Thrilling Three-Wide Duel for Lead at All-Star Restart

Brad Keselowski, William Byron, and Kyle Busch treated NASCAR fans to one of the season’s most exciting battles during the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. On May 18, the trio powered off a restart, fanned out three-wide, and charged into the lead.

The fierce competition among these Cup Series leaders had fans cheering in the stands and kept the outcome uncertain with every lap. That evening, the All-Star Race restarted just before the halfway point.

Keselowski, driving the No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford, timed the restart perfectly. Byron pushed his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet hard into the first corner, chasing Keselowski down the inside. For more details on NASCAR’s technical regulations and race procedures, you can explore the NASCAR Official Rulebook.

On the outside, Busch forced his No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet into the mix. With all three cars side-by-side, the battle for the top spot had spectators watching closely, wondering which driver would emerge ahead.

Early in the race, drama started when Daniel Suárez scraped the outside wall and brought out the first caution of the night. His contact showed just how intense and on-edge the event could be.

A few laps later, as teams wrestled for position, a four-car battle for the lead unfolded, setting a tone of aggressive racing for the rest of the evening. Riley Herbst found himself in trouble as well, tagging the outside wall after contact with Michael McDowell, showing that passing at North Wilkesboro isn’t simple. To learn more about the history of North Wilkesboro Speedway, visit Racing-Reference’s track profile.

Keselowski soon managed to regain control, sliding back ahead of both Byron and Busch after their three-wide stint. Strong restarts and quick pit work defined much of the race’s front-running pack, as teams gambled on tire changes and short-run speed.

Drivers were pushing hard for the $1 million winner’s bonus. The lead changed hands several times, but Keselowski’s moves on restarts allowed him to keep putting himself in position, even under heavy pressure from experienced rivals.

The 2025 All-Star Race featured 20 top drivers, all competing for pride and a generous payday. Chasing the big prize, teams took more risks and pushed the limits of strategy and speed.

On-track action included tight racing, several close calls, and abundant wheel-to-wheel battles, especially as the laps wound down. Live coverage aired at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and drew strong television ratings, with thousands on hand at North Wilkesboro for the return to the historic track. For insights into NASCAR’s media coverage and broadcasting trends, check out Sports Media Watch.

The event capped an intense weekend of racing, including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and special fan events at the speedway. The energy from the stands matched the action on the asphalt all night long.

Fans won’t soon forget this All-Star restart, as the three-wide scramble between Keselowski, Byron, and Busch showcased NASCAR’s high-stakes drama and the unique challenge of North Wilkesboro. The 2025 All-Star Race added another memorable chapter to NASCAR’s rich history and set the tone for the rest of the Cup Series season. For more on NASCAR’s historical milestones, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.