This week drivers will square off in Charlotte for the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge, a non points-paying, winner-takes-all event that will give drivers a chance to show off their skills for a $1,000,000 jackpot. It's a unique event held at Lowe's Motor Speedway that is a prelude to the season's longest race next week, the Coca-Cola 600. This year's event has a few changes in store for the drivers and their teams. The rules have been simplified to make them easier to understand, as well as to challenge the teams to be more competitive throughout the entire race.
The Nextel All-Star Challenge will consist of 21 drivers who have proven to be the best of the best in the sport by winning previous races and championships. The All-Star race will be an 80-lap race consisting of four 20-lap segments. There will be an optional pit stop for the teams after the first segment and a 10-minute break after the second segment, offering teams an opportunity to work on their race cars. There will be a final, mandatory pit stop after the third segment meant to shuffle the field one last time to create a thrilling and exciting finish.
Drivers become eligible for the race by winning a race this year or in the previous year, winning a championship in the past 10 years, or winning the All-Star race in the past 10 years. This year, that list includes 18 drivers, which leaves three spots left to fill. Those remaining spots will be filled by the first- and second-place finishers, and the driver receiving the most votes from the fans in the Nextel Open race. The Nextel Open race will be a 40-lap race among the remaining drivers not already guaranteed a spot in the All-Star Challenge.
Crew members will also have a chance to shine this weekend when they compete in the Pit Crew Challenge. Crews from the 18 teams locked into the Nextel All-Star Challenge prior to Saturday will compete in a skills challenge to determine who the best pit crew is in the Nextel Cup Series. Individuals will also be competing to find out who the fastest crew member in the garage is. Fans can attend the event in person on Wednesday in Charlotte or watch the event on the SPEED channel on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. EDT.
Two other events for fans to look out for this weekend will be the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race along with an all-new event, The Kobalt Tools Crew Chief race. The Craftsman Truck race will be held Friday at 9:00 p.m. EDT. The Crew Chief race will be a battle of NASCAR's top crew chiefs to see who the best driver is when they strap into race cars and race around the 1/4-mile section on the front stretch of Lowe's Motor Speedway. The race will not be televised, so only those fans in attendance will be able to witness the event on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. EDT.
Lowe's Motor Speedway (All-Star Race) Quick Facts
2006 Nextel All-Star Winner: Jimmie Johnson
Total Purse: $1,000,000
