Regardless of a revamped format that inverted the top-26 drivers after the opening 75-lap stint and re-racked the sphere for the ultimate 200 laps on Sunday, the “Monster Mile” was no match for Denny Hamlin as soon as once more.
Whereas Hamlin dominated and held off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe by 0.887 seconds to win the All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway, it was a race that felt removed from what the exhibition race for $1M was designed for.
Listed here are three takeaways from Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race.
NASCAR misses the mark with new format
A part of what used to make the All-Star Race really feel particular was the truth that solely the winners from earlier and present seasons had been locked into the occasion, in addition to previous All-Star Race winners and former Cup Collection champions who’re at the moment full-time.
On Sunday, all 36 drivers took the inexperienced flag for a pair of 75-lap segments, with the highest 26 being inverted for the second 75-lap run. A crash on Lap 2 instantly pressured Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney behind the wall as Ryan Preece, who was not already locked into the 200-lap finale, caught hearth after a tough crash.
