The eligibility criteria for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race:
· Drivers who have won NASCAR Sprint Cup races in the current and preceding year. If a driver leaves a team with which he has won a race, he or she remains eligible (through the last race before the all-star race), however, the team does not
· Drivers who are past NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winners in the past 10 years
· Drivers who are past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions in the last 10 years
· The top two finishers in the Sprint Showdown, the 40-lap race that precedes the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
· The top Sprint Fan Vote driver who finishes on the lead lap of the Showdown and whose car is in "raceable" condition as determined by the series director

To be eligible for the Sprint All-Star Fan Vote (and the Sprint Showdown), drivers must be approved by NASCAR for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition and have met all other eligibility requirements. Those requirements include finishing in the Top 50 of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship point standings; competing in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Event during the 2013 season; or attempting to qualify for the 2013 Daytona 500.

TV graphic mistake leads to fan confusion: A television graphic incorrectly showed #48-Jimmie Johnson should have entered pit road 11th instead of fourth on the mandatory four-tire stop before the final segment of Saturday night's Sprint All-Star Race. It started a social media outcry for those who didn't know the facts. It grew louder when Johnson left pit road second. It grew even louder when the five-time Sprint Cup champion won for the second straight year and a record fourth time overall, breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt and future Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon. "People just want to hate," Johnson said with a laugh inside the media center at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "That's fine. I'm just lucky. NASCAR rigs the races and whatever they want to believe. I'm going home with a cool trophy and a big check and we all really know what happened. So whatever."(ESPN)
NOTE: Johnson coming in 4th for the pitstop was correct, see the averages of the four segments and the order of pit road entry below.(5-19-2013)

Johnson win All-Star race: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, for his 4th All-Star race win. Johnson finished 15th, 5th, 3rd & 3rd in the four segments which meant he had the 4th best average finish of the drivers, so he went in 4th for the madatory 4-tire pit stop before the fifth and final segment, #5-Kahne came out 1st, followed by Johnson, #18-Busch, #22-Logani and #78-Busch. #78-Busch won segments 1 & 4 and led 29 laps and #18-Busch won segments 2 & 3 and also led 29 laps. Johnson led 10 total laps, all of the final segment. Johnson now has the most All-Star wins of any driver with 4.
#22-Logano finished 2nd, followed by #18-Busch, #5-Kahne, #78-Busch, #11-Hamlin, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #1-McMurray (the Showdown winner), #20-Kenseth and #99-Edwards.(5-18-2013)

Sprint All-Star Race Notes:
#48-Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, his record breaking fourth victory in 12 starts in the annual non-points race
Johnson broke a tie for the all-time all-star race wins lead with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt. Johnson also won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in 2003, 2006 and 2012.
Johnson becomes the second driver to win back-to-back all-star races. The first was Davey Allison in 1991-92.
This is Johnson's eighth top-five finish in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
#22-Joey Logano finished a career-best second in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. This is his third top 10 in three all-star race starts.
#18-Kyle Busch finished third, his third consecutive top-five finish in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. (NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(5-18-2013)

Sprint All-Star Race Results (pdf) for race winnings, laps led and more race info

Sprint All-Star Penalty Report (pdf)

Final Results for the Sprint All-Star Race:
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson(18), Lowe's Patriotic Chevy, 90 laps, 10 laps led
2) #22-Joey Logano(5), Pennzoil Ford, 90 laps
3) #18-Kyle Busch(4), Snickers Bites Toyota, 90 laps, 29 laps led
4) #5-Kasey Kahne(9), Farmers Insurance Chevy, 90 laps, 11 laps led
5) #78-Kurt Busch(2), Furniture Row/Sealy Chevy, 90 laps, 29 laps led
6) #11-Denny Hamlin(7), FedEx Express Toyota, 90 laps
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(15), National Guard Chevy, 90 laps
8) #1-Jamie McMurray(20), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 90 laps
9) #20-Matt Kenseth(16), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 90 laps
10) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 90 laps
11) #29-Kevin Harvick(19), Rheem/Budweiser Chevy, 90 laps
12) #24-Jeff Gordon(10), Cromax Pro Chevy, 90 laps
13) #39-Ryan Newman(11), Aspen Dental Chevy, 90 laps
14) #14-Tony Stewart(13), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 90 laps
15) #16-Greg Biffle(3), 3M Filtrete Ford, 90
16) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(21), Best Buy Ford, 90 laps
17) #9-Marcos Ambrose(17), DeWalt Ford, 90 laps
18) #15-Clint Bowyer(6), 5-hour Energy Toyota, 90 laps, 11 laps led
19) #34-David Ragan(14), CSX - Play it Safe Ford, 90 laps
20) #10-Danica Patrick(22), GoDaddy Chevy, 90 laps
21) #55-Mark Martin(8), Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota, 87 laps, out
22) #2-Brad Keselowski(12), Miller Lite Ford, 2 laps, transmission

Average Finish after the four segments of the Sprint All-Star Race:
at the end of the 4th segment, drivers wnt on to pit road in order of aveage of all 4 segments
1) #78-Kurt Busch(2), 1st, 4th, 2nd, 1st = 8, 2.0 average
2) #18-Kyle Busch(4), 2, 1, 1, 4 = 8, 2.0 ave
3) #5-Kasey Kahne(9), 5, 6, 6, 2 = 19, 4.75 ave
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson(18), 15, 5, 3, 3 = 26, 6.5 ave
5) #22-Joey Logano(5), 9, 7, 5, 7 = 28, 7.0 ave
6) #15-Clint Bowyer(6), 3, 2, 13, 10 = 28, 7.0 ave
7) #99-Carl Edwards(1), 4, 3, 15, 9 = 31, 7.75 ave
8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(15), 10, 10, 4, 11 = 35, 8.75 ave
9) #11-Denny Hamlin(7), 8, 9, 7, 14 = 38, 9.5 ave
10) #24-Jeff Gordon(10), 7, 11, 10, 12 = 40, 10.0 ave
11) #1-Jamie McMurray(20), 11, 8, 8, 13 = 40, 10.0 ave
12) #29-Kevin Harvick(19), 18, 12, 9, 6 = 45, 11.25 ave
13) #20-Matt Kenseth(16), 17, 15, 11, 5 = 48, 12.0
14) #39-Ryan Newman(11), 12, 14, 12, 15 = 53, 13.25 ave
15) #16-Greg Biffle(3), 6, 13, 14, 21 = 54, 13.5 ave
16) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(21), 16, 18, 17, 8 = 59, 14.75 ave
17) #14-Tony Stewart(13), 13, 16, 18, 18 = 65, 16.25 ave
18) #55-Mark Martin(8), 14, 19, 16, 17 = 66, 16.5 ave
19) #9-Marcos Ambrose(17), 19, 17, 19, 16 = 71, 17.75 ave
20) #34-David Ragan(14), 20, 20, 20, 20 = 80, 20.0 ave
21) #10-Danica Patrick(22), 21, 21, 21, 19 = 82 = 20.5 ave
22) #2-Brad Keselowski(12), out, transmission
(tie breaker goes to driver who finished highest in 4th segment)

Segment 4 results for the Sprint All-Star Race:
1) #78-Kurt Busch(2), Furniture Row/Sealy Chevy, 80 laps, 29 laps led
2) #5-Kasey Kahne(9), Farmers Insurance Chevy, 80 laps, 11 laps led
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson(18), Lowe's Patriotic Chevy, 80 laps
4) #18-Kyle Busch(4), Snickers Bites Toyota, 80 laps, 29 laps led
5) #20-Matt Kenseth(16), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 80 laps
6) #29-Kevin Harvick(19), Rheem/Budweiser Chevy, 80 laps
7) #22-Joey Logano(5), Pennzoil Ford, 80 laps
8) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(21), Best Buy Ford, 80 laps
9) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 80 laps
10) #15-Clint Bowyer(6), 5-hour Energy Toyota, 80 laps, 11 laps led
11) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(15), National Guard Chevy, 80 laps
12) #24-Jeff Gordon(10), Cromax Pro Chevy, 80 laps
13) #1-Jamie McMurray(20), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 80 laps
14) #11-Denny Hamlin(7), FedEx Express Toyota, 80 laps
15) #39-Ryan Newman(11), Aspen Dental Chevy, 80 laps
16) #9-Marcos Ambrose(17), DeWalt Ford, 80 laps
17) #55-Mark Martin(8), Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota, 80 laps
18) #14-Tony Stewart(13), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 80 laps
19) #34-David Ragan(14), CSX - Play it Safe Ford, 80 laps
20) #10-Danica Patrick(22), GoDaddy Chevy, 80 laps
21) #16-Greg Biffle(3), 3M Filtrete Ford, 79 laps, lucky dog
22) #2-Brad Keselowski(12), Miller Lite Ford, 3 laps, transmission

Segment 3 results for the Sprint All-Star Race:
1) #18-Kyle Busch(4), Snickers Bites Toyota, 50 laps, 29 laps led
2) #78-Kurt Busch(2), Furniture Row/Sealy Chevy, 60 laps, 20 laps led
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson(18), Lowe's Patriotic Chevy, 60 laps
4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(15), National Guard Chevy, 60 laps
5) #22-Joey Logano(5), Pennzoil Ford, 60 laps
6) #5-Kasey Kahne(9), Farmers Insurance Chevy, 60 laps
7) #11-Denny Hamlin(7), FedEx Express Toyota, 60 laps
8) #1-Jamie McMurray(20), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 60 laps
9) #29-Kevin Harvick(19), Rheem/Budweiser Chevy, 60 laps
10) #24-Jeff Gordon(10), Cromax Pro Chevy, 60 laps
11) #20-Matt Kenseth(16), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 60 laps
12) #39-Ryan Newman(11), Aspen Dental Chevy, 60 laps
13) #15-Clint Bowyer(6), 5-hour Energy Toyota, 60 laps, 11 laps led
14) #16-Greg Biffle(3), 3M Filtrete Ford, 60 laps
15) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 60 laps
16) #55-Mark Martin(8), Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota, 60 laps
17) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(21), Best Buy Ford, 60 laps
18) #14-Tony Stewart(13), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 60 laps
19) #9-Marcos Ambrose(17), DeWalt Ford, 60 laps
20) #34-David Ragan(14), CSX - Play it Safe Ford, 60 laps
21) #10-Danica Patrick(22), GoDaddy Chevy, 60 laps
22) #2-Brad Keselowski(12), Miller Lite Ford, 3 laps, transmission

Segment 2 results for the Sprint All-Star Race:
1) #18-Kyle Busch(4), Snickers Bites Toyota, 40 laps, 12 laps led
2) #15-Clint Bowyer(6), 5-hour Energy Toyota, 40 laps, 8 laps led
3) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 40 laps
4) #78-Kurt Busch(2), Furniture Row/Sealy Chevy, 40 laps, 20 laps led
5) #48-Jimmie Johnson(18), Lowe's Patriotic Chevy, 40 laps
6) #5-Kasey Kahne(9), Farmers Insurance Chevy, 40 laps
7) #22-Joey Logano(5), Pennzoil Ford, 40 laps
8) #1-Jamie McMurray(20), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 40 laps
9) #11-Denny Hamlin(7), FedEx Express Toyota, 40 laps
10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(15), National Guard Chevy, 40 laps
11) #24-Jeff Gordon(10), Cromax Pro Chevy, 40 laps
12) #29-Kevin Harvick(19), Rheem/Budweiser Chevy, 40 laps
13) #16-Greg Biffle(3), 3M Filtrete Ford, 40 laps
14) #39-Ryan Newman(11), Aspen Dental Chevy, 40 laps
15) #20-Matt Kenseth(16), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 40 laps
16) #14-Tony Stewart(13), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 40 laps
17) #9-Marcos Ambrose(17), DeWalt Ford, 40 laps
18) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(21), Best Buy Ford, 40 laps
19) #55-Mark Martin(8), Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota, 40 laps
20) #34-David Ragan(14), CSX - Play it Safe Ford, 40 laps
21) #10-Danica Patrick(22), GoDaddy Chevy, 40 laps
22) #2-Brad Keselowski(12), Miller Lite Ford, 3 laps, transmission
Everyone pitted but #15, #99, #55

Segment 1 results for the Sprint All-Star Race:
1) #78-Kurt Busch(2), Furniture Row/Sealy Chevy, 20 laps, 20 laps led
2) #18-Kyle Busch(4), Snickers Bites Toyota, 20 laps
3) #15-Clint Bowyer(6), 5-hour Energy Toyota, 20 laps
4) #99-Carl Edwards(1), Fastenal Ford, 20 laps
5) #5-Kasey Kahne(9), Farmers Insurance Chevy, 20 laps
6) #16-Greg Biffle(3), 3M Filtrete Ford, 20 laps
7) #24-Jeff Gordon(10), Cromax Pro Chevy, 20 laps
8) #11-Denny Hamlin(7), FedEx Express Toyota, 20 laps
9) #22-Joey Logano(5), Pennzoil Ford, 20 laps
10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(15), National Guard Chevy, 20 laps
11) #1-Jamie McMurray(20), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 20 laps
12) #39-Ryan Newman(11), Aspen Dental Chevy, 20 laps
13) #14-Tony Stewart(13), Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 20 laps
14) #55-Mark Martin(8), Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota, 20 laps
15) #48-Jimmie Johnson(18), Lowe's Patriotic Chevy, 20 laps
16) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(21), Best Buy Ford, 20 laps
17) #20-Matt Kenseth(16), Home Depot Husky Toyota, 20 laps
18) #29-Kevin Harvick(19), Rheem/Budweiser Chevy, 20 laps
19) #9-Marcos Ambrose(17), DeWalt Ford, 20 laps
20) #34-David Ragan(14), CSX - Play it Safe Ford, 20 laps
21) #10-Danica Patrick(22), GoDaddy Chevy, 20 laps
22) #2-Brad Keselowski(12), Miller Lite Ford, 3 laps, transmission

McMurray dominates the Sprint Showdown: #1-Jamie McMurray won the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, leading all 40 laps to transfer to the Sprint All-Star race. #17-Stenhouse Jr. finished 2nd and will also transfer to the All-Star race. #31-Burton finished 3rd followed by #27-Menard, #56-Truex Jr., #42-Montoya, #43-Almirola, #93-Kvapil, #10-Patrick and #13-Mears. After segment 1, #13-Mears was the only driver not to pit and started segment 2 first, but McMurray quickly retook the lead as his team changed two tires and he came out to start segment 2 second. #42-Montoya sped on pit road and started segment 2 from the rear. After the Sprint Showdown was over, NASCAR called #56-Truex Jr., #47-Labonte and #10-Patrick to staging area after the race. It will be one of those three as the Fan vote winner.
Fan Vote Winner: it was announced that #10-Danica Patrick won the fan vote and will race in the Sprint All-Star race.(5-18-2013)

Showdown Race Results (pdf) for race winnings, laps led and more race info

Showdown Penalty Report (pdf)

Sprint Showdown Results:
1) #1-Jamie McMurray, Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 40 laps, 40 laps led
2) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Best Buy Ford, 40 laps
#1-McMurray & #17-Stenhouse Jr. transfer to All-Star race
3) #27-Paul Menard, Serta/Menards Chevy, 40 laps
4) #31-Jeff Burton, Caterpillar Chevy, 40 laps
5) #56-Martin Truex Jr., NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, 40 laps
6) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Target Chevy, 40 laps
7) #43-Aric Almirola, Smithfield Ford, 40 laps
8) #93-Travis Kvapil, Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota, 40 laps
9) #10-Danica Patrick, GoDaddy Chevy, 40 laps - Fan Vote Winner
10) #13-Casey Mears, GEICO Ford, 40 laps
11) #83-David Reutimann, Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota, 40 laps
12) #47-Bobby Labonte, House Autry Toyota, 40 laps
13) #95-Michael McDowell, Leavine Family Racing Ford, 40 laps
14) #38-David Gilliland, Long John Silver's Ford, 40 laps
15) #30-David Stremme, Lean 1 Toyota, 40 laps
16) #33-Landon Cassill, Bicycle NASCAR Playing Cards Chevy, 40 laps
17) #19-Mike Bliss, Gentry Plastics/Inc./Plinker Tactical Toyota, 40 laps
18) #87-Joe Nemechek, Royal Teak Toyota, 40 laps, was the lucky dog, back on lead lap
19) #52-Brian Keselowski, SupportMilitary.org/EchoLight Studios Toyota, 36 laps
20) #36-JJ Yeley, World Trade Barter Solutions Chevy, 27 laps, Overheating
21) #7-Dave Blaney, SANY Chevy, 24 laps, Brakes
22) #44-Scott Riggs, No Label Ford, 15 laps, Vibration
23) #32-Timmy Hill, OXY Water Ford, 6 laps, Overheating

Pit Stops:: all lead lap cars came in to pit after segment 1 but #13-Mears, #36-Yeley, #7-Blaney & #19-Bliss. #42-Montoya sped on pit road and was snet to the rear of the field on the restart. #36-Yeley, #7-Blaney & #19-Bliss finally pitted after the leaders were done. #13-Mears stayed out and led the field to the green to start segment 2.(5-18-2013)

Sprint Showdown Segment 1 Results:
1) #1-Jamie McMurray, Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 20 laps, 20 laps led
2) #56-Martin Truex Jr., NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, 20 laps
3) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Best Buy Ford, 20 laps
4) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Target Chevy, 20 laps
5) #27-Paul Menard, Serta/Menards Chevy, 20 laps
6) #13-Casey Mears, GEICO Ford, 20 laps
7) #43-Aric Almirola, Smithfield Ford, 20 laps
8) #31-Jeff Burton, Caterpillar Chevy, 20 laps
9) #10-Danica Patrick, GoDaddy Chevy, 20 laps
10) #38-David Gilliland, Long John Silver's Ford, 20 laps
11) #93-Travis Kvapil, Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota, 20 laps
12) #36-JJ Yeley, World Trade Barter Solutions Chevy, 20 laps
13) #47-Bobby Labonte, House Autry Toyota, 20 laps
14) #83-David Reutimann, Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota, 20 laps
15) #33-Landon Cassill, Bicycle NASCAR Playing Cards Chevy, 20 laps
16) #19-Mike Bliss, Gentry Plastics/Inc./Plinker Tactical Toyota, 20 laps
17) #95-Michael McDowell, Leavine Family Racing Ford, 20 laps
18) #7-Dave Blaney, SANY Chevy, 20 laps
19) #30-David Stremme, Lean 1 Toyota, 20 laps
22) #87-Joe Nemechek, Royal Teak Toyota, 19 laps, was the lucky dog, back on lead lap
21) #52-Brian Keselowski, SupportMilitary.org/EchoLight Studios Toyota, 19 laps
22) #44-Scott Riggs, No Label Ford, 15 laps, out
23) #32-Timmy Hill, OXY Water Ford, 6 laps, out

Pushed back: due to some rain showers, Sprint Showdown driver introductions were pushed to 7:30pm/et and green flag to around 8:06pm/et.(5-18-2013)

Sprint All-Star Pit Stall Selections

Sprint Showdown Pit Stall Selections

Edwards wins pole for Sprint All-Star Race #99-Edwards won the pole for the Sprint All-Star Race Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a qualifying time of 111.297 seconds. All-Star Race qualifying is three laps with a mandatory 4-tire pit stop. #78-Busch will start on the outside pole followed by #16-Biffle, #18-Busch, #22-Logano, #15-Bowyer, #11-Hamlin, #55-Martin, #5-Kahne and #24-Gordon. #29-Harvick slid thru his pit box but didn't back up far enough and was serviced outside the pit box, so Harvick's time was disallowed and he will start last, but since Harvick lost an engine in practice, he would had started from the rear anyway. Four drivers lost 5 seconds for a loose lug nut #88-Earnhardt Jr., #20-Kenseth, #9-Ambrose and #48-Johnson.(5-17-2013)

Qualifying Results / Starting Lineup for the Sprint All-Star Race:
(3 laps with a mandatory 4-tire pit stop)
1) #99-Carl Edwards, Fastenal Ford, 111.297
2) #78-Kurt Busch, Furniture Row/Sealy Chevy, 112.447 seconds
3) #16-Greg Biffle, 3M Filtrete Ford, 112.706
4) #18-Kyle Busch, Snickers Bites Toyota, 112.754
5) #22-Joey Logano, Pennzoil Ford, 112.991
6) #15-Clint Bowyer, 5-hour Energy Toyota, 113.595
7) #11-Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota, 113.719
8) #55-Mark Martin, Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota, 114.001
9) #5-Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance Chevy, 114.033
10) #24-Jeff Gordon, Cromax Pro Chevy, 114.336
11) #39-Ryan Newman, Aspen Dental Chevy, 114.716
12) #2-Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Ford, 114.989
13) #14-Tony Stewart, Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 115.379
14) #34-David Ragan, CSX - Play it Safe Ford, 115.778
15) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., National Guard Chevy, 117.190 (a)
16) #20-Matt Kenseth, Home Depot Husky Toyota, 120.051(a)
17) #9-Marcos Ambrose, DeWalt Ford, 122.055 (overshot pit)(a)
18) #48-Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's Patriotic Chevy, 124.462 (overshot pit)(a)
19) #29-Kevin Harvick, Rheem/Budweiser Chevy, disallowed for pitting outside pit box
(was 122.903 seconds but overshot pit stall)
(a) 5 second penalty for loose / missing lugnut
after Sprint Showdown:
20) #1-Jamie McMurray, Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, won Sprint Showdown
21) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Best Buy Ford, 2nd in Sprint Showdown
22) #10-Danica Patrick, GoDaddy Chevy, Fan Vote Winner

Sprint All-Star Starting Lineup (pdf)

Truex Jr. wins pole for Showdown #56-Truex Jr. won the pole for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 193.424mph. #1-McMurray will start 2nd followed by #42-Montoya, #17-Stehnouse Jr., #13-Mears, #31-Burton, #10-Patrick, #27-Menard, #36-Yeley and #33-Cassill.(5-17-2013)

Qualifying Results for the Sprint Showdown:
1) #56-Martin Truex Jr., NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, 193.424 mph
2) #1-Jamie McMurray, Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy, 192.699
3) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Target Chevy, 192.342
4) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Best Buy Ford, 192.280
5) #13-Casey Mears, GEICO Ford, 190.880
6) #31-Jeff Burton, Caterpillar Chevy, 190.154
7) #10-Danica Patrick, GoDaddy Chevy, 190.061
8) #27-Paul Menard, Serta/Menards Chevy, 189.860
9) #36-JJ Yeley, World Trade Barter Solutions Chevy, 189.447
10) #33-Landon Cassill, Bicycle NASCAR Playing Cards Chevy, 188.963
11) #47-Bobby Labonte, House Autry Toyota, 188.818
12) #43-Aric Almirola, Smithfield Ford, 188.732
13) #44-Scott Riggs, No Label Ford, 188.580
14) #38-David Gilliland, Long John Silver's Ford, 188.186
15) #95-Michael McDowell, Leavine Family Racing Ford, 187.696
16) #83-David Reutimann, Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota, 187.435
17) #19-Mike Bliss, Gentry Plastics/Inc./Plinker Tactical Toyota, 187.305
18) #93-Travis Kvapil, Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota, 187.013
19) #7-Dave Blaney, SANY Chevy, 186.696
20) #32-Timmy Hill, OXY Water Ford, 185.861
21) #87-Joe Nemechek, Royal Teak Toyota, 184.011
22) #30-David Stremme, Lean 1 Toyota, 183.365
23) #52-Brian Keselowski, SupportMilitary.org/EchoLight Studios Toyota, 181.458

Sprint Showdown Starting Lineup (pdf)
Sprint Showdown Qualifying Results (pdf)

The one and only practice: for the Sprint All-Star Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top five and notes:
#18-Busch 189.607
#20-Kenseth 188.042
#2-Keselowski 187.865
#16-Biffle 187.585
#48-Johnson 187.559
slowest: #34-Ragan 182.359 & #9-Ambrose 183.418.
Notes: #9-Ambrose wrecked late in practice and did a lot of damage to the rear of the car and is going to a backup car for qualifying.
#29-Harvick lost an engine towards the end of practice.
See fastest speds, laps run, best 10-lap average on the Sprint All-Star Race Practice Speeds page (pdf)(5-17-2013)

The one and only practice: for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top five and notes:
#17-Stenhouse Jr. 188.811 (not a typo)
#1-McMurray 186.968
#31-Burton 186.677
#42-Montoya 186.593
#19-Bliss 186.233
slowest: #52-Keselowski 174.735 & #7-Blaney 179.194
notes: #10-Patrick, #13-Mears and #33-Cassill scraped the wall and did some damage to the right sides of their cars.
See fastest speds, laps run, best 10-lap average on the Sprint Showdown Practice Speeds page (pdf)(5-17-2013)

Qualifying Order for the Sprint All-Star Race:
1) #5-Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance Chevy
2) #78-Kurt Busch, Furniture Row/Sealy Chevy
3) #55-Mark Martin, Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's Patriotic Chevy
5) #20-Matt Kenseth, Home Depot Husky Toyota
6) #14-Tony Stewart, Bass Pro Shops/NWTF Chevy
7) #18-Kyle Busch, Snickers Bites Toyota
8) #9-Marcos Ambrose, DeWalt Ford
9) #24-Jeff Gordon, Cromax Pro Chevy
10) #15-Clint Bowyer, 5-hour Energy Toyota
11) #29-Kevin Harvick, Rheem/Budweiser Chevy
12) #22-Joey Logano, Pennzoil Ford
13) #16-Greg Biffle, 3M Filtrete Ford
14) #34-David Ragan, CSX - Play it Safe Ford
15) #99-Carl Edwards, Fastenal Ford
16) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., National Guard Chevy
17) #39-Ryan Newman, Aspen Dental Chevy
18) #11-Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota
19) #2-Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Ford

Sprint All-Star Qualifying Order (pdf)

Qualifying Order for the Sprint Showdown:
1) #38-David Gilliland, Long John Silver's Ford
2) #95-Michael McDowell, Leavine Family Racing Ford
3) #93-Travis Kvapil, Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota
4) #30-David Stremme, Lean 1 Toyota
5) #83-David Reutimann, Burger King/Dr.Pepper Toyota
6) #43-Aric Almirola, Smithfield Ford
7) #47-Bobby Labonte, House Autry Toyota
8) #31-Jeff Burton, Caterpillar Chevy
9) #1-Jamie McMurray, Bass Pro Shops/National Wild Turkey Foundation Chevy
10) #19-Mike Bliss, Gentry Plastics/Inc./Plinker Tactical Toyota
11) #36-JJ Yeley, World Trade Barter Solutions Chevy
12) #32-Timmy Hill, OXY Water Ford
13) #52-Brian Keselowski, SupportMilitary.org/EchoLight Studios Toyota
14) #87-Joe Nemechek, Royal Teak Toyota
15) #13-Casey Mears, GEICO Ford
16) #7-Dave Blaney, SANY Chevy
17) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Best Buy Ford
18) #10-Danica Patrick, GoDaddy Chevy
19) #33-Landon Cassill, Bicycle NASCAR Playing Cards Chevy
20) #27-Paul Menard, Serta/Menards Chevy
21) #44-Scott Riggs, No Label Ford
22) #42-Juan Pablo Montoya, Target Chevy
23) #56-Martin Truex Jr., NAPA Auto Parts Toyota

Sprint Showdown Qualifying Order (pdf)

Links to results, practices, qualifying PDF's: (wiil be added as available)
Sprint All-Star Race Race Results
Sprint All-Star Race Penalty Report
Showdown Race Results
Showdown Penalty Report
Sprint All-Star Race Pitstalls
Showdown Pitstalls
Sprint All-Star Race Starting Lineup
Showdown Starting Lineup
Showdown Qualifying Results
All-Star Race Practice Speeds
Showdown Practice Speeds
All-Star Race Qualifying Order
Showdown Qualifying Order
Sprint All-Star Race Entry List
Sprint Showdown Entry List

Change in All-Star fan vote: A tweak announced Wednesday for the Sprint All-Star race will allow the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote from the Sprint Showdown to advance into the main event without being on the lead lap as long as the car is in "raceable" condition as determined by Sprint Cup Series director John Darby.(ESPN)(5-16-2013)

10th Annual Sprint Fan Vote Now Open: Race fans can now begin casting ballots for their favorite Sprint Fan Vote eligible driver in the hopes of seeing him or her in the prestigious NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 18 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Voting begins today and ends at 5:00pm/et on the day of the race. Fans can vote an unlimited number of times between March 20 and May 18 by downloading the NASCAR Mobile '13 application or visiting NASCAR.com/SprintFanVote. Votes cast on NASCAR Mobile '13 will count twice towards a driver's total. The driver receiving the highest number of votes will earn a spot in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
In 2008, Kasey Kahne became the first and only driver to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race after being voted into the event via the Sprint Fan Vote. Other winners of the Sprint Fan Vote include: Ken Schrader (2004), Martin Truex Jr. (2005), Kyle Petty (2006), Kenny Wallace (2007), Joey Logano (2009), Carl Edwards (2010), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2011) and Bobby Labonte (2012).
To date, 26 drivers are eligible for the 2013 Sprint Fan Vote including Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidates Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. To be eligible for the Sprint Fan Vote, drivers must have finished in the top 55 of the final 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver points standings or attempted to qualify for the 2013 Daytona 500. Any eligible Sprint Fan Vote candidate who wins a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race during the 2013 season will automatically gain entry into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Subsequently, the driver's name will be removed from the Sprint Fan Vote ballot and their accumulated votes will be voided.
In addition to accumulating the most votes, a Sprint Fan Vote-eligible driver must also finish the Sprint Showdown qualifying race with a car in "raceable" condition (as determined by NASCAR Competition) to earn a spot in the race field.
Tickets for the entire NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend are on sale now. Packages start at just $99 for all weekend events including scanner rental. To purchase tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Drivers eligible for the Sprint Fan Vote include:
A.J. Allmendinger
Aric Almirola
Dave Blaney
Mike Bliss
Jeff Burton
Landon Cassill
Bill Elliott
David Gilliland
Travis Kvapil
Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Michael McDowell
Jamie McMurray
Casey Mears
Paul Menard
Juan Pablo Montoya
Danica Patrick
David Reutimann
Scott Speed
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
David Stremme
Martin Truex Jr.
Michael Waltrip
Josh Wise
JJ Yeley

No pit road speed for Qualifying in All-Star race: Speeding on pit road is now legal -- at least in qualifying for Saturday's Sprint All-Star race. In an attempt to spice up qualifying, pit road speeds that are strictly enforced in races as a safety measure will be lifted for Friday night's three-lap trip around Charlotte Motor Speedway that includes a mandatory four-time stop. Other cars will not be on pit road during All-Star qualifying, and crew members will not be allowed to come over the wall until the car is stopped, which is not the case in a race.(ESPN)(5-15-2013)

Format For 2013 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Elevates Need For Speed: Reinforcing the need for speed and going all out for the win, NASCAR announced on Tuesday the format for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race that will put added emphasis on finishing well in each of the five segments. The sport's annual classic is set for Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. (live on SPEED) at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The new wrinkle that should have the fans and the competitors excited: the running order at the completion of the fourth segment (Lap 80) will be repositioned based on the average finish for the first four segments directly behind the caution car prior to the opening of pit road for the mandatory four-tire pit stop. The order of the cars returning to the track will determine the starting order of the fifth segment. Running order ties will be broken by the finish of the fourth segment. This revision puts a premium on making all of the laps count leading up to the final 10-lap shootout with the race winner earning a $1 million pay day from Sprint.
"Having the average finish through the race's first four segments determine how the cars come down pit road for the last mandatory four-tire pit stop takes the competition to an even higher level," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Vice President of Competition. "The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is truly a showcase event for our sport and this format should bring out the best in our drivers and our teams."
The race will continue to be run in four, 20-lap segments and one 10-lap final segment. All laps will count in segments one through four. In the fifth and final segment, only Green Flag laps will be counted. There will be optional pit stops during the break following each of the first three segments, with the field set by the pit stop/stay out positioning during the five caution laps.
"The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is the highlight of our season," said Tim Considine, director of sponsorship marketing for Sprint. "These added elements help continue the tradition of this being one of the most unique and compelling races on the NASCAR Sprint Cup calendar."
The eligibility criteria for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race remain the same:
· Drivers who have won NASCAR Sprint Cup races in the current and preceding year. If a driver leaves a team with which he has won a race, he or she remains eligible (through the last race before the all-star race), however, the team does not
· Drivers who are past NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winners in the past 10 years
· Drivers who are past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions in the last 10 years
· The top two finishers in the Sprint Showdown, the 40-lap race that precedes the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
· The top Sprint Fan Vote driver who finishes on the lead lap of the Showdown and whose car is in "raceable" condition as determined by the series director
The 2013 Sprint Fan Vote runs from March 20-May 18. Fans may vote by using the NASCAR Mobile '13 application or online at NASCAR.COM. Votes cast from the NASCAR Mobile '13 application count double.
This will be the 29th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Five-time series champion and reigning Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson won last year's race.
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend ticket packages including all Friday and Saturday activities start at just $99 including scanner rental. Fans should call 1-800-455-FANS or visit CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com for details.(2-27-2013)

INFO on the 2013 FORMAT Change: With a $1 million payday, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway already offers the richest per-mile winner's purse in motorsports at more than $7,400 for each mile raced. But this year, the pot gets even sweeter with the introduction of Bruton's Big Bonus. When NASCAR's best take to the high banks of the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway, drivers will have a million more reasons stay up front from the first green flag until the checkered falls. If one driver wins all four 20-lap segments and bests the field in the final 10-lap shootout, he will double his winnings and take home Bruton's Big Bonus of an additional $1 million.
The May 18 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will consist of 90 total laps; four 20-lap segments followed by a mandatory four-tire pit stop and a 10-lap sprint to the big-money finish.
Drivers currently eligible for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race are Marcos Ambrose, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Keselowski, Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart. In addition, the top two finishers from the Sprint Showdown and the Sprint Fan Vote winner will be added to the field, plus any additional drivers who wins a Sprint Cup Series race prior to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
Tickets to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and all the May race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway are available through the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. All-Star weekend packages start at just $99, including tickets to NASCAR Sprint All-Star Qualifying, the N.C. Education Lottery 200, Sprint Showdown and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race plus scanner rental. For even more great ticket offers, call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(2-27-2013)

FORMAT CHANGE the format for the 2013 Sprint All-Star race has changed a bit. There will be four 20 lap segments followed by a final 10 lap segment for a total of 90 laps. Teams will have one mandatory 4-tire pit stop between segment 4 and 5. The final segment lineup is based on average finish in first four segments. The winner earns $1 million AND if a driver wins ALL five segments, that driver will win an additional $1 million.(SPEED's NASCAR Racehub)(2-26-2013)

All-Star Format to be announced on SPEED tonight: the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Format is scheduled to be announced during press event at Charlotte Motor Speedway and be carried live on SPEED's NASCAR RaceHub Tuesday, February 26th at 6:00pm/et. In addition, Charlotte Motor Speedway will unveil its own "unique" race car for the upcoming event. Scheduled to be at the press event: #2-Brad Keselowski, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion; Marcus Smith, president and general manager, CMS; Chad Knaus, crew chief for #48-Jimmie Johnson; and Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition, NASCAR.(CMS)
AND through March 31, legal-drinking-age fans will have the chance to submit an image of their favorite moments with friends - otherwise known as Miller Time moments - to be featured on the #2 Miller Lite Ford during the May 18 All-Star Race in Charlotte. To encourage fans to participate, for every photo submitted, Miller Lite will donate $2 to Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation (CFF), up to $22,222. More info on Jayski's NASCAR Contests page.(2-26-2013)

All-Star Race Notebook:
• There have been 28 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races.
• The first NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race was in 1985.
• 27 have been held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 1986, the event was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and won by Bill Elliott. That season was also the first year for what is now known as the Sprint Showdown.
• 89 drivers have run in at least one NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, with 75 competing in more than one.
• There have been 19 different winners of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip won the inaugural NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in 1985 at 161.184 mph.
• Mark Martin has participated in 23 races, more than any other driver. Terry Labonte has participated in 20, followed by Jeff Gordon with 19.
• The race has featured a field that ranged from 10 drivers in 1986 to 27 in 2002. Last season's field had 23 participants.
• Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990 and 1993), Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997 and 2001) and Jimmie Johnson (2003, 2006 and 2012) are the only three-time winners of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.
• Davey Allison (1991 and 1992), Terry Labonte (1988 and 1999) and Mark Martin (1998 and 2005) are the only other drivers to post multiple victories in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Allison is the only driver to ever win consecutive All-Star events.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only drivers to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in their rookie season.
• In two starts Joey Logano leads the series with an average finish of 5.5 in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
• Eight drivers including Joey Logano, have an average finish in the top 10 for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race: Matt Kenseth (6.2), Jimmie Johnson (6.6), Marcos Ambrose (7.0), Tony Stewart (7.7), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (8.3), Ryan Newman (9.2) and Jeff Gordon (9.5).
• Terry Labonte won the inaugural Coors Light pole for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race in 1985.
• 15 drivers have won Coors Light poles at Charlotte for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, led by Bill Elliott with five. Kyle Busch leads all active drivers with three.
• Three drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race: Davey Allison (1991, 1992) Bill Elliott (1997, 1998) and Kyle Busch (2011, 2012).
• The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race has been won from the pole position four times; the first three came in consecutive years: Dale Earnhardt (1990) and Davey Allison (1991 and 1992). Kurt Busch posted the fourth win from the pole in 2010.
• The front row starting positions are the two most proficient starting positions in the field, producing more winners (four each) than any other starting positions in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
• Eight of the 28 (28.5%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races have been won from the front row: four from the pole and four from second-place.
• 21 of the 28 (75.0%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races have been won from a top-10 starting position.
• Two of the 28 (7.1%) NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
• The deepest in the field a NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winner has started was 27th, by Ryan Newman in 2002.
• Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won seven NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races: Jeff Gordon (three), Jimmie Johnson (three) and Terry Labonte (one).
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-five finishes in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with nine; followed by Tony Stewart (eight) and Jimmie Johnson (seven).
• Bill Elliott leads the series in top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with 13; followed by Dale Earnhardt with 12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin lead all active drivers with 10 each.
• Five drivers have won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the same year: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990, 1993), Rusty Wallace (1989), Jeff Gordon (1995, 1997, 2001) and Jimmie Johnson (2006).
• In 2008, Kasey Kahne became the first driver to get into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race by the Sprint Fan Vote and go on to win the event.
• Seven times from seven different drivers has the winner of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race gone on to win the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway the following weekend: Darrell Waltrip (1985), Davey Allison (1991), Dale Earnhardt (1993), Jeff Gordon (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2003), Kasey Kahne (2008) and Kurt Busch (2010).
• The record for lead changes in a NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is 10 in 2004.
• The record for different leaders in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is nine in 2002.
• The series best Driver Rating performance by a NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winner was Carl Edwards posting a 141.7 in 2011.(NASCAR)(5-14-2013)

Track Specifications:
Superspeedway: 1.5-mile quad oval
Banking: turns: 24 degrees; straights: 5 degrees
Straights: Frontstretch - 1952.8 feet; Backstretch - 1360 feet
Grandstand Seating: 146,000 [down from 171,000]
Pit Road Speed: 45mph
Pace Car Speed: 55mph
Opened: 1960

Track / Sponsor Websites:
Jayski's Charlotte Track News, Links & Stats page
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Speedway Motorsports
Facebook - Charlotte Motor Speedway
Twitter - CLTMotorSpdwy

Sprint Showdown Race Festivities/Officials:
Grand Marshal: Charles Emerson, Leland Knox & Richard Reeves
Command to start engines: Charles Emerson, Leland Knox & Richard Reeves
Invocation: Joe Gibbs
God Bless America: Speedway contest winner Rosalee Johnson

All Star Race Race Festivities/Officials:
Grand Marshal: Legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson
Command to start engines: Keith Jackson
National Anthem: Kaya Jones
Military Flyover: none

Sprint All-Star Challenge Purse:
2013: $3,214,212; winner $1,039,175
2012: $3,102,255; winner $1,071,340
2011: $3,195,839; winner $1,203,300
2010: $3,195,839; winner $1,078,309
2009: $3,308,251; winner $1,058,656
2008: $3,308,251; winner $1,012,975
2007: $2,989,364; winner $1,031,539
2006: $3,250,450; winner $1,055,007
(includes Sprint Showdown purse)

Sprint Showdown Purse:
2013: $711,415, Winner $50,915, 23 cars
2012: $711,416, Winner $52,160, 22 cars
2011: $711,416, Winner $46,925, 27 cars
2010: $897,587, Winner $51,760, 29 cars
2009: $1,010,000, Winner $51,525, 35 cars
2008: $1,000,000, Winner $57,575, 27 cars
2007:$1,000,000, Winner $52,386, 32 cars
2006: $950,000, Winner $53,534, 29 cars

Race Coverage of the Sprint All-Star Race and Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2013.
Television (TV): SPEED at 7:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 5:00 pm/et; green flag approx 7:46pm/et for Showdown, sometime after 9:00pm/et for All-Star race
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: SPEED, Sunday, May 19 at 12:00 am/et & Wednesday, May 22 at 12:00pm/et

Coverage of Qualifying for the Sprint Showdown Sprint Cup Series race [2 laps] at Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, May 17, 2013 at 5:00pm/et with Sprint All-Star Race qualifying [3 laps with 4 tire change pit stop] scheduled to 6:00pm/et.
Television (TV): SPEED, 5:00pm/et
Radio: Motor Racing Network, 6:00pm/et
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: 11:00pm/et

SPEED TV coverage of NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race:
For the first time since this year's Daytona 500, FOX Sports and SPEED bring CAMCAT back to the track, as the 85-mph, high-tech camera suspended above the race track by a pair of gigantic cranes positioned outside of Charlotte Motor Speedway adds a strong element to SPEED's signature coverage of the 29th NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 18 at 7 p.m. ET.
The two-point, flying camera system developed in Austria is suspended a maximum of 140 feet in the air, dipping to 45 feet above the track at the 2,900-foot cable's midpoint.
Headlined by the popular NASCAR on FOX trio of Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds and Mike Joy, SPEED's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on-air team also includes Michael Waltrip and Chris Myers from the famed Hollywood Hotel, Jeff Hammond, Krista Voda, Steve Byrnes and Matt Yocum. In addition, Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Keith Jackson narrates a pre-race All-Star retrospective. Jackson called NASCAR's first three All-Star events, including Dale Earnhardt's famous "Pass in the Grass" win in The Winston in 1987.
Darrell Waltrip, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, won the sport's inaugural All-Star event with Hammond as his crew chief, piloting a Chevrolet for Junior Johnson in 1985. McReynolds was the winning crew chief in back-to-back All-Star races in 1991-92 with driver Davey Allison and Robert Yates Racing.
"Winning that first All-Star race was critical," recalled Waltrip. "Win the first anything and people will never forget & can you name the winner of most of the All-Star races? Probably not, but you sure know who won the first one. Junior Johnson built me a special car and engine just for that race. Why is that so important? Because ever since that race, nearly everyone has built special cars and engines for the All-Star race. Special paint schemes and uniforms & one-of-a-kind cars that were designed to run in just this race. It all started with that first race."
Waltrip points out that the "anything goes" atmosphere surrounding the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race makes it one of the most unpredictable events of the year.
"Lots of strange things have happened through the years," Waltrip said. "You never know what's going to happen this year, but I bet it'll be strange & why not, a bunch of all stars trying to out-do the other, the best of the best at their best & or maybe an upset, like when my brother won driving for the Wood Brothers. After all, David Ragan did just qualify for the All-Star race. I smell upset!" Michael Waltrip won the race in 1996 in a Wood Brothers Ford, becoming the first driver to win the event after transferring in through a last-chance qualifying race.
After a week of special All-Star editions of NASCAR Race Hub (Mon.-Thurs. at 6 p.m. ET), weekend race coverage begins Friday from Charlotte Motor Speedway with a series of All-Star practice and qualifying sessions, leading up to live coverage of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at 7:30 p.m. ET.
On Saturday afternoon, a special three-hour All-Star edition of NASCAR RaceDay Fueled by Sunoco begins at 4 p.m. ET, leading into live coverage of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at 7 p.m. ET. NASCAR Race Hub hosts Byrnes and Danielle Trotta will handle driver introductions.
The multi-Emmy Award winning Inside the Headsets, produced by NASCAR Productions, returns to capture a wide array of action from Saturday night's race, including exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, in-car communication, crew chief sound, exclusive interviews and a glimpse inside NASCAR Race Control with cameras embedded at the competition nerve center. The program airs less than 24 hours following the conclusion of the race, premiering at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend television schedule (all times ET & subject to change):
Friday, May 17
· NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice (10:30 a.m., LIVE)
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice: Showdown (Noon, LIVE)
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice: All-Star (1:30 p.m., LIVE)
· Trackside (3 p.m., LIVE)
· NASCAR Camping World Truck Series qualifying (4 p.m., LIVE)
· NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying: Showdown (5 p.m., LIVE)
· NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying: All-Star (6 p.m., LIVE)
· NCWTS Setup (7:30 p.m., LIVE)
· NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race (8 p.m., LIVE)
Saturday, May 18
· SPEED Center: NASCAR Edition (3:30 p.m., LIVE)
· NASCAR RaceDay Fueled by Sunoco: Special All-Star Edition (4 p.m., LIVE)
· NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (7 p.m., LIVE)
· NASCAR Victory Lane (11 p.m., LIVE)
Sunday, May 19
· SPEED Center (7 p.m.)
· Wind Tunnel w/Dave Despain (8 p.m.)
· Inside the Headsets: 2013 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (8:30 p.m.)

Sprint Showdown Happy Hour 'Final' practice: Friday, May 17, 12:00 - 1:25pm/et, TV-SPEED

Sprint Showdown Qualifying: 2 laps, with fastest lap counting, Friday, May 17 at 5:00 pm/et, TV-SPEED, re-air scheduled at 11:00pm/et.

Sprint All-Star Race Happy Hour 'Final' practice: Friday, May 17, 1:30 - 3:00pm/et, TV-SPEED

Sprint All-Star Race Qualifying: 3 lap average, with pit stop with mandatory 4-tire change, Friday, May 4 at 6:00 pm/et, TV-SPEED, re-air scheduled at 12:00am/et.

Vegas Insider
All-Star Preview by Micah Roberts
NASCAR Top-Five Finish Prediction

Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Sprint Showdown and All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway the Sprint Showdown & Sprint All-Star Race Info page - Chassis selection area.

Tire: Goodyear "Support Our Troops" Speedway Radials:

Number of Tires:
Sprint Cup: Left-side -- 1,000, Right-side -- 1,000;
Camping World Truck: Left-side -- 500, Right-side -- 500

Set limits:
All-Star Race: 11 sets for the event;
Showdown: 7 sets for the event;
Camping World Truck: 3 sets for Thursday test day and 5 sets for Friday practice/qualifying/race

Tire Codes: Left-side -- D-4428; Right-side -- D-4552

Tire Circumference: Left-side -- 87.5 in. (2,223 mm); Right-side -- 88.4 in. (2,246 mm)

Technical Inspection Inflation:
Left Front -- 30 psi; Left Rear -- 30 psi;
Right Front -- 55 psi; Right Rear -- 50 psi

Minimum Recommended Inflation:
Left Front -- 30 psi; Left Rear -- 30 psi;
Right Front -- 54 psi; Right Rear -- 50 psi

Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Charlotte this week . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that teams in both of these series ran at Charlotte last season . . . this left-side tire code (D-4428) dates back to Charlotte in 2011 for Sprint Cup teams . . . this right-side tire code (D-4552) was run by Cup teams at Darlington last weekend . . . in Camping World Truck, Charlotte is the only track at which teams run either of these two tire codes . . . normally, Sprint Cup tires are branded "Goodyear Eagle" and Camping World Truck tires are branded "Goodyear Wrangler," however, throughout Charlotte's Speed Weeks, all tires will be decaled with "Support Our Troops" as part of the Goodyear Gives Back program . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Charlotte . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend ticket packages including all Friday and Saturday activities start at just $99 including scanner rental. Fans should call 1-800-455-FANS or visit CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com for details.(2-27-2013)

In the Charlotte, NC for the races? some cool places to check out that Jayski has been to an enjoyed since moving to the Charlotte area in January 2004:
Memory Lane Museum on Hwy 150 W in Mooresville, NC,
North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame Lakeside Park, Mooresville
And a must is the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, checked it out in July and it is really cool
SOME EATs: Lancaster's Bar-B=Que is a large place with a lot of NASCAR stuff all over the walls, also I enjoyed: Jeffrey's. In Huntersville check out Mickey & Mooches for great steaks and the huge chocolate cake
TEAM SHOPS: and to check out some team shops, see my Team Address page, on that page there are a few links for Race Shop Tours [click here].
Or drive up I-85 and head to [Richard] Childress Vineyards.
in Concord, check out the racing stuff at Quaker Steak and Lube for some great wings and food
and check out the Sam Bass Gallery, right near Charlotte Motor Speedway.
(this is not an ad and not looking for suggestions, just some things to helps folks in town)
ALSO: see my Racing Charities page and Driver Appearances page for driver appearances and more thing going on in the area.

The 2013 Cabarrus County Destination Guide: The new Cabarrus County Destination Guide is hot off the presses just in time for this month's NASCAR races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 2013 Destination Guide includes feature stories, vivid images and the latest information on lodging, dining and activities, including the county's unequaled concentration of motorsports attractions. The Cabarrus County Destination Guide is a must-have resource for NASCAR fans containing race shop listings and attraction maps, as well as a detailed map of Charlotte Motor Speedway. For added convenience, browse the new digital version at cabarrus.lunarcow.com and print pages from home.
For more information, go to visitcabarrus.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitcabarrus for the latest news and updates.

Pit Crew Challenge cancelled: NASCAR will not conduct its All-Star Pit Crew Challenge this year as it was unable to land sponsorship for the event. The event, a staple of NASCAR's all-star week since 2005, featured pit crews competing in an arena setting where they would jack cars, change tires and push cars across the arena floor. The results of the pit crew challenge had been used to determine the order that teams selected pit stalls for the all-star race. NASCAR will use qualifying resultsjust as it does for all regular-season eventsto determine pit-stall selection order for the all-star race, which is scheduled for May 18 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Craftsman and then Sprint had sponsored the pit crew challenge throughout the years, but Sprint reallocated its money to sponsor the season-opening exhibition Sprint Unlimited race at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR officials have said since January that they were looking for a sponsor to continue the event.(Sporting News)(4-10-2013)

will not be held this year, no word on future plans