Chase Elliott has shared his thoughts on NASCAR hosting the 2026 All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway for the first time. In an interview with renowned NASCAR journalist Kelly Crandall, the Hendrick Motorsports star admitted that the All-Star weekend at Dover has not carried the same special atmosphere typically associated with the exhibition race.
NASCAR shifted the All-Star Race to Dover Motor Speedway for this year’s edition. The $1 million-to-win exhibition event, which traditionally ran at North Wilkesboro Speedway (2023–2025), made its debut at the one-mile-long oval track this weekend.
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During media availabilities on Friday afternoon, Chase Elliott spoke about All-Star Race action at Dover, stating the overall vibe around “The Monster Mile” has felt unusually normal compared to previous All-Star weekends throughout his career. He further explained that the high-banked, one-mile track and its typical May weather gave the event the vibe of a normal points race.
Here’s what Elliott said:
“This feels like a normal weekend. It feels like a normal weekend. I would say this feels the least like an All-Star weekend that we’ve ever had in my career. I don’t know if it’s just because I’m not used to having an All-Star Race here but this feels like an October weekend, almost, with the weather today being cooler and whatnot. It reminds me of the old fall weekend more than anything else.”
“But yeah, I’m sure as we get closer to Sunday it might feel a little bit more like an All-Star weekend but right now, this feels like a totally normal Dover points race” he continued.
How has Chase Elliott performed at Dover Motor Speedway?
Chase Elliott has tasted success at Dover Motor Speedway. The #5 HMS driver has recorded two wins, one pole, 10 top-5s, and 11 top-10 finishes with an average finish of 9.3 in 15 starts. He is the favorite in the odds table to win again at “The Monster Mile.”
The #9 HMS driver has been going through an impressive 2026 NASCAR Cup Series campaign with two wins, five top-5s, and seven top-10 finishes with an average finish of 10.1 through 12 races. He stands third in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings with 145 points behind points leader Tyler Reddick.
Watch Chase Elliott in action at Dover on Saturday during Qualifying and All-Star Pit Crew Challenge at 12 pm ET on FS1.
Edited by Yash Soni
