#3WideBlog Race Preview: NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star

     The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star race is upon us again, this non-points all money event is being held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 1.5 mile 24 degree banked oval is situated in the heart of racing country, Concord, North Carolina. 

The Field Cross the Start Finish line

      
     Constructed in 1959, Charlottel was originally designed by Bruton Smith and his partner Curtis Turner, the first World 600 race was held in June of 1960. The All-Star race itself was first held in 1985 and has been run every year at Charlotte except in 1986 when it was run at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This year the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will feature 23 drivers, over the years the ways to qualify have changed a couple times however the same basic concept as remained the same.  


There are five different ways to qualify for the Sprint All-Star Race:

1. Race winners from 2011 or 2012                                                                                                      
2. Sprint Cup Champions from the last ten years 
3. Winners of the All-Star race within the last ten years 
4. First and second place finishers in the Sprint Showdown 
5. One driver voted in by the fans 

   This years format will put more emphasis on track position and pit stops, with four, 20 lap segments followed by the 10 lap sprint which follows a mandatory pit stop the guys on pit road will have to bring their "A" game for sure. It's worth noting that the winners of the previous segments will be guaranteed to enter pit road in the top 4 spots provided they remain on the lead lap through-out the event.  

90 laps = 135 miles in five segments

1. Segment 1 = 20 Laps
2. Segment 2 = 20 Laps
3. Segment 3 = 20 Laps
4. Segment 4 = 20 Laps



Edwards Back flipping from his destroyed car

5. Segment 5 = 10 Laps

All preceded by the 40 lap / 60 mile Sprint Showdown qualifying

    
      Last years race was won by Carl Edwards, which was highlighted by his "slide" through the grass which wasn't much of a slide at all, it was more like a belly flop when trying to dive into the pool. It tore the nose right off the front of his car and destroyed it. However, undeterred "cousin" Carl still back flipped his way into Gatorade victory lane collecting the 1 Million dollar purse and bragging rights till this years event kicks off. 

      Now, as much as I don't want to, I feel like I should address the question that has been posed to NASCAR Nation this week in that "Should the winner of the All-Star race get a birth in the Chase"? I feel as most people do, NO. I feel this way because as you read above only 23 drivers make it into this race, I don't feel like it's fair to have a prize like that available to the winner if not everyone can have a shot at it. Now I know some people will agree with me and some people will ultimately disagree with me, but at the end of the day a Million dollars is a lot of money and there are a lot of good drivers who don't get a chance at the purse this race pays out, so I think that if you up the anti that much and make it a Chase birth...you HAVE to allow all drivers and I don't think it would be nearly as exciting. 

     The All-Star race has created such legends as "The pass in the grass" and "One hot night", Never the less, with no points on the line and the one (1) Million dollars cash up for grabs this race promises to be a no holds barred dog fight to the end, so sit back, relax and enjoy the mayhem.