The NASCAR All-Star Race Is Coming to Dover in 2026 – Here’s How to Make It a Full Delaware Weekend

The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race is heading to Dover Motor Speedway for the first time ever – and if you’re thinking about going, you’re already ahead of the pack. But here’s what most fans don’t realize: Dover is only about an hour from one of the East Coast’s best beach towns. That means you don’t have to choose between a race weekend and a beach getaway. You can have both.

We see it every race season at the Canalside Inn. Guests check in for a few days at the beach, drive up to Dover for the action, and come back to Rehoboth for seafood on the boardwalk and a dip in the pool. It’s the kind of trip that turns a great weekend into a memorable one. And with the NASCAR All-Star Race making its first appearance at the Monster Mile on May 17, 2026, this is shaping up to be the biggest race weekend Dover has ever hosted.

Here’s everything you need to know about the event – and how to build the perfect race-and-beach trip around it.

What Makes the 2026 All-Star Race at Dover Such a Big Deal?

This is far more than another stop on the NASCAR schedule. The 2026 All-Star Race marks the first time this event has ever been held on a one-mile oval – and the first time it’s been hosted anywhere in the Northeast. Dover Motor Speedway beat out some serious competition to land this race, and the whole state of Delaware is buzzing about it.

The All-Star Race is different from a regular points race. There’s no championship implications. It’s a pure exhibition – the best drivers in the Cup Series going all-out for a $1 million prize. No strategy games, no playing it safe. Just raw, aggressive racing on one of the toughest tracks in the sport.

Dover’s concrete, high-banked oval has been humbling drivers since 1969. The track earned its nickname – the Monster Mile – because it punishes mistakes and rewards skill. With 24 degrees of banking in the turns and speeds pushing past 160 mph, this is the kind of track where the All-Star format could produce an unforgettable finish.

And the timing couldn’t be better. The race kicks off what Delaware Governor Matt Meyer called a historic stretch for the region, with the FIFA World Cup coming to Philadelphia in June and July, the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, and America’s 250th birthday on July 4. May in Delaware also means mild weather, lower crowds at the beaches, and the start of the summer season.

The Full Weekend Schedule: Three Days of Racing

The All-Star Race on Sunday is the main event, but the whole weekend is packed with action. Dover is running a full tripleheader across all three national touring series:

• Friday, May 15 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (5:00 PM): The trucks are back at Dover for the first time since 2020, and fans have been asking for this return for years. Truck races at the Monster Mile are known for close, physical racing and wild finishes. Kyle Busch leads active drivers with three Truck Series wins here.
• Saturday, May 16 – BetRivers 200 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (4:00 PM): The series formerly known as Xfinity features rising stars and Cup veterans battling on the same track. It’s a great preview of what Sunday’s All-Star Race will look like.
• Sunday, May 17 – NASCAR All-Star Race (3:00 PM): The 42nd running of the All-Star Race. One million dollars on the line. No points, no politics – just the best drivers in the sport going for the win.

Each day’s ticket gives you access to your grandstand seat for all on-track activity once gates open. And here’s a deal for families: kids 12 and under get in free to the Friday and Saturday races with a ticketed adult, and Sunday Cup Series tickets are just $10 for kids.

Beyond the Track: What to Expect in Dover’s Fan Zone

If you’ve never been to a NASCAR race at Dover, the experience goes well beyond what happens on the track. Dover’s Fan Zone is consistently rated one of the best in all of NASCAR, and they’re going big for the All-Star Weekend.

The Fan Zone opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and features free activities for the whole family. Past events have included driver autograph sessions, live concerts, interactive displays, and merchandise tents from every major team. For 2026, Dover has confirmed the return of Miles Beach – a popular beach-themed attraction presented by Visit Delaware that was a huge hit with fans.

One of the most talked-about additions is the return of the world’s largest rubber duck – a 61-foot-tall inflatable that towers over even the 46-foot Miles the Monster monument at Victory Plaza. It’s an absurdly fun photo opportunity, and exactly the kind of thing that makes Dover race weekends feel like a festival rather than just a sporting event.

For fans who want a premium experience, Dover offers several upgraded options:

• The Monster Bundle: Two Sunday tickets in the turns, two pre-race track passes, and a parking space bundled at a discount.
• Winner’s Circle Restaurant: Seats overlooking the Monster Mile’s backstretch with all-you-can-eat buffet and open bar during the race.
• Velocity Suite: All-weekend access to a luxury suite with views of the entire speedway.
• Infield Reserve Camping: The only camping lot inside the oval – formerly used by NASCAR drivers and owners.

A Quick History of the Monster Mile

Dover Motor Speedway opened on July 6, 1969 – just two weeks before the Apollo 11 moon landing. Richard Petty won that first race, the Mason-Dixon 300, leading 150 of 300 laps on a raw asphalt track with barely 7,000 seats. The sport was a different animal back then. So was the track.

Since that day, Dover has hosted more than 100 Cup Series races and earned a reputation as one of the toughest tracks on the circuit. The asphalt surface was replaced with concrete in 1995, making it even faster and harder to tame. Jimmie Johnson holds the all-time record with 11 Cup Series wins at Dover. Jeff Gordon won five times. Mark Martin posted an incredible 33 top-10 finishes here.

The track’s mascot, Miles the Monster, became an icon when the 46-foot fiberglass Monster Monument was installed at Victory Plaza in 2008. The race trophy itself features a monster clutching a crushed stock car – arguably the most distinctive winner’s trophy in all of motorsports.

The 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class has deep ties to Dover as well. Kurt Busch, inducted this year, scored a key victory at the Monster Mile in 2011 during his championship-contending season. Harry Gant won four times at Dover during his remarkable late-career run. Ray Hendrick, known as “Mr. Modified,” found early success at Dover before the track became exclusively NASCAR.

And there’s one piece of Dover history that stands above the rest. On September 23, 2001 – just 12 days after the September 11 attacks – 135,000 fans filled Dover Motor Speedway for what became the largest gathering of Americans in one place since that tragic day. Flags were distributed at the gates, and the emotional pre-race ceremony became one of NASCAR’s most powerful moments.

Why Rehoboth Beach Is the Best Home Base for Race Weekend

Here’s the thing about staying near Dover Motor Speedway: it’s fine. There are hotels around the track and along Route 13. But fine isn’t what you’re looking for when you’re building a weekend trip around one of the biggest sporting events to hit Delaware in years.

Rehoboth Beach is about 45 miles south of the speedway – roughly an hour’s drive on Route 1. That puts you close enough to make it to the track for any session, but far enough away that your evenings are spent on the boardwalk instead of in a hotel parking lot.

May in Rehoboth is one of the best-kept secrets on the East Coast. The summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, so restaurants don’t require hour-long waits, the beach has breathing room, and the whole town has a relaxed energy that’s perfect for unwinding after a loud day at the track.

At the Canalside Inn, we’re right in the middle of downtown Rehoboth, overlooking the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. The boardwalk, the beach, and Rehoboth Avenue’s restaurants and shops are all within walking distance. After a day at Dover, you can come back to the pool, grab dinner at one of Rehoboth’s great restaurants, and fall asleep to the quiet of the canal instead of the rumble of camper generators.

And if you’re bringing a dog? We’re one of Rehoboth’s truly pet-friendly properties. Your four-legged co-pilot is welcome here.

Browse our rooms and book your stay for race weekend at the Canalside Inn. With only 13 rooms, availability goes fast – especially for big event weekends like this one.

Planning Your Trip: The Logistics

Whether you’re driving from Philly, Baltimore, D.C., or further away, here are the practical details for putting this trip together.

Getting Here

The closest commercial airports are Wilmington (ILG), about 45 minutes north of Dover and 90 minutes from Rehoboth, and Philadelphia International (PHL), about two hours from both. Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) is another option at roughly 2.5 hours out. If you’re within driving range, Route 1 runs straight from Rehoboth Beach north toward Dover and connects to major highways heading to Philly, the Delaware Memorial Bridge, and beyond.

Race Day Driving Tips

Traffic on race weekends at Dover is real, so plan ahead. Leave Rehoboth at least 90 minutes before you want to be in your seat – two hours if it’s Sunday. Route 1 North to Route 13 is the most direct path. Dover Motor Speedway sits right along Route 13 (North DuPont Highway), so it’s easy to find. Parking is available on-site for a fee.

Building the Perfect Itinerary

Here’s how we’d plan the week if we were coming in for the full experience:

• Wednesday or Thursday: Arrive in Rehoboth Beach. Settle in, explore downtown, grab dinner on Rehoboth Avenue. Walk the boardwalk. Get your beach time in before the racing starts.
• Friday: Head up to Dover for the Truck Series race at 5:00 PM. Check out the Fan Zone, grab some team merchandise. Drive back to Rehoboth for a late dinner.
• Saturday: Morning at the beach or pool. Head to Dover for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at 4:00 PM. Explore more of the Fan Zone. Back to Rehoboth for the evening.
• Sunday: The main event. Head to Dover early to soak in the pre-race atmosphere – driver introductions, the national anthem, the flyover. The All-Star Race starts at 3:00 PM. Then it’s back to the beach for a victory lap of your own.
• Monday: Sleep in. Leisurely checkout. Maybe a stop in Lewes for brunch on the way out, or a ride on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry if you’re heading north through New Jersey.

Ticket Information and Deals

Dover Motor Speedway offers several ticket options for the All-Star Weekend. Here’s what’s available:

• NASCAR Weekend Pass: Admission to all three days of racing – Truck Series Friday, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Saturday, and the All-Star Race Sunday. This is the best value if you’re planning to attend multiple days.
• Individual Day Tickets: Available for each day separately if you only want to catch one or two races.
• The Monster Bundle: Two Sunday tickets in the turns, two pre-race track passes, and parking in one package.
• Kids Pricing: Children 12 and under are free on Friday and Saturday with a ticketed adult. Sunday is just $10 per child with a ticketed adult in select sections.
• Military and First Responder Discounts: Special pricing through GOVX for military personnel, firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and teachers.

For tickets, camping, and premium experiences, visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com or call 800-441-RACE.

Other Things to Do While You’re in Delaware

If you’re making a full trip out of this, Delaware has more going on than most people realize. A few ideas to round out your week:

• Lewes: Delaware’s first town, just 15 minutes from Rehoboth. Great restaurants, historic downtown, and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal if you want a scenic ride across the Delaware Bay.
• Laps for Charity at Dover Motor Speedway: On May 2 – two weeks before the race – Dover offers fans the chance to drive their own car on the Monster Mile. It’s a fundraiser for nonprofits, and it’s an experience you won’t forget. Additional dates are August 1 and September 27.
• Air Mobility Command Museum: Located at Dover Air Force Base, about six miles from the speedway. Free admission and an impressive collection of military aircraft.
• Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk: A classic East Coast boardwalk with Funland amusement park, Dolle’s saltwater taffy, and dozens of shops and restaurants.
• Cycling the Junction and Breakwater Trail: A 6-mile paved trail connecting Lewes and Rehoboth Beach – perfect for a morning ride before heading to the track.
  
  

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