Eligible drivers for the 2008 Sprint Showdown

1. ) #84-A.J. Allmendinger
2. ) #34-John Andretti
3. ) #50-Stanton Barrett
4. ) Johnny Benson
5. ) #22-Dave Blaney
6. ) Ward Burton [no Cup ride]
7. ) #10-Patrick Carpentier
8. ) #21-Bill Elliott (part time)
9. ) #40-Dario Franchitti
10. ) #38-David Gilliland
11. ) #7-Robby Gordon
12. ) Jeff Green [no Cup ride]
13. ) #77-Sam Hornish Jr.
14. ) #9-Kasey Kahne
15. ) #28-Travis Kvapil
16. ) Burney Lamar
17. ) Carl Long
18. ) #09-Sterling Marlin (part time)
19. ) Jeremy Mayfield [no Cup ride]
20. ) #37-Eric McClure (part time)
21. ) #26-Jamie McMurray
22. ) #15-Paul Menard
23. ) #78-Joe Nemechek
24. ) #45-Kyle Petty
25. ) #6-David Ragan
26. ) #08-Tony Raines [attempted a race in the #08]
27. ) #00-David Reutimann [in #44 now, but Jarrett will run #44 in All-Star race]
28. ) #66-Scott Riggs
29. ) #19-Elliott Sadler
30. ) #60-Boris Said [part time]
31. ) #70-Johnny Sauter [ran some races with #70 team]
32. ) ?-Ken Schrader [team moved to part time, may run for another team, like #70]
33. ) #84-Mike Skinner [ran a few races in the spring, no word if he will run the race]
34. ) #01-Regan Smith
35. ) #41-Reed Sorenson
36. ) David Stremme [no Cup ride]
37. ) Jacques Villeneuve
38. ) #83-Brian Vickers
39. ) #87-Kenny Wallace (part time, one race)
40. ) #55-Michael Waltrip
41. ) #96-J.J. Yeley

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SCHEDULED SPECIAL PAINT SCHEMES

Car#/Driver	Sponsor/Scheme/Promo	Image Link
#10-Patrick Carpentier	Charter Communications	#10 Team Schemes Page
#11-Denny Hamlin	FedEx Freight	#11 Team Schemes Page
#16-Greg Biffle	Dish Network	#16 Team Schemes Page
#17-Matt Kenseth	DeWalt NANO	#17 Team Schemes Page
#19-Elliott Sadler	Stanley Tools	#19 Team Schemes Page
#29-Kevin Harvick	Pennzoil Platinum	#29 Team Schemes Page
#42-Juan Pablo Montoya	Wrigley's Juicyfruit Gum	#42 Team Schemes Page
#45-Kyle Petty	Coca-Cola / Olympics	#45 Team Schemes Page
#48-Jimmie Johnson	Lowe's/Kobalt Tools	#48 Team Schemes Page
#49-Chad McCumbee	#49 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil	#49 Team Schemes Page
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr	National Guard Citizen-Soldiers	#88 Team Schemes Page





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ALL-STAR CHALLENGE RESULTS

• See my All-Star/Showdown Results Page for more
  
  
• Kahne wins All-Star Challenge: #9-Kasey Kahne, who won the Fan Vote, won the Sprint All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway after the team chose not to change tires on the last pit stop. Kahne becomes the first Fan Vote winner and the 3rd driver to transfer from the Sprint Showdown to win the race. #16-Biffle finished 2nd, followed by #17-Kenseth, #48-Johnson, #20-Stewart, #12-Newman, #77-Hornish Jr., #88-Earnhardt Jr., #8-Martin and #99-Edwards. Pole sitter #18-Busch, lost an engine towards the end of the 2nd segment and finished 24th. Kahne won the fan vote, 2nd was #7-Robby Gordon with #19-Elliott Sadler finishing third.(5-17-2008) Comment here
  
  
• NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race - Fast Facts:
  .. Kasey Kahne won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, his first victory in five tries in the annual all-star race.
  .. Kahne, who won the Fan Vote, to gain entry into the all-star race, became the third driver to win after transferring from the Sprint Showdown. He joined Michael Waltrip and Ryan Newman and is the first to win from the Fan Vote entry.
  .. Kahne’s margin of victory was 1.327 – just the fifth MOV of more than one second in the 24-year history of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
  .. Kyle Busch won segment 1 after leading all 25 laps. He was followed by Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch as 23 cars finished the segment on the lead lap.
  .. Carl Edwards took the lead on lap 39 and won segment 2, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth. Busch dropped out at the end of the segment with engine failure.
  .. Greg Biffle took the lead from Earnhardt, who led lap 51 through 64 and won segment 3. Earnhardt finished second with Kenseth third.
  .. The restart for Segment 4: 48, 9, 11, 16, 17, 12, 99, 77, 8, 20, 24, 07, 88, 2, 43, 42, 29, 84, 1, 5, 31, 26.(NASCAR Statistics)(5-17-2008)
  
  
• Kahne wins All-Star Challenge: #9-Kasey Kahne, who won the Fan Vote, won the Sprint All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway after the team chose not to change tires on the last pit stop. Kahne becomes the first Fan Vote winner and the 3rd driver to transfer from the Sprint Showdown to win the race. #16-Biffle finished 2nd, followed by #17-Kenseth, #48-Johnson, #20-Stewart, #12-Newman, #77-Hornish Jr., #88-Earnhardt Jr., #8-Martin and #99-Edwards.
  #9-Kahne [fan winner] $1,012,975
  #16-Biffle $455,950 won seg 3
  #17-Kenseth $132,975
  #48-Johnson, #97,950
  #20-Stewart, $92,950
  #12-Newman $87,950
  #77-Hornish Jr. $82,800
  #88-Earnhardt Jr. $101,800
  #8-Martin, $80,800
  #99-Edwards, $154,800 won seg 2
  #29-Harvick, $78,775
  #43-Labonte, $77,775
  #5-Mears, $76,775
  #42-Montoya, $76,275
  #24-Gordon, $85,675
  #1-Truex Jr., $75,400
  #84-Allmendinger [won the Showdown], $75,300
  #07-Bowyer, $75,200
  #26-McMuarray, $75,100
  #31-Burton, $75,000
  #44-Jarrett, $74,900
  #2-Busch, #79,800
  #11-Hamlin OUT engine, $74,700
  #18-Busch OUT engine, $199,601 won seg 1
  
  
• Biffle wins Segment 3 of All-Star Race: #16-Greg Biffle won the 3rd of four segments of the Sprint All-Star Challenge, winning $75,000. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr finished 2nd. Teams have to make a mandatory pit stop, could be a stop-n-go, gas only, 2 tires or 3 tires, the finishing order at the end of the 3nd segment:
  #16-Biffle $75,000
  #88-Earnhardt Jr.
  #17-Kenseth
  #12-Newman
  #8-Martin
  #2-Busch
  #9-Kahne [fan winner]
  #99-Edwards
  #48-Johnson
  #11-Hamlin
  #20-Stewart
  #43-Labonte
  #29-Harvick
  #77-Hornish Jr.
  #24-Gordon
  #5-Mears
  #42-Montoya
  #1-Truex Jr.
  #84-Allmendinger [won the Showdown]
  #07-Bowyer
  #26-McMuarray
  #44-Jarrett
  #31-Burton
  #18-Busch OUT engine
  
  
• Edwards wins Segment 2 of All-Star Race: #99-Carl Edwards won the 2nd of four segments of the Sprint All-Star Challenge, winning $75,000. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr got 2nd. #18-Kyle Busch, who dominated the 1st segment and the early part of the 2nd segment, had an engine problem and finished 6th. The teams get a 10 minute break between segments 2 and 3, so the #18 crew tried to fix the engine, but the engine is gone, so Busch is out of the race, the finishing order at the end of the 2nd segment:
  #99-Edwards, $75,000
  #88-Earnhardt Jr.
  #17-Kenseth
  #12-Newman
  #16-Biffle
  #18-Busch OUT engine
  #8-Martin
  #9-Kahne [fan winner]
  #48-Johnson
  #2-Busch
  #20-Stewart
  #43-Labonte
  #11-Hamlin
  #29-Harvick
  #24-Gordon
  #84-Allmendinger [won the Showdown]
  #5-Mears
  #1-Truex Jr.
  #26-McMuarray
  #07-Bowyer
  #42-Montoya
  #44-Jarrett
  #31-Burton
  #77-Hornish Jr. -1 lap
  
  
• Kyle Busch wins Segment 1 of All-Star Race: #18-Kyle Busch won the first of four segments of the Sprint All-Star Challenge, winning $75,000. #16-Greg Biffle was 2nd, the finishing order at the end of the 1st segment:
  #18-Busch $75,000
  #16-Biffle
  #2-Busch
  #12-Newman
  #88-Earnhardt Jr.
  #24-Gordon
  #43-Labonte
  #1-Truex Jr.
  #17-Kenseth
  #48-Johnson
  #8-Martin
  #99-Edwards
  #9-Kahne [fan winner]
  #11-Hamlin
  #20-Stewart
  #26-McMuarray
  #29-Harvick
  #5-Mears
  #84-Allmendinger [won the Showdown]
  #07-Bowyer
  #31-Burton
  #42-Montoya
  #44-Jarrett
  #77-Hornish Jr.
  
  

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  SHOWDOWN RESULTS

• See my All-Star/Showdown Results Page for more
  
  
• Allmendinger wins Sprint Showdown: #84-A.J. Allmendinger won the Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway advancing to the All-Star Challenge along with #77-Sam Hornish Jr. who came in 2nd. #9-Kasey Kahne advances after being voted in by the fans, 2nd was #7-Robby Gordon with #19-Elliott Sadler finishing third.(5-17-2008)
  
  
• Allmendinger wins Sprint Showdown: #84-A.J. Allmendinger won the Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway with #77-Sam Hornish Jr, finishing 2nd, so both advance to the All-Star Challenge, #9-Kasey Kahne was voted into the All-Star Challenge by the fans, the results
  #84-Allmendinger, advances by winning the race
  #77-Hornish Jr., advances by finishing 2nd
  #6-Ragan
  #83-Vickers
  #9-Kahne [2 tires], advances by winning the Fan Vote
  #00-Reutimann
  #38-Gilliland
  #28-Kvapil
  #96-Yeley
  #22-Blaney
  #7-Gordon
  #41-Sorenson
  #49-McCumbee
  #66-Riggs
  #45-Petty
  #15-Menard
  #78-Nemechek
  #34-Green
  #21-Elliott
  #55-Waltrip
  #01-Smith
  #46-Long
  #70-Sauter, accident OUT
  #50-Barrett - OUT
  #19-Sadler, accident OUT
  #10-Carpentier, accident OUT
  
  
• Segment 2 restart: after pit stops, the second segment started as follows, the first 8 didn't pit:
  #6-Ragan
  #84-Allmendinger
  #77-Hornish
  #70-Sauter
  #41-Sorenson
  #66-Riggs
  #49-McCumbee
  #9-Kahne [2 tires]
  #38-Gilliland
  #83-Vickers
  #01-Smith
  #22-Blaney
  #28-Kvapil
  #00-Reutimann
  #96-Yeley
  #15-Menard
  #78-Nemechek
  #7-Gordon
  #21-Elliott
  #55-Waltrip
  #45-Petty
  #34-Green
  #46-Long
  #50-Barrett - OUT
  #08-Raines
  #19-Sadler, accident OUT
  #10-Carpentier, accident OUT
  
  
  
• Vickers wins first segment: #83-Brian VIckers won the fist 20-lap segment of the Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Pole sitter, #19-Sadler got tapped by #84-Allmendinger and slapped the wall and is out of the race, the segment 1 rundown
  #83-Vickers
  #6-Ragan
  #84-Allmendinger
  #7-Gordon
  #77-Hornish
  #70-Sauter
  #22-Blaney
  #38-Gilliland
  #28-Kvapil
  #9-Kahne
  #00-Reutimann
  #41-Sorenson
  #55-Waltrip
  #66-Riggs
  #15-Menard
  #96-Yeley
  #45-Petty
  #49-McCumbee
  #01-Smith
  #21-Elliott
  #78-Nemechek
  #34-Green
  #46-Long
  #50-Barrett - OUT
  #08-Raines
  #19-Sadler - OUT
  #10-Carpentier - OUT
  
  
• Lucky Dog/Lap Back:
  Caution 1: none a lap down
  Caution 2: #34-Green
  Caution 3: none a lap down that is on the track
  
  
• Drivers to Light 'Em Up During Inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge: An all-star lineup is set to do battle in the inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge Saturday evening, prior to the Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. #16-Greg Biffle, #07-Clint Bowyer, #18-Kyle Busch, #29-Kevin Harvick and #48-Jimmie Johnson-will prove who is best at celebrating a victory. The competition will test the skill and style of each driver as they execute a smoky burnout; perform two spectacular donuts; and then continue the burnout as they drive into "Victory Lane." The winner will be determined by a combination of style points and elapsed time, and his designated charity will receive a $10,000 donation. The competition will take place at 6:15pm/et on the frontstretch of the 1.5-mile superspeedway and will be televised live during SPEED's pre-race coverage of the Sprint All-Star Race. Good seats, in various price ranges, are still available for Saturday' Sprint All-Star Race and tickets include the 3 Doors Down pre-race concert. Tickets start at $40 and may be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(LMS)
  AND The event is NASCAR's take on the NBA's Slam Dunk contest and Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby. Each participant will begin from a standing start and complete a drag-racing style tire burnout. Upon completion of the burnout, each driver will execute complete 360-degree donuts before racing to a designated Victory Lane marked on either side with traffic cones and into the "Finish Box," stopping the clock. A time penalty will be accessed for hitting lane marking cones or the end cone. The winner will be determined by the fastest time after penalties (if any) are accessed. Each driver will be in similarly prepared Richard Petty Driving Experience cars wrapped with Sprint All-Star Race decals.(RCR)(5-14-2008)
  RESULTS:
  #07-Clint Bowyer was first with contest winner Chad Simpson, did 2 donuts, drove thru, didn't stop in the box, took 23.971 seconds, plus the 5 sec penalty for a total of 28.8=971 seconds, then he added two more donuts at the end
  #16-Greg Biffle was next with Tank from Austrailia in the car, did his donuts and stopped in the box, but supposedly didn't keep the tires spinning for 5 seconds and a total of 25.046 seconds
  #48-Jimmie Johnson went out third with Quaker State contest winner Neil Liker [sp?] and kind of just did what hee wanted, just do donuts, then started hitting cones and blew out the rear tires, along with the 20 second penalty, had a total time of 69.017 seconds
  #29-Kevin Harvick was next with Pennzoil contest winner, Kelly Bartik [from Fox in CHarlotte, did his two donuts, but they were long slow donuts and he got the car in the box in a time of 31.916 seconds, then put the nose of the car against the outside wall and blew out the rear tires.
  Up last was crowd fave, #18-Kyle Busch with USA Today reporter Seth Livingstone, did a slow burnout, two slow donuts, then slow burn to the box in 40.550 seconds, then got out of the car and saluted the fans.
  WINNER was Greg Biffle, winning the $10,000 which will go to the Greg Biffle Foundation.(5-17-2008) Comment here
  
  

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  ALL-STAR CHALLENGE QUALIFYING

• Kyle Busch wins pole for All-Star Race: #18-Kyle Busch won the pole for the Sprint All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway with a time of 121.950 seconds, Busch went out last and took the pole from #24-Jeff Gordon, who will start 2nd, followed by #2-Busch, #1-Treux Jr., #16-Biffle, #26-McMurray, #31-Burton, #12-Newman, #07-Bowyer and #43-Labonte. #44-Dale jarrett, who will retire after the race, will start 18th. Drivers penalized: #5-Mears [5 seconds for crew leaving the wall too early]; #29-Harvick [5, lug nut]; #44-Jarrett [5, lug nut]; #99-Edwards [20, too fast pit road]; #11-Hamlin, too fast pit road]; #48-Johnson, time disallowed for getting service outdie the pit box]. For qualifying results, qualifying order, starting lineup, see my All-Star Starting Lineup/Qualifying Results/Order Page.(5-16-2008)
  
  
• Sadler wins pole for Shootout: #19-Elliott Sadler won the pole for the Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway with a speed of 185.014mph. #83-Vickers will start 2nd, followed by #6-Ragan, #84-Allmediner, #7-Gordon, #22-Blaney, #78-Nemechek, #77-Hornish Jr., #66-Riggs and #28-Kvapil. #19-Carpentier spun off turn 4 during his 1st lap, but didn't hit anything. Not so lucky was #37-Kenny Wallace, who lost it in turn 2 on his 2nd lap and backed hard into the wall, the team has withdrawn from the race, so there will be 27 cars in the race. For qualifying results, qualifying order, starting lineup, see my All-Star Starting Lineup/Qualifying Results/Order Page.(5-16-2008)
  
  
• All Star Race Starting Lineup and Qualifying Resultsd/Order page
  
  
• All-Star Race - Pit Stall Selections
  
  

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  ALL-STAR CHALLENGE PRACTICE SPEEDS

• Final Practice for the Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway is over, the fastest:
  #8-Martin 181.751
  #18-Busch 181.714
  #16-Biffle 180.923
  #99-Edwards 180.584
  #29-Harvick 179.485
  slowest #44-Jarrett 174.469 and #1-Truex Jr. 176.056
  See the speeds and average speeds on my All-Star Practice Page.(5-16-2008)
  
  
• Final Practice for the Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway is over, the fastest:
  #19-Sadler 183.256
  #7-Gordon 181.745
  #28-Kvapil 181.141
  #70-Sauter 180.929
  #77-Hornish Jr. 180.711
  most laps run; #9-Kahne 46; #83-Vickers 45
  slowest: #46-Long 159.269 [3 laps run] and #37-Wallace 167.240 [2 laps run]
  inciedent: #08-Raines smacked the wall and pancaked the right side
  See the speeds and average speeds on my All-Star Practice Page.(5-16-2008)
  
  

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  SPRINT SHOWDOWN ENTRY LIST

  Provided by NASCAR Statistics - Mon, May 12, 2008 @ 04:29 PM Eastern
  
  (28 entries)
  #00-David Reutimann, TBA Toyota
  #01-Regan Smith, The Principal Financial Group/DEI Chevrolet
  #6-David Ragan, AAA Insurance Ford
  #7-Robby Gordon, TBA Dodge
  #08-Tony Raines, FUBAR Dodge
  #9-Kasey Kahne, Budweiser Dodge
  #10-Patrick Carpentier, Charter Dodge
  #15-Paul Menard, Menards / Johns Manville Chevrolet
  #19-Elliott Sadler, Stanley Dodge
  #21-Bill Elliott, U.S. Air Force Ford
  #22-Dave Blaney, Caterpillar Toyota
  #28-Travis Kvapil, Yates Racing Ford
  #34-Jeff Green, TBA Chevrolet
  #37-Kenny Wallace, TBA Chevrolet
  #38-David Gilliland, FreeCreditReport.com Ford
  #41-Reed Sorenson, Target Dodge
  #45-Kyle Petty, Coca-Cola Dodge
  #46-Carl Long, Romeo Guest Construction Dodge
  #49-Chad McCumbee, Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge
  #50-Stanton Barrett, NOS Energy Drink-SKI-SBM Chevrolet
  #55-Michael Waltrip, NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
  #66-Scott Riggs, Haas Automation Chevrolet
  #70-Johnny Sauter, Haas Automation Chevrolet
  #77-Sam Hornish Jr, Mobil 1 Dodge
  #78-Joe Nemechek, Furniture Row Chevrolet
  #83-Brian Vickers, Red Bull Toyota
  #84-AJ Allmendinger, Red Bull Toyota
  #96-J.J. Yeley, DLP HDTV Toyota
  withdrew
  #40-Dario Franchitti, Dodge Challenger Dodge
  
  
• All-Star Race Vote Close: Unique to NASCAR, the Sprint All-Star Race lineup has three spots remaining to be filled -- and on-track competition -- the winner and runner-up of the Showdown -- will take care of two of the openings. The third will be determined by fans' voting. This is the fifth year in which a driver will be voted-in to the field. Ken Schrader won the inaugural Fans' Vote, in 2004. Other fan-vote winners include Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Petty and Kenny Wallace. More than 285,600 votes have been cast with drivers like #7-Robby Gordon, #9-Kasey Kahne [SPEED qualifying coverage says Kahne is leading], #19-Elliott Sadler, #37-Kenny Wallace and #55-Michael Waltrip among the top vote-getters. Voting ends at 7pm/et Saturday [May 17th]. The winner will be announced on NASCAR.COM and also during SPEED's All-Star Saturday coverage, which includes the Showdown (green flag at 7:40pm/et) and All-Star Race XXIV. Fans can vote on NASCAR.COM, not sure where Patrick Carpentier stands in the voting, over the weekend in Darlington he said if he won the vote he would "I would run naked down pit road". Also one note not mentioned, a driver has to fonish on the lead lap to be able to use the fan vote to use it.(5-16-2008) Comment here
  
  
• Fans To Decide One Driver's Entry Into The Sprint All-Star Race: Sprint announced the return of the Sprint Fan Vote, a voting competition powered by fans to award one team a starting spot in the May 17 Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Voting began April 17 and closes at 7pm/et May 17. Race fans may vote multiple times. New this year, as a bonus to Sprint customers, votes placed on Sprint phones will count twice. Voting is available through the following channels:
  *On Sprint phones text "NASCAR" to 7777 and follow the received directions (standard text messaging and data rates apply)
  *At participating Sprint stores
  *Trackside at the Sprint Experience
  Past Fan Vote winners include Ken Schrader (2004), Martin Truex Jr. (2005), Kyle Petty (2006) and Kenny Wallace (2007).
  To be eligible for the Sprint Fan Vote, drivers must have been in the top 50 in Sprint Cup Series driver point standings in 2007 or have attempted to qualify for a 2008 Sprint Cup Series race prior to March 10. The driver with the most votes who finishes the Sprint Showdown on the lead lap will transfer to the prestigious field. The Sprint Fan Vote winner will be announced following the completion of the Sprint Showdown. Tune in to SPEED May 17 at 7pm/et to see who will win the 2008 Sprint Fan Vote.(Sprint PR)(4-18-2008) Comment here
  
  

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  NEWS and RUMORS about the All-Star Race

• Humpy picks Edwards to win All-Star race: H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler named Carl Edwards as his pick to win Saturday night's Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Wheeler revealed his selection today in uptown Charlotte with assistance from a pack of four-legged friends, including Princess, the back-flipping dog. "Carl Edwards is a racer's racer in the mold of Dale Earnhardt and Cale Yarborough," said Wheeler. "He will put his car in places angels fear to tread and beneath that big smile and his trademark back flip, Carl has an abnormal fire in his heart to win that I have seldom seen. Known for his promotional flair and Karnac-type ability, Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway, has correctly picked the winner of the Sprint All-Star Race 10 times in the past 19 races. While Edwards' burning determination was key in Wheeler's decision, it was the early season performance of the #99 Office Depot Ford that proved to be the determining factor [Wheeler also picked Edwards to win in 2006, he finished 4th]. In preparation for making his selection, Wheeler analyzed early season race results and studied Sprint Cup Series testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His final decision came down to a choice between Edwards and Kyle Busch. Each year since 1994, Wheeler has also named a dark-horse selection who he thinks could pull off a surprise victory. This time he's going with #20-Tony Stewart to fill that role. Good seats, in various price ranges, are still available for Saturday's Sprint All-Star Race and include the 3 Doors Down pre-race concert. Tickets start at $40 and may be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(LMS PR)(5-14-2008) Comment here
  
  
• NASCAR Rev's Up New York:
  
  NASCAR Rev's Up New York with an Outdoor Fan Festival at the Palisades Center in West Nyack on Saturday, May 17th.
  
  WHAT: FREE outdoor fan event celebrating NASCAR Sprint All-Star weekend featuring: Live Race Coverage, Race Simulators, NASCAR Stock Cars, Tire Changing Competitions, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Trophy, Games and Prizes for all ages, Pocono Raceway Ticket Package Giveaways and much, much more!
  Watch the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race broadcast LIVE on a 40-foot high jumbotron, as well as all the pre-recorded All-Star events.
  
  WHEN: Saturday, May 17th from 12:00pm/et until 11:30 PM. Coverage of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina, begins live on SPEED at 7:00pm/et.
  
  WHERE: Palisades Center in West Nyack, New York. The event is located in the south parking lot between 2 main entrances and adjacent to The Cheesecake Factory. For more information, you can go to and contact: palisadescenter.com
  
  

  ---

• Humpy to make All-Star picks Wed: On Wed, May 14th promoter extraordinaire "Humpy" Wheeler will utilize four-legged friends from the canine community to make his annual prediction of who will win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Although Wheeler has "barked" up the wrong tree with his last two picks, he has correctly called 10 of the past 19 winners of NASCAR's annual all-star event and promises a purebred prediction for 2008.(LMS PR)(5-12-2008)
  
  2008 News/Rules
  
  
• NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Fast Facts
  Location: Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.
  Date: Saturday, May 17, 2008
  Time: 9:00 p.m. (EDT)
  Sanctioning Body: NASCAR, Daytona Beach, Fla.
  Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - Special Non-Points Event
  Companion Race: Sprint Showdown - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
  
  Distance: 100 laps, 150 miles (run in four segments of 25 laps each). Green flag and yellow flag laps will be counted during segments 1, 2 and 3. Only green flag laps will be counted during segment 4. All restarts will be double file and the free pass rule is maintained throughout the event.
  
  Between segments 1 and 2, there will be a yellow flag during which teams may elect to pit for fuel, tires and normal chassis adjustments. Teams pitting will not retain their position on the race track and will restart at the rear of the field in the order they leave pit road.
  
  Between segments 2 and 3, there will be a 10-minute break during which teams will pit and may elect to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments. Changing of springs, shock absorbers or rear-ends will not be permitted. Teams will restart segment 3 in the same position they finished segment 2.
  
  Between segments 3 and 4, the caution flag will be waved and teams will be required to make at least a stop-and-go pit stop. Cars will start the final segment in the order they leave pit road.
  
  Purse: $3,308,251 (event record)
  NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winner's purse: $1,012,975
  Bonuses for the top three at the end of segments 1 and 2: 1st - $75,000; 2nd - $20,000; 3rd - $10,000
  
  Radio/Television: Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast the race live to its affiliate stations beginning at 6:45 p.m. (EDT). MRN's broadcast can also be heard on Sirius NASCAR Radio channel 128. SPEED Channel will televise the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race live. Pre-race coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. (EDT) and also includes coverage of the Sprint Showdown.
  
  2007 Winner: Kevin Harvick, Pennzoil Platinum/Shell Chevrolet
  
  Qualifying: Qualifying will be held Friday, May 16, at 6:15 p.m. (EDT). Each driver will run three laps with a mandatory four-tire pit stop. The total elapsed time will comprise each team's qualifying effort and the pole-winning team will earn $50,000.
  
  2007 Pole Sitter: Matt Kenseth, 121.401 seconds, 133.442 mph
  Total elapsed time of three laps including a four-tire pit stop
  
  Eligibility List:
  Kevin Harvick, 2007 Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla.
  Matt Kenseth, 2007 Auto Club 500, Fontana, Calif.
  Jimmie Johnson, 2007 UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400, Las Vegas, Nev.
  Kyle Busch, 2007 Food City 500, Bristol, Tenn.
  Jeff Burton, 2007 Samsung 500, Fort Worth, Texas
  Jeff Gordon, 2007 Subway Fresh 500, Phoenix, Ariz.
  Casey Mears, 2007 Coca-Cola 600, Concord, N.C.
  Martin Truex Jr., 2007 Autism Speaks 400, Dover, Del.
  Carl Edwards, 2007 Citizens Bank 400, Brooklyn, Mich.
  Juan Pablo Montoya, 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350, Sonoma, Calif.
  Denny Hamlin, 2007 Lenox Industrial Tools 300, Loudon, N.H.
  Jamie McMurray, 2007 Pepsi 400, Daytona Beach, Fla.
  Tony Stewart, 2007 USG Sheetrock 400, Joliet, Ill.
  Kurt Busch, 2007 Pennsylvania 500, Long Pond, Pa.
  Clint Bowyer, 2007 Sylvania 300, Loudon, N.H.
  Greg Biffle, 2007 LifeLock 400, Kansas City, Kan.
  Ryan Newman, 2008 Daytona 500, Daytona Beach, Fla.
  Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2000 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Winner
  Mark Martin, 2005 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Winner
  Dale Jarrett, 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion
  Bobby Labonte, 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion
  TBD, 2008 Sprint Showdown Winner
  TBD, 2008 Sprint Showdown Second Place
  TBD, 2008 Sprint Fan Vote
  
  Tickets: Tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race start at $40 and also include the 3 Doors Down pre-race concert and the Sprint Showdown. To purchase tickets, visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS.(5-5-2008)
  
  

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• Sprint Showdown Fast Facts
  Location: Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.
  Date: Saturday, May 17, 2008
  Time: 7:46pm/et
  Sanctioning Body: NASCAR, Daytona Beach, Fla.
  Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - Special Event
  
  Eligibility: Drivers not already eligible for the Sprint All-Star Race who have been approved by NASCAR for Sprint Cup Series competition and have met all other eligibility requirements. Those requirements include, but are not limited to, competing in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event during the 2007 or 2008 seasons; finishing in the top 50 of the final 2007 Sprint Cup Series point standings or attempting to qualify for a 2008 Sprint Cup Series event as of March 10, 2008.
  
  Length: The Sprint Showdown will consist of 40 laps, 60 miles, and will be run in two 20-lap segments. Between segment 1 and segment 2, there will be a yellow flag during which teams can pit and may elect to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments. Teams pitting will not retain their position on the track and will start segment 2 at the rear of the field in the order they leave pit road. All restarts will be double file with lapped cars at the rear of the field. During segment 2, only green flag laps count.
  
  3 Advance: The top two finishers in the Sprint Showdown will earn starting spots in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. A third driver will also advance as determined by the Sprint Fan Vote.
  
  Purse: $1,000,000 (event record) Winner's share: $51,525
  
  2007 Winner: Martin Truex Jr., Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet
  
  Qualifying: The better of two qualifying laps will determine a driver's official qualifying speed for the Sprint Showdown. Qualifying is scheduled for Friday, May 16, at 5:10pm/et.
  
  2007 Pole Sitter: Carl Edwards, Office Depot Ford 28.802 seconds, 187.487 mph
  
  Motor Racing Network (MRN) will broadcast the Sprint Showdown live to its affiliate radio stations with coverage beginning at 6:45pm/et. MRN's broadcast can also be heard on Sirius NASCAR Radio channel 128. SPEED Channel will televise the race live beginning at 7:00pm/et.
  Tickets for Saturday night, May 17, start at $40 and include the 3 Doors Down concert, the Sprint Showdown and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. To purchase tickets, visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS.(LMS PR)(5-4-2008)
  
  

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• Drivers to Light 'Em Up During Inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge: An all-star lineup is set to do battle in the inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge Saturday evening, prior to the Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. #16-Greg Biffle, #07-Clint Bowyer, #18-Kyle Busch, #29-Kevin Harvick and #48-Jimmie Johnson-will prove who is best at celebrating a victory. The competition will test the skill and style of each driver as they execute a smoky burnout; perform two spectacular donuts; and then continue the burnout as they drive into "Victory Lane." The winner will be determined by a combination of style points and elapsed time, and his designated charity will receive a $10,000 donation. The competition will take place at 6:15pm/et on the frontstretch of the 1.5-mile superspeedway and will be televised live during SPEED's pre-race coverage of the Sprint All-Star Race. Good seats, in various price ranges, are still available for Saturday' Sprint All-Star Race and tickets include the 3 Doors Down pre-race concert. Tickets start at $40 and may be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(LMS)
  AND The event is NASCAR's take on the NBA's Slam Dunk contest and Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby. Each participant will begin from a standing start and complete a drag-racing style tire burnout. Upon completion of the burnout, each driver will execute complete 360-degree donuts before racing to a designated Victory Lane marked on either side with traffic cones and into the "Finish Box," stopping the clock. A time penalty will be accessed for hitting lane marking cones or the end cone. The winner will be determined by the fastest time after penalties (if any) are accessed. Each driver will be in similarly prepared Richard Petty Driving Experience cars wrapped with Sprint All-Star Race decals.(RCR)(5-14-2008) Comment here
  
  

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• 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Week - Schedule of Events
  (Tentative – Subject to Change)
  Thursday, May 15
  8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. LMS Ticket Office Open (Smith Tower – 2nd Floor)
  8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. LMS Fleetwood RV Resort Open for Check-In
  10:30 a.m. NCTS Haulers Enter
  11:30 a.m. NCTS Registration Opens
  12:00 p.m. NCTS Garage Opens (inspection only)
  4:00 p.m. NSCS Haulers Enter
  6:00 p.m. NCTS Garage and Registration Close
  7:00 p.m. NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman (Time Warner Arena)
  
  Friday, May 16
  Admission: Reserved seating available starting at $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under Parking FREE in designated LMS lots
  5:00 a.m. LMS Gate 26 Underpass Opens to North Infield (turns 3 & 4)
  7:00 a.m. NSCS Registration Opens
  7:30 a.m. NSCS Garage Opens
  7:30 a.m. NCTS Garage and Registration Opens
  8:00 a.m. NCTS Rookie & Spotter Meetings/Draw for Qualifying
  8:00 a.m. LMS Ticket Office Opens (Smith Tower – 2nd Floor)
  8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. LMS Fleetwood RV Resort Open for Check-In
  9:00 a.m. LMS Spectator Gate 5A Opens
  9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. NCTS Practice
  10:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. NCTS Final practice
  11:00 a.m. NSCS Rookie & Spotter Meetings/Draw for Qualifying
  11:50 a.m. NSCS Crew Chief Meeting for Sprint All-Star Race (Sunoco Building)
  12:00 p.m. LMS Designated Spectator Gates Open
  12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. NSCS Final Practice for Sprint Showdown
  1:00 p.m. LMS Heluva Good! Hospitality Village Opens
  1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. NSCS Final Practice for the Sprint All-Star Race
  3:00 p.m. LMS Remaining Spectator Gates Open
  3:35 p.m. NCTS Qualifying for N.C. Education Lottery 200 by Circle K (two laps – all positions)
  5:10 p.m. NSCS Qualifying for Sprint Showdown (two laps – all positions)
  6:00 p.m. NCTS Driver/Crew Chief Meeting (Time Warner Media Center)
  6:15 p.m. NSCS Qualifying for Sprint All-Star Race (three laps with a four-tire pit stop)
  7:30 p.m. NCTS Driver Introductions (no parade lap)
  8:16 p.m. NCTS North Carolina Education Lottery 200 by Circle K (134 laps/201 miles)
  Saturday, May 17
  Admission: Reserved seating available starting at $30 Parking FREE in designated LMS lots Campers must vacate North Infield by noon Sunday Open 24 Hours LMS Gate 26 Underpass/Infield Open to Campers
  8:00 a.m. LMS Ticket Office Opens (Smith Tower – 2nd Floor)
  8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. LMS Fleetwood RV Resort Open for Check-In
  9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. LMS Freightliner Run Smart Hauler Challenge
  2:00 p.m. LMS Heluva Good! Hospitality Village Opens
  2:00 p.m. NSCS Garage Opens
  3:00 p.m. LMS Spectator Gates Open
  5:15 p.m. – 6:10 p.m. LMS Thunder Cup 50 – Thunder Cars on the Superspeedway (34 laps/51 miles)
  5:30 p.m. NSCS Driver/Crew Chief Meeting (NCTS Garage)
  6:20 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. LMS Pennzoil Victory Challenge
  7:00 p.m. NSCS Driver Introductions (no parade lap)
  7:46 p.m. NSCS NASCAR Sprint Showdown (two 20-lap segments)
  8:30 p.m. NSCS Driver and Team Introductions (parade lap with trucks)
  9:00 p.m. NSCS NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (four 25-lap segments)
  NCTS – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
  NSCS – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
  LMS – Lowe’s Motor Speedway
  
  

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  TV SCHEDULE

  SPEED's 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Week Broadcast Schedule
  Subject to change
  
  May 12
  This Week in NASCAR - All-Star Edition (8:00pm/et)
  NASCAR All-Star '08 - Making the Race (9:00pm/et)
  Unique Whips - All-Star Edition w/Kevin Harvick (10:00pm/et)
  
  May 13
  Countdown to All-Star (8:00pm/et, LIVE)
  All-Star Spotlight (8:30pm/et)
  Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain - All-Star Special (9:00pm/et)
  Unique Whips - All-Star Edition w/Tony Stewart (10:00pm/et)
  
  May 14
  Countdown to All-Star (8pm/et, LIVE)
  NASCAR All-Star '08 - Hometown Heroes with Wendy Venturini (9:00pm/et)
  Unique Whips - All-Star Edition w/Jeff Gordon (10:00pm/et)
  
  May 15
  NASCAR All-Star '08 special TBD (7:00pm/et)
  Countdown to All-Star (8:00pm/et, LIVE)
  NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge (9:00pm/et)
  NASCAR Sprint All-Star comedy special w/Alonzo Bodden (11:00pm/et)
  
  May 16
  All-Star Spotlights (7:00am/et)
  NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice (9:00am/et, LIVE)
  NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star practice (Noon ET)
  NASCAR Live (3:00pm/et, LIVE)
  NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualifying (3:30pm/et, LIVE)
  NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star qualifying (5:00pm/et, LIVE)
  NASCAR Live (7:00pm/et, LIVE)
  NCTS Setup w/Krista Voda (7:30pm/et)
  NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race (8:00pm/et)
  Trackside (10:30pm/et)
  
  May 17
  NASCAR Live (Noon/et)
  NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge (12:30pm/et, replay)
  Tradin' Paint (2:30pm/et)
  NASCAR Performance (3:00pm/et)
  NASCAR in a Hurry (3:30pm/et)
  NASCAR RaceDay Built by The Home Depot (4:00pm/et)
  NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXIV coverage begins (7:00pm/et)
  NASCAR Victory Lane (11:00pm/et)
  NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (Midnight/et, replay)
  
  

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• Goodyear Tire Notes - All Star Challenge:
  Number of Tires All-Star Challenge: Left-side -- 750, Right-side -- 750;
  Tire Codes: Left-side -- D-4128; Right-side -- D-4130
  Tire Circumference: Left-side -- 87.4 in.; Right-side -- 88.7 in.
  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
  Estimated Pit Window: Every 50-55 laps, based on fuel mileage (Sprint Cup).
  Notes: Teams in all three NASCAR series will run the same tire codes throughout Charlotte Speedweeks . . . this is the first time NASCAR teams will race on these tire codes at Charlotte . . . teams in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series successfully tested on this tire set-up at Charlotte over the past several weeks . . . compared to the tire codes run at Charlotte in 2007, this left-side code (D-4128) has more grip, while this right side code (D-4130) contains incremental changes to enhance durability . . . Charlotte is the only track at which NASCAR teams are scheduled to run this specific combination of left- and right-side tires this season, though teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series raced on this right-side code with a different left-side at Darlington . . . 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.(Goodyear PR)(5-16-2008)
  
  
• Burnouts and Donuts Highlight Pre-Race Show For Sprint All-Star Race: Top Sprint Cup Series drivers will prove who can execute the best burnout and donuts during the inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge prior to the Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday night, May 17, at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The timed-competition will include five drivers who must demonstrate four essential skills of any victory celebration: a tire-smoking burnout; spectacular donuts; precision driving into "Victory Lane;" and, as with anything in racing, speed. Clint Bowyer, a first-time Sprint All-Star Race participant and driver of the #07 Jack Daniel's Chevy, is the first official entry for the inaugural event. Other participants will be announced at a later date. The Pennzoil Victory Challenge will take place on the frontstretch of the 1.5-mile superspeedway at 6:15 p.m., just prior to the start of the Sprint Showdown. Each driver will be in similarly prepared Richard Petty Driving Experience cars wrapped with Sprint All-Star Race decals. A $10,000 donation will be made to the winner's designated charity. The inaugural Pennzoil Victory Challenge will be televised live during SPEED Channel's pre-race coverage of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.(LMS PR)(4-23-2008) Comment here
  
  
• All-star race will stay in Charlotte for now: Sprint Cup officials have changed the name and logo for the annual all-star race, added a few laps to each segment and indicated that the race will remain in Charlotte [NC] beyond this season. The race will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race XXIV. The event was previously known as the Challenge, but officials say they decided to call it what it is - a race. The race involving drivers not already qualified for the event, previously known as the Nextel Open, will now be called the Sprint Showdown. While the all-star race will still feature four segments, the former 20-lap segments have been lengthened to 25 laps each, giving drivers more time to actually race. The race, held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway, appears to be staying at the track for some time. Sprint Cup Director of Marketing Dean Kessel said that he and Lowe's Motor Speedway President H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler have been in discussion about the 2009 race, which will be the 25th anniversary of the all-star event. During all-star week, the pit crew challenge has been moved to Thursday night, leaving a packed Friday night for fans. The start time for the all-star race will remain the same [Showdown at 7:30pm/et, All-Star race approx 9:00pm/et].(Scenedaily.com)(1-22-2008) Comment here
  
  2007 News/Rules, see more on the 2007 Nextel All-Star Challenge page
  
  

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  NEWSPAPERS/WEATHER/CAMPING INFO

  
  

  Local Newspapers

  Mooresville Tribune
  Charlotte Observer
  Independent Tribune
  Asheville Citizen-Times
  Dunn Daily Record
  Fayetteville Observer-Times
  GoCarolina's
  Go Lake Norman
  Henderson Times-News
  News and Observer
  News and Record
  Winston-Salem Journal
  NBC 6
  WRAL-TV Raleigh, NC
  

  Weather Links

  
  
  
  Weather Channel - Mooresville, NC
  Weather Channel - Concord, NC
  Weather Channel - Charlotte, NC
  Accuweather
  CNN
  National Weather Service
  Race Day Weather
  Weather Underground
  

  Camping and
  Travel Info

  Race City USA [Mooresville]
  North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame, Mooresville, NC
  Memory Lane Museum, Mooresville, NC
  Charlotte Review by ARS Racing
  Tom Johnson Camping Center, Concord NC
  Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
  Mooresville, NC
  ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide
  Laid Back Racing (lots of info)
  Go RVing
  NASCAR Camping
  RV USA
  

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  Race Odds

  Racebook: Sprint All-Star Race
  
  World Sports Exchange: All-Star Race