Full Breakdown
Denny Hamlin Wins Second All-Star Race as Dover’s Treacherous Conditions Eliminate Half the Field
5/18/2026, 5:17:25 AM
Race Summary
The 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race debuted at Dover Motor Speedway’s 1-mile “Monster Mile.” Over 200 laps and a $1 million prize, Denny Hamlin started from pole, avoided eight cautions that involved 23 of the 36 starters, and led a race-high 103 laps, including the final 30, to beat teammate Chase Briscoe by 0.887 seconds. The event’s inverted field after the first 75-lap segment created early chaos, contributing to a lap-2 multi-car wreck that knocked out former All-Star winners Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott. Elliott and Ross Chastain were later eliminated when their damaged cars could not be repaired, as backup cars are prohibited. The final segment started with 26 cars, many running with compromised equipment.
Data & Statistics
- Total laps: 200
- Prize: $1 million
- Cautions: 8 (affecting 23 drivers)
- Drivers locked into final dash: 19
- Hamlin’s laps led: 103 (including final 30)
- Margin of victory: 0.887 seconds
- Notable crash: 9-car incident on lap 2, including a fiery impact by Ryan Preece’s No. 60 Ford
- Hamlin’s age: 45 (second-oldest All-Star winner)
Official Reactions
Hamlin praised his team’s speed, noting that a fast car simplified traffic navigation. Briscoe highlighted the crew’s ability to rebuild a heavily damaged car after a practice wall impact. Elliott called the early wrecks “pretty wild” and expressed regret for staying in the race longer than advisable. Chastain reflected on the team’s execution of the first stage, noting improved handling under the current downforce package. Preece issued an apology for his role in the lap-2 crash, attributing it to a misjudged entry into Turn 1.
Criticism & Opposition
Both Hamlin and Chastain raised concerns about the race’s invert format and the new downforce package. Hamlin said the inversion “caused some chaos” and eliminated competitive cars, while Chastain suggested that, although handling has improved, the downforce changes still leave room for further development.
On-the-Ground Account
Eyewitnesses reported Preece’s No. 60 Ford slamming into the outside wall, erupting in flames before he exited uninjured. The early pileup set a tone of high attrition that persisted throughout the event.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It makes it a lot easier when you've got a car this fast,” — Denny Hamlin, driver, No. 11 Toyota
- “It was obviously a really fast car,” — Chase Briscoe, driver, No. 19 Toyota
- “I hate to get caught up in that. I knew better. I saw it getting crazy. I should have bailed.” — Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion
- “Bummer, because we thought we executed that first stage really well,” — Ross Chastain, driver
What’s Next
The next marquee event is the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, where drivers will look to rebound from Dover’s attrition-filled showdown.
