After Brad Keselowski secured pole position in qualifying on Friday, the grid lineup for the All-Star Race was determined through two heat races on Saturday. Each heat race had ten drivers, with Heat #1 deciding the inside row and Heat #2 deciding the outside row for the main event. On Sunday, the 18 drivers not locked into the All-Star Race will compete in an ‘Open’ race, with the top-two finishers advancing to the main event.
In Heat #1, Keselowski triumphed, fending off challenges from close competitors and managing tire strategy effectively during the race. Despite fierce battles, drivers like Ross Chastain and William Byron couldn’t overtake Keselowski, securing their positions for the All-Star Race. The competitive heat also saw drivers like Ryan Blaney and Alex Bowman fighting for crucial starting positions on Sunday.
Heat #2 saw Christopher Bell dominating the race from start to finish, with no real challenges to his lead. Bell’s strategy of taking two right-side tires during the competition caution paid off, enabling him to maintain his position and secure a spot in the outside row for the All-Star Race. The race’s lone incident involved Chase Briscoe, who spun after contact from Daniel Suarez, adding a dramatic moment to an otherwise smooth race.
