The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race is already bringing major changes, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes NASCAR still has not fixed the event’s biggest problem. Ahead of this weekend’s NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover International Speedway, the NASCAR Hall of Famer called for a bold new format that would include drivers from all three national NASCAR series.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said the NASCAR All-Star Race should become harder to enter while creating more action on the track. NASCAR recently announced a new segment-based NASCAR All-Star Race format with qualifying changes and field inversions.
Even with those updates, Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes NASCAR can do more to make the exhibition race feel special again and give fans something they do not normally see during the regular NASCAR season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wants a Multiclass NASCAR All-Star Race
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said NASCAR should open the NASCAR All-Star Race to drivers from the Craftsman Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and Cup Series.
“You could tighten up the restrictions on how you get into the All-Star Race. You could have all three, Truck, O’Reilly, and Cup, in the race. It makes getting into the race a challenge… invite only.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained that slower vehicles from the lower NASCAR series could create traffic problems and force Cup Series stars to adapt during the race.
“Slower cars create unique challenges,” he added.
The proposal would create a multiclass NASCAR All-Star Race, something NASCAR fans rarely see in stock car racing. Cup drivers would need to work through slower traffic while Truck and Xfinity drivers compete against some of the biggest names in NASCAR.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has often called for NASCAR changes involving schedules, racing formats, and car rules. His latest comments quickly sparked debate about whether NASCAR should take bigger risks with the NASCAR All-Star Race.
New NASCAR All-Star Race Format Leaves Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wanting More
NASCAR already announced a new NASCAR All-Star Race format for the 2026 event at Dover International Speedway.
Instead of using the traditional All-Star Open race, NASCAR will use qualifying to set the field for the opening 75-lap segment of the 350-lap NASCAR All-Star Race.
“According to NASCAR officials, in place of an All-Star Open, qualifying results will instead determine the full field for Segment 1, a 75-lap sprint as part of the 350-lap event.”
After Segment 1, NASCAR will invert the top 26 finishers for another 75-lap stage.
“The lineup for Segment 2 will be an inversion of Segment 1’s top 26, with the remaining drivers lined up by finish, NASCAR stated.”
The last 200-lap segment will feature 26 drivers. NASCAR announced that the field will include race winners from the 2025 and 2026 Cup Series seasons, former full-time Cup champions, a fan vote winner, and other drivers determined by combined results from earlier stages.
Why Dale Earnhardt Jr. Thinks NASCAR Must Change the NASCAR All-Star Race
The NASCAR All-Star Race has changed formats many times over the years as NASCAR searches for ways to improve the event and increase fan interest. Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes the current NASCAR All-Star Race still lacks the unpredictability that made older versions memorable.
Supporters of the multiclass idea believe it could create dramatic moments, including strategy battles, heavy traffic, and surprise performances from Truck and Xfinity drivers. Critics have raised concerns about safety and the challenges of running different NASCAR series on the same track.
The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Dover.
Even so, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s comments added fresh attention to the NASCAR All-Star Race and raised new questions about what NASCAR should do next to improve one of its biggest exhibition events.
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