The NASCAR All-Star Race has long been a stage for high-octane action and intense rivalries. With North Wilkesboro Speedway less than two months from hosting the next chapter in All-Star Race history, are five notable skirmishes that have left an indelible mark on the iconic event:

1. 1987: Dale Earnhardt vs. Bill Elliott vs. Geoff Bodine

The 1987 All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway was only the third iteration of the now-famous race, but it remains easily one of the most unforgettable. A new, three-segment format called for a 10-lap trophy dash to decide the winner, and the drama began before the cars had completed a quarter of a lap. Dale Earnhardt, Geoff Bodine and Bill Elliott locked in a hotly contested battle for the lead on the restart, but Bodine's car was sent spinning — whether it was his fault, Earnhardt's or Elliott's was immaterial; Bodine was livid at being knocked out of contention.

When the smoke cleared and the race resumed, Earnhardt and Elliott engaged in a paint-swapping war of four-wheeled machinery that ultimately led to Elliott's car cutting a tire, Earnhardt keeping the lead and ultimately collecting both the trophy and an extra, post-race hit from Elliott's Ford on what's colloquially known as the "cool-down" lap.

"Bill tried to spin me out twice," Earnhardt said. "I didn't take it."

2. 1989: Rusty Wallace vs. Darrell Waltrip

"That's $200,000 he can choke on," Darrell Waltrip said after his bid for a second All-Star Race victory ended up in smoke when Rusty Wallace's car tagged Waltrip's machine just over a lap from the race's conclusion. Wallace emerged unscathed and roared on to his only All-Star win.

Waltrip, however, was beside himself in the infield. The late contact sparked a heated pit-road confrontation between the two teams, with shoving and punches thrown. If 1987's race hadn't properly highlighted the intense competition that defines the All-Star Race, its running two years later firmly established the event as a showcase of the emotions that can spill over after the checkered flag flies.

3. 2005: Kevin Harvick vs. Joe Nemechek

In the closing laps of Segment 1 of the 2005 All-Star Race, a slight tap from Tony Stewart's car to the left rear of Joe Nemechek's entry sparked a multi-car crash that eliminated several drivers from contention and electrified a sold-out crowd of race fans. Nemechek's out-of-control car collided with Kevin Harvick's, leading to race-ending damage for both cars. Harvick climbed out of his car and went after Nemechek before officials restrained Harvick and kept the fracas from spilling over even further. This incident underscored the aggressive driving and high stakes that are hallmarks of the All-Star Race.

4. 2019: Clint Bowyer vs. Ryan Newman

Tensions boiled over in the 2019 All-Star Race, when Clint Bowyer and Ryan Newman clashed on the track and carried it over after the race. At race's end — which saw Bowyer finishing 13th and Newman 15th — an irate Bowyer jumped from his car, sprinted toward Newman's on pit road and threw multiple punches while Newman was still inside his car. Bowyer was led away by his team, but Newman wasn't done. He chased after Bowyer and gave his side of the story as crew members on both teams convened around the pair.

5. 2024: Kyle Busch vs. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The 2024 All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro was marked by an early incident on Lap 2, when Kyle Busch nudged Ricky Stenhouse Jr., sending Stenhouse into the wall and ending his race prematurely. Due to the track's lack of tunnel access, Stenhouse had to wait until the race concluded to confront Busch. Post-race, Stenhouse approached Busch in the garage area, leading to a heated exchange that escalated when Stenhouse landed a punch in Busch's face. The ensuing brawl involved both teams and resulted in NASCAR fining Stenhouse $75,000 and issuing suspensions to crew members involved.

Why It Matters at North Wilkesboro
With the All-Star Race back at historic North Wilkesboro Speedway, expect that same raw emotion and edge-of-your-seat action. The short track’s tight turns and vintage feel are a perfect backdrop for the next chapter of NASCAR drama.

The takeaway? When the All-Star Race goes green, grudges get settled — and fans love every second of it.

Click here to get your tickets and camping, and witness the next epic moments in person!