It has been a horror season so far for Team Penske star Joey Logano. The 2022 Cup Series champion has struggled immensely, one of many Ford drivers to suffer such a fate. At present, he sits outside the postseason cut line. And with more DNFs than top-five finishes, to say this year hasn't lived up to expectations would be an understatement.
Under the bright lights of North Wilkesboro, though, Logano looked like the fresh-faced driver of old.
The No. 22 car returned to victory lane on Sunday, outpacing all those who stood in his path — including Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher and Kyle Larson — to take the checkered flag ... and become $1 million richer.
Logano was dominant from his lead position from the race's opening salvo. He benefitted from his pit crew's ambitious strategy, one which saw him pit just two laps into the contest. Logano's team replaced his primary tires with four optional soft ones.
The result was predictable. Logano looked infallible at the top of the totem pole, outlasting his adversaries despite their best efforts. Short tracks are always a challenge to pass on. With Logano was the front, such a proposition seemed nigh on impossible.
The Sporting News tracked live updates from Sunday's All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. Scroll below for highlights, commentary and more as NASCAR went home to one of its most venerated sites.
STREAM: Watch NASCAR's All-Star race live with Fubo (free trial)
NASCAR All-Star Race live updates, results, highlights from North Wilkesboro
(All times Eastern)
9:54 p.m.: Logano wins the 40th-annual All-Star race. He's back in the win column. And he's $1 million richer for it.
9:51 p.m.: Hamlin down to about .7 seconds. Just eight laps left for the No. 11 to get back into it.
9:49 p.m.: Logano has about a second-long advantage over Hamlin with 13 laps left. Team Penske is sitting pretty as the race nears its conclusion.
9:47 p.m.: Twenty laps to go. Larson is hoping to retain his place in P3. Holding off a menacing challenge from Buescher in fourth.
9:42 p.m.: Larson is up to P3. He's going to have a shot at the gold ... again.
9:41 p.m.: Back to green. Larson is up to P5 with 40 laps left.
9:33 p.m.: The competition caution flies at Lap 150. One final pause for teams to change their fates. At present, it looks like Logano is destined for an All-Star Race title.
9:30 p.m.: It's a three-man weave up top, with Blaney and Hamlin battling for second behind Logano. Numerous possibilities remain, though; Reddick is showing good speed on the long run.
9:26 p.m.: Quiet as it's kept, Kyle Larson — who started the race in last place — is up to P6. Incredible showing thus far given how challenging it is to make passes here at North Wilkesboro.
9:25 p.m.: And we're back to green off of Turn 4.
9:23 p.m.: Suarez and Tyler Reddick pitting. Suarez is opting to put on the primary tires, while Reddick is sporting the soft ones that have brought others so much success tonight.
9:21 p.m.: CAUTION! Gibbs goes sliding after slight contact from Busch. Looks like the No. 54 got a bit loose beforehand. Nevertheless, those who are not fans of Rowdy's racing style will have plenty of ammunition to fire off at his supporters tonight.
9:20 p.m.: Logano did just enough to hold off Hamlin. His place at the top is secure at the moment.
9:19 p.m.: Door-to-door action and we're three-wide at North Wilkesboro! And it's Denny Hamlin who makes a play for the lead! It's getting spicy here!
9:18 p.m.: The green flag ripples once more as we get back to action at North Wilkesboro. Christopher Bell fighting like hell to usurp Logano in P1.
9:10 p.m.: Wallace somehow stayed on the lead lap, outlasting Logano in a battle of wits. His tires held up. Good racing by the two Cup Series veterans, who will join the rest of the field in pit road as this race prepares to shake up.
9:07 p.m.: Wallace doing everything in his power to hold off Logano and keep his spot on the lead lap. He's got nine laps to go before the mandatory caution. Can he hold Logano? Or will he go spiraling?
9:03 p.m.: Michael McDowell gives Logano a bump as he fights to remain on the lead lap. Looks like the No. 22 will get past the No. 34, though.
9:02 p.m.: William Byron into pit road after breaking his toe link on a bump around the bend on Turn 2.
8:58 p.m.: Hamlin gave Suarez a bump around the bend, showcasing his desire to be a little more aggressive during tonight's exhibition race. Will it pay off for him? Only time will tell.
8:54 p.m.: Logano still holding firm at the top of the totem pole at Lap 50. However, he's still using the original tires he sported when the race first kicked off.
8:48 p.m.: Reddick starting to fall off. He's now down to P4.
8:45 p.m.: Already some jostling here at the front. Tyler Reddick, Chris Buescher and Ryan Blaney all battling for Logano's spot as we hit Lap 23.
8:42 p.m.: Back to green here on Lap 10.
8:36 p.m.: And immediately, a wave of drivers head into pit road to change their tires from regular to soft. That could prove useful later.
8:35 p.m.: CAUTION! Ricky Stenhouse Jr. slams into the wall. The No. 47 appeared to have made contact with Kyle Busch, potentially bringing him into the wall on the opening lap. Busch responded in kind, sending Stenhouse spiraling into the wall. Race over for the No. 47. And that was only in the second lap of tonight's race.
To make a statement, Stenhouse parked his disheveled whip in Busch's pit stall. He attempted to make some remarks to Busch's spotter. Will be interesting to see how that went.
8:34 p.m.: And we're off from North Wilkesboro!
8:30 p.m.: The pole sitter for tonight's race is Joey Logano. It's been a long time since someone said that: Logano has struggled immensely during the regular season, sitting outside of the playoff spots in the Cup Series standings.
He'll look for a strong display and a victory to kickstart his campaign. A $1 million pick-me-up wouldn't be too shabby, either.
8:20 p.m.: The pre-race prayer has been spoken. The race is just moments away.
8:01 p.m.: Driver introductions are through. Tonight's race is about to start!
6:20 p.m.: Gibbs wins the All-Star Open. Wallace claims second. Gragson makes it in via fan vote.
6:18 p.m.: Berry trying to find the right lane for himself. He just put together a better lap than Wallace. However, he's got just seven laps to go and .8 seconds to make up.
6:16 p.m.: Some big tires fall off from those riding around the asphalt with the soft tires. 11 laps to go. Gibbs remains in pole position, the same place he's sat in for all 89 laps so far. Wallace is in second, about .7 seconds ahead of third-place Berry.
6:12 p.m.: Berry performs a perfect slide job to displace Bowman for third. Now, he sets his sights on Wallace, who sits about half a second in front of him. 24 laps to go from North Wilkesboro.
6:10 p.m.: We're back to green and it's a doozy here. Gibbs leading the way but plenty of jostling behind him. Wallace, Bowman, Josh Berry and Chase Briscoe all involved. Gragson not too far away. Just 31 laps remaining. Remember, first two drivers qualify for tonight's All-Star race. It makes sense why these drivers are racing so hard.
6:04 p.m.: CAUTION! Back to green but we immediately return to the canary disposition. Cindric goes spiraling after getting squeezed by Noah Gragson and Carson Hocevar.
6:00 p.m.: Bowman takes two spots on pit road while Wallace falls away by a spot. Looks like Wallace's team mixed up his tires coming out of pit road. He's got both the normal and soft tires on. He'll have to come back in and get his situation rectified. Another pit road faux pas from 23XI Racing. Who would've thunk it?
5:58 p.m.: CAUTION! Fairly smooth first half of the All-Star Open. Stalls are now open and the cars should start streaming in for pit stops in the next few minutes.
5:52 p.m.: Gibbs and Wallace still impressing at the front, sitting in P1 and P2, respectively, after 35 laps. Cindric and Bowman are not too far behind, although the gap is starting to grow a little wider. Remember, folks: there is a mandatory caution flag for pit stops at 50 laps. Will be interesting to see if Wallace's team can string together a fairly steady showing on pit road. 23XI isn't always known for stability when it comes to pit strategy.
5:43 p.m.: We're off from the NASCAR All-Star Open. A series of prominent names taking part in today's competition, which will determine the final two qualifiers in this year's All-Star Race. Ty Gibbs and Bubba Wallace holding firm in the front row, while Austin Cindric and Alex Bowman will be offering bump from behind them. One lap down, 99 more to go!
What channel is NASCAR on today?
- TV channel: FS1 (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
- Live stream: FoxSports.com, Fubo
- Radio: MRN
Sunday's race will be broadcast on FS1 in the United States. Canadian viewers can find it on TSN5.
Veteran broadcaster Mike Joy will lead the telecast as the race's lap-by-lap announcer. He'll be joined in the booth by Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick.
Cord-cutters can follow the action on FoxSports.com, as well as with Fubo, which offers a free trial.
NASCAR start time today
- Date: Sunday, May 19
- Time: 5 p.m. ET (Open) | 8 p.m. ET (All-Star Race)
The listed start time for the NASCAR All Star Race is 8 p.m. ET, but the green flag is scheduled to be dropped at 8:14 p.m. ET. Fans can get an early racing fix by tuning in to the All Star Open at 5 p.m. ET. The Open will help to complete the field for the All-Star Race.
All-Star Race 2024 starting lineup
| Pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 2 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | RFK Racing |
| 3 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 4 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 5 | Chris Buescher | 17 | RFK Racing |
| 6 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 7 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 8 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 9 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 10 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 12 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 13 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 14 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 15 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 16 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 17 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 18 | All-Star Open winner | ||
| 19 | All-Star Open runner-up | ||
| 20 | Online vote winner |
All-Star Open lineup at North Wilkesboro
Before the All-Star Race, the drivers who are not already locked into the main event will race for the remaining open spots. The starting order for this race was determined Friday through a pit crew competition.
There are 20 drivers that will race in the All-Star Open. Here's a look at the lineup for that field:
| Pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 2 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 3 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 4 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 5 | Noah Gragson | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 6 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 7 | Josh Berry | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 8 | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 9 | John H. Nemechek | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 10 | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 11 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 12 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 13 | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 14 | Daniel Hemric | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 15 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 16 | Justin Haley | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 17 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 18 | Kaz Grala | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 19 | Zane Smith | 71 | Spire Motorsports |
| 20 | Timmy Hill | 66 | Power Source |