Eligible drivers for the 2009 Sprint Showdown

Will Run the Showdown from NASCAR (28)


1. #00-David Reutimann
2. #06-David Starr [made attempt in #51]
3. #07-Casey Mears
4. #1-Martin Truex Jr.
5. #6-David Ragan
6. #7-Robby Gordon
7. #12-David Stremme
8. #13-Max Papis [part-time]
9. #19-Elliott Sadler
10. #20-Joey Logano
11. #21-Bill Elliott [part-time]
12. #26-Jamie McMurray
13. #27-Kirk Shelmerdine
14. #34-Tony Raines [part time #37, filling in for Andretti]
15. #36-Scott Riggs
16. #37-Mike Wallace [made attempt in #71]
17. #41-J.J. Yeley
18. #42-Juan Pablo Montoya
19. #43-Reed Sorenson
20. #44-A J Allmendinger
21. #46-Carl Long
22. #47-Marcos Ambrose
23. #51-Dexter Bean [made attempt in #51]
24. #55-Michael Waltrip
25. #57-Norm Benning
26. #64-Todd Bodine [part-time]
27. #66-Dave Blaney
28. #71-David Gilliland
29. #73 Mike Garvey [part-time]
30. #75-Derrike Cope [part-time]
31. #77-Sam Hornish Jr.
32. #82-Scott Speed
33. #83-Brian Vickers
34. #87-Joe Nemechek
35. #98-Paul Menard
    
    Will NOT race in the Showdown
    
    
36. #8-Aric Almirola [have heard of no plans to race]
37. #34-John Andretti [will be running at Indy]
38. Kelly Bires [made attempt in #51]
39. #09-Mike Bliss [part-time, will not race]
40. #64-Geoff Bodine [part-time]
41. Patrick Carpentier [ran at least a race in 2008]
42. Brad Coleman [ran at least a race in 2008]
43. Ron Fellows [ran a race in 2008, road courses]
44. Dario Franchitti [ran at least a race in 2008, back in IRL]
45. P.J. Jones [ran a race in 2008]
46. #28-Travis Kvapil [part-time, have heard of no plans to run the race]
47. Jason Leffler [ran at least a race in 2008]
48. #41-Jeremy Mayfield [suspended will not race]
49. Michael McDowell [made attempt in #66]
50. Kyle Petty [no Cup ride]
51. Scott Pruett [ran at least a race in 2008, road courses]
52. #08-Boris Said [part-time, will not race]
53. Johnny Sauter [ran at least a race in 2008]
54. Ken Schrader [no Cup ride]
55. Dennis Setzer [made attempt in #46]
56. Brian Simo [ran at least a race in 2008]
57. #23-Mike Skinner [part-time]
58. #78-Regan Smith [part-time, will not race]
59. Jon Wood [ran at least a race in 2008]

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PRACTICES/QUALIFYING/RACE RESULTS

• Tony Stewart wins the All-Star Race: #14-Tony Stewart won the All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, passing #17-Matt Kenseth with 2 laps to go, to capture his first All-Star race victory, becoming only the 2nd owner/driver to ever win the All-Star Race [Geoff Bodine was the other in 1994]. Kenseth held on to 2nd, followed by #2-Busch, #11-Hamlin, #99-Edwards, #5-Martin, #18-Busch, #20-Logano [vote winner], #26-McMurray and #88-Earnhardt Jr. pole sitter 348-Johnson finished 13th after getting involved in a wreck. Just after the green flag for segment 4, #48-Johnson got loose, #11-Hamlin got into the rear of the #48-Johnson, who slid but didn't hit anything, made a pit stop and started at the ear of the field. Since segment 4 only green flag laps count, the segment restarted. Three laps into the segment #24-Gordon [inside], #18-Busch [middle] and #39-Newman [outside] were going for the lead, Gordon slid up into Busch and got turned around a after sliding thru the grass, nosed into the wall and is done for the evening. The field reverts to the order of the last completed lap, so Busch led.
  See the race and segment results on my Sprint All-Star Race Results page.(5-16-2009)
  
  
• Racing Resources Says …Sprint Cup Series
  * Tony Stewart won The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, winning $1,058,656. It was Stewart's first All-Star Race win in his 11th try.
  * Stewart Haas Racing scored its first win.
  * Stewart led only once for the final two laps.
  * Stewart is the seventh driver to win more than a million dollars in the All-Star Race. He finished ninth in the first segment, eighth in the second segment, and sixth in the third segment.
  * Stewart joined Geoff Bodine (1994) as the only owner-drivers to win the All-Star Race.
  * It was the 14th win for Chevrolet in the All-Star Race, most of all manufacturers.
  * The driver who wins the All-Star Race has gone on to win the Coca-Cola 600 six times.
  * Segment One Winner: Jimmie Johnson -- $25,000.
  * Segment Two Winner: Kyle Busch -- $25,000.
  * Segment Three Winner: Jeff Gordon -- $125,000.(ESPN)(5-19-2009)
  
  
• Jeff Gordon wins segment 3: #24-Jeff Gordon led the final 10 laps of the 20 lap segment 3 of the All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway to win it. #17-Kenseth finished 2nd, followed by #2-Busch, #18-Busch [who led the first 10 laps, then faded a bit] and #48-Johnson. #31-Burton went to the garage with engine problems and is out of the race. The first real caution of the race came on lap 2 of 20 of the 3rd segment as #77-Hornish got loose and slid into #16-Biffle, sending Biffle into the wall doing damage to the rear of the car, Biffle goes to the garage and is done for the night. Hornish pancaked the right side. Just before the caution, both Biffle and #48-Johnson slapped the wall.(5-16-2009)
  
  
• Kyle Busch wins segment 2: #18-Kyle Busch led all 20 laps in segment 2 of the All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway with #17-Kenseth 2nd, followed by #48-Johnson, #5-Martin and #24-Gordon. All 21 cars are still on the lead lap.(5-16-2009)
  
  
• Johnson wins segment 1: #48-Jimmie Johnson led all the laps in the 1st segment of the All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway with #2-Busch 2nd, followed by #24-Gordon, #5-Martin and #18-Busch. During the mandatory pit stop on lap 25, #16-Biffle was sent to the rear of the field for speeding on pit road. Towards the end of the segment, #39-Newman got lapped as he has a broken suspension part but got the lucky dog pass [lap back]. After the optional pitstop the top five will start segment 2 as #19=Busch, #17-Kenseth, #26-McMurray, #77-Hornish Jr. and #48-Johnson.(5-16-2009)
  
  
• Johnson chooses outside pole: #48-Jimmie Johnson, the pole sitter for the Sprint All Star Race, has chosen to start the race on the outside pole position. The pole sitter of any Sprint Cup race can elect to start inside or outside. #2-Busch will start on the inside pole.(SPEED coverage of the All Star race)(5-16-2009)
  
  
• Hornish Jr. wins Sprint Showdown, McMurray 2nd: #77-Sam Hornish Jr. won the Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway to transfer in to the Sprint All-Star Race. #26-Jamie McMurray finished 2nd and will also transfer into the race. #12-David Stremme finished 3rd, followed by #00-Reutimann and #20-Logano. Heard the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote is #20-Joey Logano.
  See the results on my Sprint All-Star Race Results page.(5-16-2009)
  
  
• Johnson on pole for All-Star Challenge: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the Sprint All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway with a time of 121.43 seconds. #2-Busch will start 2nd followed by #17-Kenseth, #88-Earnhardt Jr., #5-Martin, #24-Gordon, #96-Labonte, #9-Kahne and #09-Keselowski. The final eight drivers had problems, starting 11th will be #16-Biffle [5 second penalty for 1 loose lug nut] then #39-Newman [pit stop problems], #18-Busch [5 seconds, 1 loose lug], #99-Edwards [15 seconds, 3 loose lugs], #14-Stewart [left his pit after two tires were changed, had to back up for the left side], #31-Burton [20 seconds for speeding], #33-Bowyer [20 seconds for speeding] and #11-Hamlin [broke a drive shaft leaving the pit stall].
  See qualifying results and starting lineup on my Qualifying Order/Results page.(5-15-2008)
  
  
• Qualifying for the Sprint Showdown cancelled: due to rain/weather, so the field was set by the rules on the entry blank, by the qualifying draw [just for this race, not for points races]. #27-Shelmerdine will start first, but will go to the the rear of the field as he wrecked in practice and never got the fixed car presented for inspection. So #12-David Stremme moves up from 3rd to the pole position. #46-Carl Long was to start 2nd but had to change engines and fall to the rear, so #66-Blaney moves up to 2nd.
  See the lineup for the Sprint Shootout on my Qualifying Order/Results page.(5-15-2008)
  
  
• Pit Stall Selections - All-Star Challenge & Showdown: The selections for pit stalls of the Sprint All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway have been made. The pits stall were chosen by the team that won the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge Thursday night, #31-Burton, who chose stall #2, the first one available. The stalls used are skipped, starting with the use of #2, the #4, etc. Since there will only be 21 used and there are 43 stalls, there is plenty of room. The final three stalls will be used by the three drivers who advance from the Sprint Showdown, the winner, 2nd place and the fan vote winner. These and the pit stall selections for the Sprint Showdown are also posted on my All Star Race Pit Stall Selection chart.(5-15-2009)
  
  
• What happens if All-Star race qualifying is cancelled? with the Truck Series qualifying getting rained out this afternoon, rain in the area and in the forecast and delaying Sprint All-Star race qualifying......how would the Sprint Showdown and All-Star Race lineups be set if canceled? SPEED interviewed NASCAR's John Darby who said, if qualifying is cancelled, each race would lineup by Qualifying Order. So #27-Kirk Shelmerdine would start 1st in the Sprint Shootout and #24-Jeff Gordon would start 1st in the Sprint All-Star Challenge and #18-Kyle Busch would start 18th. For more on the weather, see Weather Info/Links on my All-Star Race page. See my Qualifying Order/Results page for the order the races would line up.(5-15-2009)
  
  
• Coverage of Qualifying for the Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2009 at 5:10pm/et with Sprint All-Star Race qualifying to follow.
  TV: SPEED at 5:00pm/et
  Radio: MRN Radio and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio
  Jayski.com: Jayski's Semi-Live Qualifying Page.
  Qualifying Re-Air: on SPEED at 11:30pm/et
  
  
• Qualifying Order for the All-Star Race and Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway are posted. 35 cars/drivers are listed for the Sprint Showdown and 18 for the Sprint All-Star Race. The first driver scheduled to qualify for the Showdown is #27-Shelmerdine, but he wrecked in practice, so he may go out later or withdraw, 2nd due out is #46-Long, the final driver scheduled out is #34-Rains. For the All-Star race, the first driver scheduled out is #24-Gordon and the final/18th is #18-Busch. The Showdown qualifying is 2 laps as normal, the All-Star race is 3 laps and a pit stop with the driver with the least amount of time on the run winning the pole.. See the full qualifying order on the All-Star Race/Sprint Rundown Qualifying Page.(5-15-2009)
  
  
• Sprint All-Star Challenge practice [the only practice] at Lowe's Motor Speedway is over, the top five:
  #48-Johnson 183.393
  #18-Busch 182.192
  #5-Martin 181.123
  #31-Burton 180.626
  #24-Gordon 180.481
  slowest of 18: #09-Keselowski 176.419 and #33-Bowyer 177.784
  rain delayed the practice about 20 minutes in for about 10 minutes.
  See the speeds, average speeds, laps run on my All-Star Practice Speeds page.(5-15-2009)
  
  
• Sprint Showdown practice is being over at Lowe's Motor Speedway, the top five:
  #44-Allmendinger 182.223
  #1-Truex Jr. 182.063
  #07-Mears 181.928
  #87-Nemechek 181.220
  #19-Sadler 181.026
  slowest: #57-Benning 156.585 and #27-Shelmerdine 161.435 [wrecked]
  incident: #27-Shelmerdine slid up the track and slapped the wall; #43-Sorenson did the same thing with less of an impact
  See the speeds, average speeds, laps run on my All-Star Practice Speeds page.(5-15-2009)
  
  

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  WEATHER INFO/LINKS

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

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  EVENT RULES

• Sprint All-Star Race XXV To Feature Exciting 10-Lap Shootout For Final Segment: The 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will feature a 10-lap shootout as its final segment, reviving memories of some of the event’s most spectacular finishes. NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXV, set for Saturday, May 16 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (SPEED, 7 p.m.), will consist of four segments, concluding with a 10-lap sprint and a $1 million pay-out to the race winner. Tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race start at $25 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.
  
  The 2009 format is as follows:
  * Segment 1: 50 laps with a mandatory green-flag pit stop on Lap 25 at which time teams must pit and take on four tires. Following the end of Segment 1, the caution flag will be displayed for an optional pit stop.
  * Segment 2: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of Segment 2 for an optional pit stop.
  * Segment 3: 20 laps with a 10-minute break at the end of Segment 3. Teams may make normal adjustments to their cars during this break. The finishing order after the third segment determines the final starting positions for the fourth and final segment.
  * Segment 4: 10-lap shootout with only green-flag laps counting.
  
  The eligibility standards for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race remain the same: race winners from either the 2008 or 2009 season through May 9 or any past champions of the all-star event or NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (over the previous 10 years) are eligible for the race. In addition, the top-two finishers in the Sprint Showdown, a 40-lap preliminary race scheduled for 7:30pm/et and the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote, all advance into the all-star race lineup. Kasey Kahne can thank the fans for giving him the opportunity to win the 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, as he made it into the field after being voted in by the fans.(NASCAR PR)(3-25-2009) Comment here
  
  

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  RACE TRACK INFO

• Track Specs:
  Superspeedway: 1.5-mile quad oval
  Banking: turns: 24 degrees; straights: 5 degrees
  Straights: Frontstretch - 1952.8 feet; Backstretch - 1360 feet
  Grandstand Seating: 171,000
  Pit Road Speed: 45mph
  Pace Car Speed: 55mph
  Opened: 1960
  Website: lowesmotorspeedway.com
  ESPN's NASCAR Track Guide: Lowe's Motor Speedway
  
  

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  EVENT SCHEDULE

  Thursday, May 14TH
  4:00 PM NSCS HAULERS ENTER
  
  Friday, May 15TH
  8:00 AM NSCS GARAGE OPENS
  
  9:00 AM 10:00 AM NCWTS PRACTICE
  
  10:20 AM 11:50 AM NCWTS FINAL PRACTICE
  
  12:00 N 1:20 PM NSCS FINAL SPRINT SHOWDOWN – PRACTICE
  
  1:30 PM 2:50 PM NSCS FINAL SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE- PRACTICE
  
  3:35 PM NCWTS QUALIFYING (TWO LAPS, ALL POSITIONS)
  
  5:10 PM NSCS SPRINT SHOWDOWN, QUALIFYING (TWO LAPS, ALL POSITIONS)-IMPOUND
  
  6:15 PM NSCS SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE, QUALIFYING (3 LAPS WITH PIT STOP requiring 4 TIRE CHANGE)
  
  8:00 PM NCWTS RACE (134 LAPS, 201 MILES)
  
  8:00 PM NSCS GARAGE CLOSES
  
  Saturday, May 16TH
  9:00 AM 12:45 PM Truck Challenge
  
  1:30 PM NSCS ACCESS TO HAULERS
  
  2:30 PM NSCS GARAGE OPENS
  
  5:30 PM NSCS SPRINT SHOWDOWN & SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE-DRIVER/CREW CHIEF MEETING (NCWTS GARAGE)
  
  6:20 PM 6:45 PM Victory Challenge
  
  7:00 PM NSCS SHOWDOWN DRIVERS INTRODUCTIONS
  
  7:30 PM NSCS THE SPRINT SHOWDOWN (20 LAPS / 20 LAPS)
  
  9:00 PM APPROX. NSCS THE SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE (50 LAPS / 20 LAPS / 20 LAPS / 10 LAPS)
  
  

  TV SCHEDULE

  Fri May 15

  6:00 am Sprint Pit Crew Challenge SPEED
  
  12:00 pm NSCS All-Star Practice SPEED
  
  3:00 pm NASCAR Live SPEED
  
  5:00 pm NSCS All-Star Qualifying SPEED
  
  11:30 pm NSCS All-Star Qualifying SPEED
  
  

  Sat May 16

  10:00 am NASCAR Now ESPN2
  
  11:00 am Dave Despain All-Star Special SPEED
  
  12:00 pm Sprint Pit Crew Challenge SPEED
  
  4:00 pm NASCAR RaceDay SPEED
  
  7:00 pm NSCS: NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race SPEED
  
  11:00 pm NASCAR Victory Lane SPEED
  
  

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  ODDS for the RACES

• Sprint All- Star Race - Vegas Insider
  
  
• Sprint Showdown - Vegas Insider
  
  
• World Sports Exchange
  
  

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  PAINT SCHEMES for the All-Star races

  Car#/Driver	Sponsor/Scheme/Promo	Image Link
  #1-Martin Truex Jr.	Bass Pro Shops National Wild Turkey Federation	#1 Team Schemes Page
  #2-Kurt Busch	Miller Lite Taste Protector Lid	#2 Team Schemes Page
  #5-Mark Martin	Kelloggs-Tony the Tiger/Carquest	#5 Team Schemes Page
  #7-Robby Gordon	Jim Beam - Operation Homefront	none...yet
  #11-Denny Hamlin	FedEx Express	#11 Team Schemes Page
  #14-Tony Stewart	Office Depot/Old Spice	#14 Team Schemes Page
  #19-Elliott Sadler	Best Buy	#19 Team Schemes Page
  #29-Kevin Harvick	Pennzoil	#29 Team Schemes Page
  #33-Clint Bowyer	BB&T	#33 Team Schemes Page
  #43-Reed Sorenson	McCafé	#43 Team Schemes Page
  #44-A.J. Allmendinger	Hunt Brothers Pizza	#44 Team Schemes Page
  #47-Marcos Ambrose	Kingsford Charcoal	#47 Team Schemes Page
  #48-Jimmie Johnson	Kobalt Tool's	#48 Team Schemes Page
  #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.	National Guard - Dale Earnhardt Jr Foundation	#88 Team Schemes Page
  #99-Carl Edwards	Silver and Black Aflac	#99 Team Schemes Page

  
  
  More news about paint schemes on my Paint Schemes Gallery page.
  
  

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  GOODYEAR TIRE NOTES

• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series -- Sprint All-Star Showdown
  
  Tire: Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials (Sprint Cup)
  
  Number of Tires: Sprint All-Star Showdown: Left-side – 875, Right-side – 875
  
  Tire Codes: Left-side -- D-4248; Right-side -- D-4234
  
  Tire Circumference: Left-side -- 87.4 in.; Right-side -- 88.3 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 at Charlotte, though the tires for the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series will be branded "Goodyear Eagle," while those for the Camping World Truck Series will be branded "Goodyear Wrangler" . . . this is the first time teams will be running either of these two tire codes at Charlotte . . . this left-side tire code (D-4248) is brand new to the Goodyear tire lineup . . . it has a softer compound than the left-side run at Charlotte last year and will give the cars/trucks more grip . . . this right-side tire code (D-4234) was run with great success earlier this season by Sprint Cup and Nationwide cars at Las Vegas . . . this tire set-up was tested at Charlotte on March 17-18 . . . participating in that test were Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet), Kasey Kahne (Dodge), Marcos Ambrose (Toyota) and Paul Menard (Ford) . . . 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.
  
  

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  NEWS and RUMORS about the All-Star Race

• All-Star Rookie Notes: Sam Hornish Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hornish Jr. scored a seventh-place finish in the special event and was the only Raybestos Rookie to compete in the race. He scored a second-place finish in the Sprint Showdown to qualify for the main event. No Raybestos Rookie points will be awarded in the NASCAR Sprint Showdown or Sprint All-Star Race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000) and Ryan Newman (2002) are the only Raybestos Rookies to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Tony Stewart was the first Raybestos Rookie to claim a top-five finish in the Sprint All-Star Race. Stewart placed second behind race winner Terry Labonte in 1999. Jeff Burton was the first Raybestos Rookie to score a top-10 finish in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Burton finished sixth in 1994 driving the Raybestos-sponsored Ford for Stavola Brothers Racing. Three Rookies have won the pole for the Sprint Showdown: Brett Bodine (1987), Jeff Gordon (1993), and Joe Nemechek (1994). Only once in the history of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race have TWO Raybestos Rookies finished in the top five. In 2002, Ryan Newman won the race while Jimmie Johnson finished fifth. The first Raybestos Rookie to compete in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race was Davey Allison in 1987. Allison started third and finished 12th, completing 134 of 135 laps. The best start by a Raybestos Rookie in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is second by Denny Hamlin in 2006. At least one Raybestos Rookie has qualified for 10 of the 24 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races.(Camp & Assoc./Raybestos PR), see rookie standings, history and more on my 2009 Rookies Page.(5-14-2009)
  
  
• New Amenities and Happenings at LMS for All-Star Race: May Race Weeks have arrived and Lowe's Motor Speedway is gearing up for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with new fan amenities as well as special events.
  The Nationwide Insurance Fan Pit Stop:
  Nationwide is partnering with Lowe's Motor Speedway to help race fans have the best possible experience by hosting The Nationwide Insurance Fan Pit Stop. The massive tents Located across from Gate 7 and in the souvenir lot at the intersection of Hwy. 29 and Bruton Smith Blvd. In the morning, fans can get a breakfast biscuit and coffee for just $2 and for lunch a sandwich and beverage will be available for the same low price. The tent will open at 7:00 a.m. on the morning of the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600 and close at the start of the race. On all other event days the Nationwide tent will open one hour prior to the gates and serve food through the start of each race including the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
  Lowe's Motor Speedway's Fans First Welcome Center presented by Nationwide Race fans visiting Lowe's Motor Speedway during May Race Weeks will be able to stop by the Fans First Welcome Center presented by Nationwide and get all their race related questions answered by LMS employees. The Welcome Center will provide fans with maps, schedules, refreshments and the opportunity to rent the NASCAR Sprint FanView. This is a great place for first time fans to learn about the speedway and its many amenities. The Welcome Center will open three hours prior to the gates on race days and close at the start of each race.
  Lowe's Motor Speedway Fan Appreciation Crew
  The Lowe's Motor Speedway Fan Appreciation Crew will be cruising the campgrounds in a Toyota Tundra Pace Truck passing out apparel and souvenirs to the campers on speedway property Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 24.
  Going Gold
  The retaining walls at Lowe's Motor Speedway will be gold this year in honor of the speedway's 50 years of racing. A crew of eight painted the walls this week using 800 gallons of paint and a process called "fogging" to do the job. More than 190 man hours will be put in to help ensure the walls are gold before cars go on track Friday.
  Pass Time
  Pass Time is the ultimate drag racing game show. It will host NASCAR drivers, owners, crew chiefs and regional racers for two days of taping at zMAX Dragway, May 19-20. The event will give race fans the chance to watch NASCAR drivers compete at the "Bellagio" of drag strips. Gates open at 3 p.m. and tickets are just $10 for adults with children 12 and under admitted for free.
  Lowe's Motor Speedway is the home of NASCAR's biggest back-to-back weekends with the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the 50th Coca-Cola 600. Ticket packages for both events are available through the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(LMS)(5-15-2009)
  
  
• Kevin Costner and Modern West to Perform at the Sprint All-Star Race: Actor and musician Kevin Costner and Modern West will perform a pre-race concert for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Academy Award winner Costner and his band will perform a 45-minute afternoon concert prior to the Montgomery Gentry show presented by Jim Beam in the infield between Turns 1 and 2. Admission to the concert is free with the purchase of a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
  In addition to the concert Costner will be invited to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers meeting and will serve as a celebrity judge in the Pennzoil Victory Challenge, the annual burnout contest, prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race. Costner has been a regular presence in the NASCAR community of late as part of his year- long partnership with the sport. Amongst many NASCAR related endeavors, Costner is serving as the 2009 NASCAR Day spokesperson, which will be celebrated this year on May 15th. As part of his role, he is helping The NASCAR Foundation to raise funds for its Family of Charities in an effort to help thousands of children live better lives.
  Tickets for the 25th running of the May 16th NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race start at just $25 and can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.(LMS PR)(5-12-2009)
  
  
• Sprint to Deliver Fans Live Access to Sprint Cup Series Driver Meeting: Sprint announced exclusive access to a typically-private race weekend tradition, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver/crew chief meeting. It is the first time in NASCAR's 61-year history race fans have been invited to listen live to the top-secret pre-race meeting between NASCAR officials, drivers and crew chiefs. This one-time opportunity will be available to fans prior to the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race May 16. The audio broadcast will be streamed exclusively on Sprint phones via NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile for customers away from the track and on NASCAR Sprint FanView for race fans at the track. All drivers and crew chiefs attend the meeting each week. NASCAR penalizes any driver or crew chief who misses or is late to the meeting by requiring that team to start at the back of the race, regardless of qualifying position. In addition to this content, Sprint customers also will be treated to SPEED's television broadcast of NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXV in its entirety on Sprint wireless phones via NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile. NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, an exclusive wireless phone application from Sprint, also will offer video highlights of the popular NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge May 14. These special All-Star related offerings are available in addition to an already robust set of features including: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series news; driver stats; in-car audio; radio broadcasts; and post-race press conferences. NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile is available with data plans at no additional charge. To download the application text NASCAR to 7777 on Sprint phones (standard rates apply) or visit www.sprint.com/speed for more information. Tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 16 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., start at $25 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.(Sprint)(5-11-2009) Comment here
  
  
• Fan to ride with Harvick in Pennzoil Victory Challenge UPDATE: Pennzoil is taking the excitement around the 2009 Pennzoil Victory Challenge to an even higher level by allowing one lucky fan the chance of a lifetime to ride shotgun with Kevin Harvick in the 2009 Pennzoil Victory Challenge. The second annual event is set for May 16, 2009 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (LMS) as part of the Sprint All-Star Race pre-event festivities. The Pennzoil Victory Challenge is NASCAR’s version of a “slam dunk contest” however this contest features the sport’s top talent showing off their abilities in post-race-win celebrations in classic NASCAR smoking donut style. The driver lineup has been expanded from five drivers to seven, and like in 2008, each driver will compete in identically prepared stock cars. However, this year the new format allows each driver a longer freestyle demonstration and the panel of judges will score their creativity. The driver with the highest score from the panel will be declared the winner, with $10,000 awarded to their designated charity and a reserved spot in the 2010 Pennzoil Victory Challenge. Joining the first driver announced, #29-Kevin Harvick, will be #16-Greg Biffle (winner of the 2008 Pennzoil Victory Challenge), #24-Jeff Gordon, #33-Clint Bowyer, #18-Kyle Busch and #9-Kasey Kahne. The Pennzoil Victory Challenge will be televised live during SPEED’s pre-race coverage on Saturday, May 16th prior to the NASCAR Sprint Showdown and NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. For more info on this contest and many other racing contests, see my Racing Contest page.(4-25-2009)
  UPDATE: Three-time NASCAR Champion and former Pennzoil driver Darrell Waltrip has accepted the invitation to become the seventh and final competitor for the 2009 Pennzoil Victory Challenge on May 16 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Waltrip was officially invited to compete by Shell-Pennzoil driver Kevin Harvick Friday night during SPEED’s Trackside Live from Talladega, Ala. In classic Waltrip fashion, D.W. gladly accepted and will enter this unique on-track competition scheduled as a part of the pre-race festivities for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Waltrip won the inaugural All-Star race in 1985. “Pennzoil has always been special to the Waltrip family,” commented Darrell Waltrip. “Michael and I both got to drive the Pennzoil car. The No. 1 Pennzoil car revitalized my career when I really needed it. It will be fun to burn up the track again in the Pennzoil Victory Challenge.” A new facet to the 2009 Challenge includes a panel of celebrity judges featuring 16-time World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair, NFL All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss, SPEED’s own Jimmy Spencer, plus Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of the award-winning country music group - Montgomery Gentry.(Pennzoil PR)(5-2-2009)
  
  
• 'NASCAR Rev'd Up' Featuring O.A.R. Kicks Off NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Week: "NASCAR Rev'd Up," a six-hour event highlighted by a concert with Everfine/Atlantic recording group O.A.R., will kick off activities for NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race week in Charlotte, N.C. The event, which is free to the public, will take place Wed., May 13 between 3rd and Mint Streets in uptown Charlotte from 4-10 p.m. This year, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is being held for the 25th time. "NASCAR Rev'd Up" marks the first time that the all-star race week will open with a concert. A major fan event, "NASCAR Rev'd Up" features a program filled with driver appearances, show cars and interactive displays, culminated by the O.A.R. concert. Performing as special guests will be Charlotte band Simplified.(NASCAR PR)(4-10-2009) Comment here
  
  
• Listen to All-Star Race driver meeting, pre-race conversations: For the first time in its 61-year history, NASCAR fans will be able to listen to pre-race conversations between drivers, crew chiefs and officials participating in the All-Star Race. The one-time audio feed, offered by Sprint, will take place at the 25th running of the historic race on May 16 in Charlotte, N.C. The audio broadcast will be streamed to Sprint wireless devices via NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, an application that enables race fans to get audio feeds, statistics, live televised races and more. The driver-meeting feed is being offered as a freebie to Sprint’s data customers. Sprint came up with the idea of making these discussions available, on a one-time basis, in honor of the 25th running of the All-Star Race. [print spokeswoman Kimberly] Meester says NASCAR was initially reluctant, but finally agreed.(USA Today)(3-26-2009) Comment here
  
  
• Different format for All-Star race: The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will have a different format in 2009, Lowe’s Motor Speedway President Marcus Smith confirmed Friday, but he declined to elaborate. Following a news conference to promote the second annual burnout contest and announce that retired wrestler Ric Flair would be the honorary all-star race director, Smith talked in vague terms about how this year’s format will be different. During the news conference, it was just referred to as a 100-lap event. Last year, the event was split into four 25-lap segments. “We are working on some changes that will be forthcoming – some neat things that we’re going to be changing up,” Smith said. “They’ll be exciting for the fans.” A NASCAR spokesman also declined to comment on potential changes to the non-points event. “We’re talking about some different things that we’ll be able to announce in a few weeks,” Smith said. “The all-star race has a tradition of making changes. … We’ve had great conversations and experience with the folks at Sprint, and [television partner] Speed and NASCAR. We’ll be able to talk about that in a couple of weeks.” This year’s event will be the 25th running of the all-star event, and it will include a Montgomery Gentry concert.(SceneDaily)(3-14-2009) Comment here
  
  
• NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Weekend Announcements UPDATE: on Friday, March 13th, Lowe's Motor Speedway officials, with the help of SPEED, 2007 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race champion Kevin Harvick and one very special guest, will make several announcements at the Time Warner Media Center, Lowe's Motor Speedway infield regarding the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 16.(LMS PR)(3-12-2009)
  UPDATE: Lowe's Motor Speedway officials announced that Ric Flair, 16-time World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, will serve as Honorary Race Director for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 16. As Honorary Race Director, Flair will attend the drivers' meeting, assist SPEED personalities with driver introductions for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and serve on the panel of judges for the second annual Pennzoil Victory Challenge during the pre-race entertainment. In addition to Flair's role on race day, the Charlottean will be voicing the speedway's radio and television advertising campaign for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race that will begin airing within the next 10 days. Tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 16 start at only $25 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. Convenient payment plan options and multi-day ticket packages are also available.(LMS PR)(3-13-2009)
  
  
• Montgomery Gentry to Perform at Sprint All-Star Race: Grammy-nominated and country music award-winning duo Montgomery Gentry will perform a pre-race concert presented by Jim Beam for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Saturday night, May 16, at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The duo will perform a one-hour afternoon concert in the infield between Turns 1 and 2. Admission to the concert is free with the purchase of a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Tickets for the 25th running of the May 16 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race start at just $25 and can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.(LMS PR)(1-23-2009)
  
  2008 News/Rules, see more on the 2008 Sprint All-Star Challenge page