sail for the checkered flag and a million dollar payday.

Overall, I was impressed with the race. I did hate how Logano was able to dominate, but that was more on race craft and not having a full field as opposed to sheer speed. Plus, he had several fierce competitors from the once he snagged the lead. And at times, it looked like it was (and it was I'm sure) difficult to pass, but drivers still could pass. The speeds were, as they have been with the Gen7 car, still too close together amongst the field and I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the tires that Goodyear brought to the race, but their wear was sufficient enough to make an impact on the racing. Although I do hope Goodyear and NASCAR work to at least soften up the left sides to have more of an impact on the racing. However, all things considered, the tires wore enough, there was strategy throughout the field most of the day, and multiple grooves, and that put on a solid race. 18 lead changes, hard fought battles, and a star powered showdown for the big payday. While there can be (and should be) changes to the car and tires to make the racing better, I loved all 250-laps of the 2025 All Star Race and do hope to see the Cup Series back at North Wilkesboro for either the All Star Race or a points race in 2026. Just as long as we don't do the hokey jokey part of the Promoter's Caution ever again anywhere, and as long as Joey Logano can stop complaining about drivers racing hard just like he would for the win. We leave those two embarrassing laughable moments behind, bring me back to North Wilkesboro once a year for the foreseeable future.

Next up we head to the Charlotte Motor Speedway with all three series back in action this weekend at what is considered most teams' home track. The racing kicks off this weekend with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. EST on FS1 with the NC Education Lottery 200. The Xfinity Series returns from a two week hiatus on Saturday afternoon with the BetMGM 300 at 4:30 p.m. EST on The CW. And the NASCAR Cup Series headlines the weekend with one of her crown jewels, the Coca-Cola 600 at 6 p.m. EST Sunday on Amazon Prime.

Charlotte Picks:

Trucks = Kyle Busch

Xfinity = Austin Dillon

Cup = Ryan Blaney