DOVER, Del. — The NASCAR Cup Series takes a break from points-paying competition this weekend as the sport heads to Dover Motor Speedway for the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race.
With the unique new format creating uncertainty throughout the field, predicting a winner may be more difficult than usual — but several drivers stand out entering the weekend.
The clear favorite for many is Denny Hamlin. The 2015 All-Star Race winner has been exceptional at Dover in the Next Gen era, becoming the only driver to win multiple Cup races at the track since the car’s debut with victories in 2024 and 2025. Hamlin’s ability to manage tire wear and long green-flag runs at the “Monster Mile” makes him one of the toughest drivers to beat this weekend.
Of course, no conversation about Dover favorites is complete without Kyle Larson.
Larson, a three-time All-Star Race winner, owns the best average finish of any track on the schedule at Dover with a remarkable 7.9 average finish. Adding to his case, Larson has won at every track that the All-Star Race has rotated to during his career. His aggressive style and comfort against the concrete walls make him an obvious contender for the million-dollar prize.
Another driver to watch closely is Chase Elliott. The 2020 All-Star Race winner captured the first Next Gen race at Dover in 2022 and dominated much of last year’s event, leading 238 laps before late-race circumstances kept him out of Victory Lane. Elliott’s recent Dover speed suggests he could once again be one of the strongest cars in the field.
Meanwhile, defending All-Star Race winner Christopher Bell may have unfinished business at Dover. Bell arguably had one of the fastest cars in last year’s race before getting caught up in two separate spins that dropped him to a 13th-place finish.
With the event’s new multi-segment format, inversion rules, and elimination element, strategy could play just as large a role as outright speed.
So the question entering the weekend becomes: will powerhouse organizations like Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing claim another All-Star victory — or will the unpredictable format open the door for someone else to steal the spotlight and the million-dollar payday?
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