Charlotte Motor Speedway president Marcus Smith announced that there will be no changes to the format for this years Sprint All-Star Race, which is scheduled for May 21. Thats a departure from past All-Star races, which typically have some sort of new field inversion or segment change each year. The big change is that theres not going to be a change, Smith said. The race will include 100 laps run in four segments, the first of which will feature 50 laps with a mandatory green-flag pit stop at Lap 25. The second and third segments are 20 laps each, followed by a 10-minute break and a final segment of 10 laps, with only green-flag laps counting. The field for the 27th All-Star Race will consist of race winners from the previous or current years, in addition to winners of the All-Star Race and the Sprint Cup championship from the past 10 years. Two drivers will race their way into the field through the Sprint Showdown, which precedes the main event, and one driver will qualify through votes from race fans. #88-Dale Earnhardt, who last won the All-Star Race in 2000, is no longer exempt into the field, but hes all but assured of winning the fan vote, should he remain winless between now and May 21.(Sporting News), see current eligible drivers on the 2011 Sprint All-Star Race page.(3-9-2011)
