CONCORD, N.C. -- The last time Kyle Larson was at a NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, he was celebrating in victory lane. Two years later, he will try to earn his second All-Star Race when the event heads to Texas Motor Speedway for the first time this Sunday.
The format for this year’s race will present scenarios that aren’t in a regular Cup race. The 100-lap race will be broken into six stages, or rounds. The first four stages are 15 laps, the fifth stage is 30 laps and the final stage is 10 laps. Only green-flag laps will count. The field will be inverted after each round through the fourth segment, then there is a mandatory four-tire pit stop during round five for the pit crew challenge. The final round will be a 10-lap shootout.
While having an All-Star win under his belt normally would be helpful if it was a traditional layout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Larson said it’s nearly impossible to prepare for this year’s exhibition race.
“I don’t think you can take any note,” he said. “It’s a different format, different racetrack, different package, so nothing that I remember will be the same. (We) just need to go out there, hopefully have a fast car and pass anyone in front of you.”
The 28-year-old driver has been on a tear over the last month on the racetrack. He posted three runner-up results before taking the checkered flags at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Sonoma Raceway two weeks in a row. Larson is keeping his attitude and strategy the same for the fun exhibition race, even though it’s not a points-paying event.
“I think you approach it like every race and try to win the next one,” he said. “I think if you still can just pass cars and be up front, you can put yourself in a position to get another big win.”
Even with the unique formatting for this year’s race, Larson doesn’t seem worried about potentially starting from the rear of the 21-car field. When he won the $1 million prize in 2019, Larson had to race his way into the event via the Open before he led the final 13 laps to capture the victory.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win the All-Star Race before,” Larson said. “I would love to go get my second one and get a huge paycheck.”
The All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway will begin Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.