Gen 4 Cars Return as AREA Announces Season 8 All-Star Race at Charlotte
June 4th, 2026 —
The stars of AREA are headed back to Charlotte.
AREA officials have announced that the Season 8 All-Star Race will take place on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Charlotte Motor Speedway utilizing the iconic Gen 4 Cup Cars in a special winner-take-all exhibition event.
The event will feature a unique Open format, segment bonuses, a Pole Challenge, and a 100-lap main event designed to reward aggression, strategy, and speed.
Event Schedule
Monday, June 8, 2026
8:15 PM ET
All-Star Open Lobby Opens
9:15 PM ET
All-Star Race Lobby Opens
The event will be broadcast live on AREA’s Twitch channel and Prime Time Racing TV.
Who’s In?
Twenty-two drivers have already secured their place in the All-Star Race by winning an AREA Cup Series, Truck Series, or Pro Series race since the previous All-Star Race.
Locked-In Drivers
Seth Noell
Jake Nichols
Quami Scott
John Hall
James Scioly
Van Drugmand
Dylan Ault
Sebastian Marin
Jeff Wright
Peyton Howell
Zack Kerr
Brian Mercurio
Jeremy Brown
Travis Beckner
Garrett Konrath
Jeremy Miller
Cole Cabre
Jacob Harberts
Alex Chilcutt
Trevor Edwards
Jonathan Evans
Alex McCollum
Former Champions
The following former AREA champions have also received automatic invitations:
David Wiseheart
Michael Kurhan
Brad Slaughter Jr.
The All-Star Open
Drivers not currently qualified who have made at least one start in any AREA Series race during Season 8 will be eligible for the All-Star Open.
The Open lobby will open at 8:15 PM ET and will determine the final three spots in the All-Star Race.
Transfer Spot #1
The driver leading at the Lap 20 caution will automatically transfer into the All-Star Race.
Transfer Spots #2 and #3
Following the Lap 20 caution, the Open will continue through Lap 50.
Up to three Green-White-Checkered attempts will be utilized if necessary.
The top two finishers at the conclusion of the Open will transfer into the All-Star Race.
All Open transfers must start at the rear of the All-Star field and will not be permitted to qualify.
The All-Star Race
The Season 8 All-Star Race will be contested over 100 laps using the Gen 4 Cup Cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Winner Take All
The race winner will earn the $100 winner-take-all purse and claim the title of Season 8 AREA All-Star Race Champion.
The Pole Challenge
The pole winner will have the opportunity to make AREA history.
After qualifying, the pole sitter may elect to forfeit their starting position and start from the rear of the field.
Should they choose to do so and still win the race, the winner-take-all purse will double from $100 to $200.
Segment Bonus Format
Competition cautions will occur at Lap 20 and Lap 50.
The leader at the completion of Lap 20 and the leader at the completion of Lap 50 will earn the front row for the final 50-lap segment, provided they remain on the lead lap.
Lap 20 leader restarts first
Lap 50 leader restarts second
If the same driver leads at both checkpoints:
They will receive a $25 bonus
The second-place driver at Lap 50 will inherit the outside front-row starting position
This format rewards drivers who can dominate portions of the race while ensuring the final 50 laps become a sprint for the All-Star crown.
One Night. No Points. All Glory.
No championship points.
No Chase implications.
No excuses.
Just the best drivers in AREA battling under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway in one of NASCAR’s most iconic race cars.
On Monday, June 8, the Gen 4 era returns for one night only.
Who will become the Season 8 AREA All-Star Champion?