The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race is shaking things up in a big way, and fans won't want to miss a lap of the action. Headed to the legendary "Monster Mile" at Dover Motor Speedway for the very first time, this year's format is one of the most dramatic overhauls we've seen in recent memory. Dover, which hasn't hosted a points-paying NASCAR race since 1968, will instead play host to this all-star showdown—complete with fresh resin applied to the concrete surface to boost grip and create even more intense racing.

So, how exactly will the race work? Let's break it down. Qualifying keeps the fan-favorite three-lap format with a pit stop: drivers run a flying lap, then come in for a four-tire change (no fuel needed), and race back to the line. The fastest total time sets the starting grid, while the quickest, cleanest pit stop wins the Pit Crew Challenge.

For the first time, all 36 chartered cars will take the green flag. The race unfolds in three segments. Segment 1 runs 75 laps with no competition cautions. At the end, the field is inverted: the leader becomes 26th, and the 26th-place driver takes the point. Segment 2 is another 75-lap sprint, again caution-free.

Here's where it gets wild: after Segment 2, ten drivers are eliminated. But 19 drivers are already safe—any full-time competitor who won a race in 2025 or 2026, plus all past series champions running full-time, are locked in. That leaves six spots for the best average finishers from the two segments who aren't yet secure, plus one for the Fan Vote winner. The remaining ten drivers head to the garage, their night over.

The final segment? A no-holds-barred sprint to the finish, with the remaining drivers battling for All-Star glory. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the sport, this format promises edge-of-your-seat drama from start to finish.