NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Brad Keselowski wins All-Star Heat Race 1 in dominating fashion

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated May 17, 2025 6:08 PM ET

Brad Keselowski backed up his pole-winning performance in All-Star Race qualifying on Friday by leading 74 of 75 laps in All-Star Heat Race No. 1 on Saturday at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Keselowski was going to be on the pole for Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race regardless of where he finished in the heat, but he flexed his muscle and proved that his qualifying effort was no fluke.

Ross Chastain edged William Byron at the checkered flag, for second, with Ryan Blaney and Alex Bowman rounding out the top-five. Josh Berry, Tyler Reddick, Austin Dillon and Ryan Blaney completed the rest of the field, as Kyle Larson — who is in Indianapolis for Indianapolis 500 qualifying — did not start the race.

Lead the way from the pole. @keselowski wins Heat 1! pic.twitter.com/J3LogOi6UO
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 17, 2025

The results from Heat 1 set the inside lane of the starting lineup for the All-Star Race. Chastain will start third on Sunday, with Byron starting fifth, Blaney starting seventh, Bowman starting ninth, Berry starting 11th, Reddick starting 13th, Dillon starting 15th and Blaney starting 17th.

Heat race 2 — which is slated for a 6:15 p.m. ET start on FS2 — will determine the outside lane of the starting lineup for the All-Star Race. Christopher Bell starts from the pole in Heat 2, with Chase Briscoe joining him on the front row.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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