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After winning the NASCAR All-Star Race for the third time in the previous five years on Sunday (May 21), Kyle Larson was all in celebrations.
After a 27-year hiatus, the Cup Series made its long-awaited return to North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday. Kyle Larson put forth a dominant performance to win the All-Star Race and collect $1 million.
Hendrick Motorsports won the 11th All-Star Race and Larson celebrated the victory by performing a complete lap of burnouts around the.625-mile course. In the 200-lap, no-points exhibition race, Bubba Wallace came in second, followed by Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, and Chase Elliott.
Kyle Larson celebrated his win with a mill or dollar burnout on track. NASCAR fans were quick to share their reactions on social media.
Despite being used after more than three decades, the patched-up asphalt track at North Wilkesboro Speedway held up rather well during a week of racing action.
The track had mostly been abandoned and become overgrown with weeds. With the aid of Hall of Fame driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and CEO of Speedway Motorsports Marcus Smith, it was repaired in time for NASCAR's 75th anniversary season.
2023 NASCAR All-Star Fan Vote winner: Noah Gragson
The final lineup position in Sunday night's NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway will be filled by Noah Gragson according to the votes of the fans.
"We’ve been voted most popular driver in the trucks and the Xfinity Series, and then to get the fan vote in the Cup Series for this All-Star Race, it means a lot,” Gragson said.
Sharing how hard everyone has been working and expressing his gratitude for the win, Gragson said:
"It means you get an opportunity to race for a million bucks. I know the car’s torn up; we’re working hard to get that back, but you still have an opportunity, and everybody’s been working really hard, campaigning for the fan vote. …"
He added:
"It means a ton to me. It means a ton to be a part of this All-Star Weekend. I know as a little kid in Vegas, going to the NBA All-Star Game and then seeing all the All-Star stuff on TV as a kid, the little kid in me is super-excited.”
Gragson, who drives the No. 42 Chevrolet for Legacy Motor Club, won the All-Star Fan Vote for the first time and will take part in his first All-Star Race.
A driver was eligible for the fan vote if they attempted to qualify for the 2023 Daytona 500. They also shouldn't have yet won a 2023 NASCAR Cup Series race, or placed in the top two of the NASCAR All-Star Open qualifying race. Along with Gragson, the top five vote-getters going into the last weekend were AJ Allmendinger, Aric Almirola, Corey LaJoie, and Ryan Preece.
Since 2004, when Ken Schrader won the first poll, there has been a fan vote. The only fan vote winner to go on to win the All-Star Race was Kasey Kahne in 2008. On the list of winners chosen by fans are Clint Bowyer, Kyle Petty, and Danica Patrick.
