2023 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race North Wilkesboro

Cars in field: 24
Pole: Daniel Suarez (99)
Outside pole: Chris Buescher (17)
Open transfer 1: Josh Berry (48)
Open transfer 2: Ty Gibbs (54)
Fan vote entry: Noah Gragson (42)
Stages: – none
Total laps: 200
TV Booth: Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, Clint ‘DrunkDaddy’ Bowyer, Larry McReynolds
Richard ‘The King’ Petty and Darrell ‘DW’ Waltrip give the command to start engines. Ray Everham waves the green flag.

DW is in the tv booth. Hooray. Larry McReynolds and Clint Bowyer are also in the booth. Booo. I’ve very much missed DW. I don’t understand why McReynolds still has a job on television. Clint Bowyer talks entirely too much about everything and nothing. He’s aggravating.

The grandstands look pretty full. Mike Joy mentioned NASCAR’s core fans have turned out for tonight’s race.

On lap 99 of 200 Kyle Larson (5) is 12.444 seconds ahead of the second place car.

Competition caution on lap 100 of 200.

The TV folks are bored with on-track so we’re getting a variety of gimmick shots. The chatter in the booth is better than usual, but basically they’re just driving around in circles as close as the television viewer can see. If there’s actual racing on-track we’re not seeing it. We see the track surface and the bumper of cars and the hood of cars, but no racing.

On lap 136 of 200 Kyle Larson (5) is 2.299 seconds ahead of second position. TV is spending time showing the 5 car driving around by itself. They’re also showing blimp shots that are so far away the cars look like ants. From what I can see it appears the field is strung out single-file.

Now on lap 194 of 200 Kyle Larson (5) is 3.916 seconds ahead of second place.

Kyle Larson easily wins 4.537 seconds ahead of second place finisher Bubba Wallace (23).

What a non-event. Seeing the Hall of Famers was more exciting than the parade masquerading as a race. Even the not-great driver intros was better. The driver intros was okay, but Deangelo Williams was dragging out everybody’s name so you couldn’t really hear the fan response to the various drivers, which is part of the fun. There were a few responses that were clear – the boos for Darrell ‘Bubba’ Wallace (23) and his team owner ‘Desperate’ Denny Hamlin (11). Other than those two most of the reactions were drowned out by Williams.

Jeff Gordon, vice-chairman of Hendrick Motor Sports won the last race at North Wilkesboro in 1996. He is at the race in Kyle Larson’s pit.

The media is making a big deal about winning a million dollars for winning the race. The drivers seem to mostly ignore it or make a joke of it. Makes sense. Most of them make about that much or more per year. They race for trophies and glory and ego. Another million dollars is nice, especially when you will only get a portion of it at most, but it’s obviously not an incentive to race hard and put on a good show.

Motorsport News:

1. 1. 1. Funny Car Veteran Tim Wilkerson Delivers JCM Nitro Team First Career Victory.
      2. Clay Millican Breaksthrough with Chicago Victory.
      3. Jason Daskalos Wins COTA GT America Race No. 2 Under Unusual Circumstances.
      4. Jason Bell, Michael Cooper Win COTA Pirelli GT4 America SprintX Race No. 2.
      5. Goodyear to Change Tire Compound for New Hampshire, Happy With Rain Tire.
      6. Ryan Hunter-Reay Is ‘Re-Energized,’ Looking to Build on Indy 500 Legacy.
      7. Ashton Harrison, Mario Farnbacher Win COTA GT World Challenge America Race No. 2.
      8. Alex Palou Wins Pole for 2023 Indy 500, Graham Rahal Fails to Qualify.
      9. Josh Berry Wins 2023 All-Star Open, Ty Gibbs & Noah Gragson Transfer.
      10. Verstappen unfazed by boos at Miami GP.
      11. Drivers irked by Miami GP intro fanfare.
      12. Miami GP considering switch to night race.
      13. Alpine boss warns of failure ‘consequences’.
      14. Sources: Ricciardo not in line to replace De Vries.
      15. NASCAR streetwear is in. Can fashion take the sport with it?
      16. Lundgaard earns 1st IndyCar pole at Indianapolis.
      17. Palou moves into IndyCar points lead after victory.
      18. North Wilkesboro’s petite pit lane shows how far crew safety has come.
      19. Threat of extreme weather impacts Imola preparations.
      20. De Vries, Tsunoda share stories of Italy flooding.
      21. ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ star lands Indy 500 role.
      22. How NASCAR returned to North Wilkesboro after 26 years of ruin.
      23. F1 to make €1m donation to Italy flood victims.
      24. Rahal row: Dad hopes son stays as RLL struggles.
      25. 500 champ Ericsson stuck in contract stalemate.
      26. Sato posts fastest Indy 500 practice lap since ’96.
      27. McLaren soars on first day of Indy 500 qualifying.
      28. Palou earns pole for Indy 500 with record run.
      29. Rahal bumped from Indy 500 field by .007 mph.
      30. North West 200: Memories of two close racing friends continue to inspire Herbertson.
      31. North West 200: Lee Johnston ‘not critical’ after practice crash.
      32. North West 200: Peter Hickman stayed at event ‘through gritted teeth’ after FHO withdrawal.
      33. MotoGP: Marco Bezzecchi triumphs in France to cut Francesco Bagnaia’s lead.
      34. British Motocross death: Tribute to ‘passionate’ photographer.
      35. Paralysed rider Claire Lomas MBE completes lap at NW200.
      36. North West 200: Lee Johnston ‘on slow road to recovery’ after crash in Supersport practice.
      37. Hamilton interested in “old-school” IndyCar test.
      38. Wickens wants to be first disabled Indy 500 racer next year.
      39. Rain leads to cancellation of Indy 500 opening practice day.
      40. IndyCar’s 2024 hybrid system could be “most effective” on ovals.
      41. Kyle Larson ‘excited and nervous’ over Indy 500 debut next year.
      42. O’Ward: New Indy 500 aero package has “done nothing for racing”.
      43. Ilott to change chassis for Indy 500 as new car “just wasn’t safe”.
      44. Sato: Why being “super-fast” in Indy 500 qualifying can be “way too fast”.
      45. Dixon admits Indy 500 qualifying “compromised” by engine swap.
      46. Inside the intricacies of IndyCar set-up for the Brickyard.
      47. Newgarden admits Penske “fell short” in Indy 500 qualifying.
      48. Rahal squad facing loss of car in last-chance Indy 500 qualifying.
      49. How Indy 500 qualifying works: The two-day system in full.
      50. Graham Rahal bumped from Indy 500 field by team-mate Harvey.
      51. Indy 500: Alex Palou beats Rinus VeeKay to pole by 0.006mph.
      52. Jean-Éric Vergne admits DS Penske can’t make silly mistakes ‘to fight for the championship’.
      53. Jay Penske: “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish”.
      54. Porsche remain ‘capable of fighting for wins’ despite Monaco nightmare.
      55. Tommi Hallman named Extreme E Championship Driver.
      56. Verstappen discusses battle with team-mate Perez: “I think that’s what we like to see, we are free to race”.
      57. FIM’s ban on Russian, Belarusian riders to remain for 2023.
      58. Maximilian Günther: “It’s very hard to accept, being taken out by a competitor”.
      59. Maserati’s James Rossiter Against Formula E’s ‘New Form of Racing’.
      60. Lucas Di Grassi: Late Safety Car ‘Really Hurt Our Chances’.
      61. Fernando Alonso takes third place in Miami: “It’s been a fantastic start to our season”.
      62. Skyler Howes continues recovery after Sonora crash, might avoid surgery.
      63. Wheels on 2024 W2RC Silly Season continue to turn.
      64. Tyler Reddick loses 10 points for Darlington penalty.
      65. Formula 1 Cancels Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Due to Poor Weather Conditions.
      66. Emilia Romagna Cancellation Called to Avoid Creating ‘Extra Burden’ on Italian Authorities – Stefano Domenicali.
      67. Jordan Taylor joins Kaulig for Portland Xfinity.
      68. Shane van Gisbergen set for NASCAR debut at Chicago.
      69. Formula E Announce New CEO Following Jamie Reigle Exit.
      70. Sutton sets new qualifying record at Snetterton to secure pole position.
      71. Kyle Larson wins first NASCAR North Wilkesboro race since 1996.
      72. Carl Edwards Details What He Misses Most About NASCAR.
      73. Darrell Waltrip Returns for Another NASCAR Booth Appearance.
      74. Ross Chastain’s ‘Squeeze’ Move Creates Wild Darlington Ending.
      75. William Byron Gets ‘Redemption’ at Darlington Raceway.
      76. Alex Bowman Hits Important Milestone in Recovery.
      77. Josh Williams Takes On Historic NASCAR Track During 1-Off Start.
      78. Behind the Broadcast: Taking On NASCAR With FOX Sports.
      79. Justin Marks Takes ‘More Active Role’ With Ross Chastain.
      80. Technological Advancements Drive Broadcast Changes for FOX Sports.
      81. Jordan Taylor Makes NASCAR Xfinity Series Debut.
      82. Kyle Larson Lives Out Jeff Gordon’s Dream.
      83. ‘Fast X’ NASCAR Easter Egg Was 1 Year in the Making.
      84. NASCAR Examining New Platform for Xfinity Series: Report.
      85. Chase Elliott Hopes for Patience at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
      86. NASCAR Drivers Celebrate Uncertainty of North Wilkesboro Speedway.
      87. ‘Old Elephant’ Matt Crafton Voices Frustration With Truck ‘Kids’.
      88. NASCAR Makes Cup Series History at North Wilkesboro.
      89. Kevin Harvick Leads His Final Drivers-Only Broadcast.
      90. Michael McDowell Issues Warning To Ty Gibbs.
      91. NASCAR shuffles Canadian Pinty’s Series leadership structure.
      92. Parsons honored as his dream of a revived North Wilkesboro is realized.
      93. 20 years later: The Darlington finish that withstood the test of time.
      94. Newman: “It’s fun to be back and at my favorite racetrack”.
      95. Treyten Lapcevich wins NASCAR Pinty’s Series opener at Sunset.
      96. Carl Edwards: “It’s getting harder and harder” to not race.
      97. Lightning rod, points leader Ross Chastain joins long list of hit-and-run NASCAR racers.
      98. Cup teams ask NASCAR for ‘meaningful’ talks on charters.
      99. Will Denny Hamlin win his own tournament? Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain still alive in quarterfinals.
      100. NASCAR won’t change guidelines on fighting despite driver comments.
      101. Introducing NASCAR’s 2023 Pit Crew Challenge.
      102. North Wilkesboro enjoying near-miraculous revival for NASCAR All-Star Race.
      103. Kyle Busch on William Byron’s rise: ‘I think William is a rare talent’.
      104. Harvick proud, pensive at being reunited with No. 29 for North Wilkesboro.
      105. North Wilkesboro residents turn personal properties into parking spaces amid NASCAR’s All-Star Race.
      106. 37 drivers ran in North Wilkesboro’s last NASCAR Cup race in 1996. Where are they now?
      107. After 27 years, NASCAR returns to once-abandoned North Wilkesboro Speedway for All-Star race.
      108. Triad songwriter to perform at North Wilkesboro Speedway after writing 2009 song about NASCAR’s roots.
      109. Art exhibit in North Wilkesboro showcases NASCAR’s first licensed artist.
      110. Justin Bonsignore denies Ron Silk, claims 10th win at Riverhead Raceway.
      111. Noah Gragson wins 2023 All-Star Fan Vote.
      112. Dustin Stroup fights for 305 race win at Fremont Speedway.
      113. Long: Don’t judge North Wilkesboro’s future off All-Star Race.
      114. All-Star Race post-race inspection complete.
      115. Bubba Wallace’s radio channel accessed after the All-Star Race.
      116. Report: Ferrari preparing $50M offer to lure Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes.
      117. Stefan Wilson hospitalized after Indy crash with Katherine Legge.
      118. Finger wag, no fine, for Bubba Wallace flipping bird.
      119. Pierre Gasly further from race ban with penalty points dropped.
      120. Marc-Antoine Camirand looks to build on first NASCAR Pinty’s Series championship as 2023 season begins.
      121. NASCARs oldest ‘superspeedway’ is steeped in the sport’s history and tradition.
      122. What is the ‘Golden Era’ of NASCAR?
      123. Memory Lane: Former competitors share stories of North Wilkesboro.
      124. ‘We Got You Back’: From the ruins to a revival, North Wilkesboro community embraces racing’s return.
      125. Why North Wilkesboro Means So Little to Many NASCAR All-Stars.
      126. Power takes charge in Monday Indianapolis 500 practice.
      127. 827 days that redefined Kyle Larson’s career.
      128. Legge, Wilson crash heavily in Indy 500 practice.
      129. Ferrari Challenge’s Atlanta weekend draws to a close.
      130. Millican, Wilkerson, Glenn, Herrera win NHRA Route 66 Nationals.
      131. McDowell fuming after All-Star Open run-in with Gibbs.
      132. Foyt finally feeling the ‘Cannon Effect’ at Indianapolis.
      133. The art and science of shipping Hendrick Motorsports’ Garage 56 cars to Le Mans.
      134. ‘We just need to clean up our game’ – Bourdais.
      135. Elliott: ‘Dominant Performances Should Be Celebrated’.
      136. NASCAR’s North Wilkesboro return excited drivers, fans alike.

Next Race: Charlotte

GO 48 & 9!!!!