If 20 drivers are not eligible, winners from previous seasons still active on the Sprint Cup Series become eligible for The All-Star Race. All active drivers during that season become eligible, even if the field exceeds 20 competitors.
Active former Cup race winners not eligible (year of last win):
Kasey Kahne (2006)
Brian Vickers (2006)
Jeremy Mayfield (2005)
Elliott Sadler (2004)
Joe Nemechek (2004)
Bill Elliott (2003, won event in 1986, Champ in 1988)
Michael Waltrip (2003, won event in 1996)
Robby Gordon (2003)
Sterling Marlin (2002)
Ward Burton (2002)
Johnny Benson (2002)
John Andretti (1999)
Kyle Petty (1995)
Morgan Shepherd (1993)
Ken Schrader (1991)
Derrike Cope (1990)
RETIRED/NOT ACTIVE in CUP in 2008
Rusty Wallace (2004, won event in 1989, 1989 Champ)
Ricky Craven (2003)
Terry Labonte (2003, won event in 1988+1999, 1984+1996 Champ)
Ricky Rudd (2002)
Steve Park (2001)
Jerry Nadeau (2000)
Geoffrey Bodine (1996, won event in 1994)
Jimmy Spencer (1994)
Greg Sacks (1985)
Eligible drivers for the 2008 Sprint Showdown
What makes a driver eligible for the Sprint Showdown?
To qualify for the Sprint Showdown, drivers must be in the Top 50 of the final previous seasons Sprint Cup Series [drivers] point standings
or drivers who have made an attempt in the current season thru March 10, 2008
NOTE: the is unofficial, just because a driver is listed, doesn't mean they will be in the race.
- ) #84-A.J. Allmendinger
- ) #34-John Andretti
- ) #50-Stanton Barrett
- ) Johnny Benson
- ) #22-Dave Blaney
- ) Ward Burton [no Cup ride]
- ) #10-Patrick Carpentier
- ) #21-Bill Elliott (part time)
- ) #40-Dario Franchitti
- ) #38-David Gilliland
- ) #7-Robby Gordon
- ) Jeff Green [no Cup ride]
- ) #77-Sam Hornish Jr.
- ) #9-Kasey Kahne
- ) #28-Travis Kvapil
- ) Burney Lamar
- ) Carl Long
- ) #09-Sterling Marlin (part time)
- ) Jeremy Mayfield [no Cup ride]
- ) #37-Eric McClure (part time)
- ) #26-Jamie McMurray
- ) #15-Paul Menard
- ) #78-Joe Nemechek
- ) #45-Kyle Petty
- ) #6-David Ragan
- ) #08-Tony Raines [attempted a race in the #08]
- ) #00-David Reutimann [in #44 now, but Jarrett will run #44 in All-Star race]
- ) #66-Scott Riggs
- ) #19-Elliott Sadler
- ) #60-Boris Said [part time]
- ) #70-Johnny Sauter [ran some races with #70 team]
- ) ?-Ken Schrader [team moved to part time, may run for another team, like #70]
- ) #84-Mike Skinner [ran a few races in the spring, no word if he will run the race]
- ) #01-Regan Smith
- ) #41-Reed Sorenson
- ) David Stremme [no Cup ride]
- ) Jacques Villeneuve
- ) #83-Brian Vickers
- ) #87-Kenny Wallace (part time, one race)
- ) #55-Michael Waltrip
- ) #96-J.J. Yeley
SCHEDULED SPECIAL PAINT SCHEMES
SPRINT SHOWDOWN ENTRY LIST
Provided by NASCAR Statistics - Mon, May 12, 2008 @ 04:29 PM Eastern
(29 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
#40-Dario Franchitti, Dodge Challenger Dodge
#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
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)
- 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)
- 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
- 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 Lowes Motor Speedway
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)
- 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
- Key changes to the Nextel All-Star Challenge announced Tuesday:
80-lap race broken up into four 20-lap segments
Optional pit stop after first segment and 10-minute break after second in which teams can work on cars
Mandatory pit stop after third segment, setting up 20-yard dash for $1M prize
Field expanded to allow both first- and second-place finishers of Nextel Open, plus one driver voted in by fans
Like past years, rest of field consists of drivers who have won races in the current and preceding year, past All-Star race winners, plus Nextel Cup champions from the last 10 years.(1-23-2007)
- Nextel Challenges changes for 2007: Sprint Nextel and NASCAR unveiled several enhancements to the 2007 Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman and Nextel All-Star Challenge today during the annual media tour. We anticipate the excitement will carry through the entire Nextel All-Star Challenge week, said Dean Kessel, director of Nextel Cup Series marketing for Sprint Nextel. We have worked with each of our partners, including NASCAR, SPEED and Lowes Motor Speedway, to develop a format that honors the spirit of what the Nextel All-Star Challenge activities should be about.
The Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman, slated for May 16 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, will be directly linked to the Nextel All-Star Challenge, as the finishing order in the pit-crew competition will decide the selection order of pit stalls for the May 19 race. The Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman, now in its third season, will feature several new competitive elements.
New Format: The Nextel All-Star Challenges new format consists of four, 20-lap segments and features teams that qualify for the event by winning a Nextel Cup Series event during the 2006 or 2007 seasons. Additionally, two drivers will qualify for the premier event by finishing first and second, respectively, after two 20-lap segments in the Nextel Open. Finally, one driver will once again join the Nextel All-Star Challenge field by winning the Nextel Fan Vote.
Teams will have the option of pitting after the first 20-lap segment of the event, giving up their respective on-track position by doing so. A mandatory 10-minute stop will follow the second 20-lap segment. Teams will resume their position at the start of the third segment.
Following segment three, all remaining participants on the track will circle the track under caution. Each team will then conduct a pit stop under race-like pitting conditions. The order of the teams exiting pit road will serve as the starting lineup for the fourth, and final, 20-lap segment. The Nextel All-Star Challenge will be broadcast live on SPEED. Additional details about the Nextel All-Star Challenge will be announced at a later date.(DEI site)(1-23-2007)
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
Race Odds
Racebook: Sprint All-Star Race
World Sports Exchange: All-Star Race
PAST WINNERS
OF THE SPRINT CUP ALL-STAR RACE XXIV(formerly known as the Nextel All-Star Challenge and The Winston) |
|---|
| Year |
Driver |
| 2007 |
Kevin Harvick
Matt Kenseth (seg 3)
Kyle Busch (seg 2)
Matt Kenseth (seg 1)
results |
| 2006 |
Jimmie Johnson (2)
Kevin Harvick (seg 2)
Kyle Busch (seg 1) |
| 2005 |
Mark Martin (2)
Ryan Newman (seg 2)
Mark Martin (seg 1) |
| 2004 |
Matt Kenseth
Ryan Newman (seg 2)
Tony Stewart (seg 1) |
| 2003 |
Jimmie Johnson
Kurt Busch (seg 2)
Tony Stewart (seg 1) |
| 2002 |
Ryan Newman |
| 2001 |
Jeff Gordon(3) |
| 2000 |
Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
| 1999 |
Terry Labonte(2) |
| 1998 |
Mark Martin |
| 1997 |
Jeff Gordon(2) |
| 1996 |
Michael Waltrip |
| 1995 |
Jeff Gordon |
| 1994 |
Geoffrey Bodine |
| 1993 |
Dale Earnhardt(3) |
| 1992 |
Davey Allison(2) |
| 1991 |
Davey Allison |
| 1990 |
Dale Earnhardt(2) |
| 1989 |
Rusty Wallace |
| 1988 |
Terry Labonte |
| 1987 |
Dale Earnhardt |
| 1986 |
Bill Elliott |
| 1985 |
Darrell Waltrip |
| All but 1986 have been held at Lowes Motor Speedway, in 1986 it was at Atlanta |
PAST WINNERS OF THE
SPRINT SHOWDOWN(formerly known as the Nextel Open and the Winston Open |
|---|
| Year |
Driver |
| 2007 |
Martin Truex Jr.
Johnny Sauter
(transferred in)
Voted In: Kenny Wallace |
| 2006 |
Scott Riggs
Voted In: Kyle Petty |
| 2005 |
Brian Vickers
Voted In: Martin Trux Jr. |
| 2004 |
Sterling Marlin
Voted In: Ken Schrader |
| 2003 |
Jeff Burton |
| 2002 |
Jeremy Mayfield(2)
Ryan Newman
(No Bull 5 Sprint) |
| 2001 |
Johnny Benson
Todd Bodine
(No Bull 5 Sprint) |
| 2000 |
Steve Park
Jerry Nadeau
(No Bull 5 Sprint) |
| 1999 |
Tony Stewart |
| 1998 |
Jeremy Mayfield |
| 1997 |
Ricky Craven |
| 1996 |
Jimmy Spencer |
| 1995 |
Todd Bodine |
| 1994 |
Jeff Gordon |
| 1993 |
Sterling Marlin(3) |
| 1992 |
Michael Waltrip(2) |
| 1991 |
Michael Waltrip |
| 1990 |
Dick Trickle |
| 1989 |
Sterling Marlin(2) |
| 1988 |
Sterling Marlin |
| 1987 |
Buddy Baker |
| 1986 |
Benny Parsons |
| 1985 |
none |
| All but 1986 have been held at Lowes Motor Speedway, in 1986 it was at Atlanta. The Winston Open was known as the Atlanta Invitational in 1986 |
|
