The NASCAR Cup Series is roaring back to North Wilkesboro Speedway this Sunday for the 2025 All-Star Race. One of the most anticipated nights on the NASCAR calendar, this event gathers some of the sport’s biggest names for a no-holds-barred showdown under the lights. Twenty-three drivers will take on the historic 0.625-mile short track, with one goal in mind: a $1 million prize. It’s a night where experience, grit, and short-track mastery collide.
Before the main event begins at 8 p.m. ET, fans will be treated to a full day of racing and music. The All-Star Open at 5 p.m. will decide the final three drivers added to the main field. But racing isn’t the only draw. A lineup of country music stars and NASCAR legends is joining the festivities throughout the weekend. From acoustic sets to grand marshal appearances, All-Star weekend has become as much a celebration of culture as it is competition.
However, one of the most treasured pre-race traditions remains untouched: the singing of the national anthem. Before engines fire, the Star-Spangled Banner brings fans and drivers to their feet. This year, the honor belongs to rising country star and former The Voice contestant Presley Barker. But who is this young talent from North Carolina? Let’s get to know the artist who’s proudly singing for his home crowd on Sunday night.
Meet Presley Barker: A country prodigy who hits the big stage!
Five days ahead of the NASCAR All-Star Race event at North Wilkesboro, Presley Barker made the announcement of his honors. In a heartfelt social media post, he wrote, “Honored to be performing our National Anthem this weekend at the North Wilkesboro Speedway NASCAR ALL-STAR Race on Sunday, 5/18! See y’all there!” That simple statement carried a deep sense of pride. Barker is no stranger to the national stage, and his return to North Wilkesboro marks a full-circle moment for the 20-year-old bluegrass prodigy.
Born and raised in Traphill, North Carolina, Barker grew up surrounded by the Appalachian sound. At just 10 years old, he stunned seasoned musicians when he won the adult guitar competition at the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, Virginia. By 13, he had already collected top prizes in some of the most respected acoustic guitar contests in the region. His mentor, master luthier Wayne C. Henderson, gifted him a hand-built dreadnought, a guitar valued in the tens of thousands, for winning one of these events. That instrument remains Barker’s primary guitar today.
Barker built his reputation on speed and precision in guitar picking, but in recent years, he has shifted his focus to singing and songwriting. His 2021 singles, “Time Machine” and “Middle of Somewhere,” fuse classic country with traditional bluegrass. He draws heavy influence from legends like Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Merle Haggard, and George Strait. His sound blends nostalgia with fresh energy, earning him a loyal following among NASCAR fans and country music enthusiasts alike.
Notably, this won’t be Barker’s first time behind the mic at a NASCAR event. He has performed the national anthem at the Raptor King of Tough 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In December 2024, he took the stage at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas during Round 9, where his stirring performance aired on The Cowboy Channel. He also sang the anthem ahead of the Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro in 2024, making this year’s return to the same venue even more meaningful.
Presley’s presence this weekend adds a personal, local flavor to an already emotional tradition. As a former contestant on American Idol and The Voice, Barker’s national recognition is growing. Yet, he remains grounded in his Carolina roots. Sunday night, as fireworks prepare to light up the sky and engines rumble, his voice will carry through the stands, reminding everyone what this race and this country mean to those who live and breathe NASCAR.
Timing and Format Changes for the All-Star Race & All-Star Open
The 2025 NASCAR All-Star weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway will showcase not only intense racing but also a refreshed format and updated timing. Sunday’s events will be split into two main races, the All-Star Open and the All-Star Race, each with their own structure and purpose. 100-lap qualifying All-Star Open race begins at 5 p.m. ET. It gives one final chance for drivers not already locked into the main event to claim a spot.
The top two finishers will earn automatic entries into the All-Star Race. A third spot will go to the winner of the fan vote. A caution is scheduled at Lap 50, and only one overtime attempt will be allowed if necessary. Meanwhile, the headliner, the All-Star Race, starts at 8 p.m. ET, with 250 laps on the tight 0.625-mile oval. All laps will count. There will be a competition break around Lap 100. Additionally, a promoter’s caution is required before Lap 220 unless a natural caution occurs after Lap 200. This means teams must plan strategies carefully for potential restarts. Overtime rules will apply, and there could be multiple attempts if the finish comes under caution.
The 2025 event introduces the Manufacturer Showdown, pitting Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota against each other. Teams are scored based on the sum of finishing positions. The lowest total wins. In a tie, the best overall finish decides the winner. This new layer adds brand pride and strategy to an already dramatic race night. With a full day of action, entertainment, and a national anthem performance that promises to stir the soul, the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race is shaping up to be an unforgettable night at North Wilkesboro.
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