NASCAR's biggest star says its All-Star Race has a glaring problem

Chase Elliott is a NASCAR Cup Series champion and the sport's most popular driver. He believes NASCAR's 2026 All-Star race at Dover this weekend has a major problem. 

"I would say it feels the least like an All-Star weekend than it ever has in my career," Elliott said Friday at Dover, per Kelly Crandall. "I don't know if it's because I'm just not used to having an All-Star race here. It feels like an October race weekend almost with the weather today."

Elliott won the 2020 All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, then went on to win the 2020 Cup Series title. He's won two races so far in 2026 and is third in the series standings going into the Coke 600 on May 24. 

Sunday's All-Star Race will be a 350-lap affair, only 50 laps shy of the typical 400-lap, 400-mile Dover race that is usually on the NASCAR calendar. All 36 full-time drivers will also start the race, with the field being chopped down to 26 after 150 laps.