NASCAR Announces All-Star Race Changes

The 2009 NASCAR season has been all about changes: introducing the testing ban, regrouping in the wake of the financial crisis and changing the entry format for the Daytona Budweiser Shootout. In addition, the North-American officials have decided to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sprint All-Star Race – in May this year – by changing its racing format.

The first and most important change of all concerns the last segment of the All-Star race, which will now feature a 10-lap sprint as compared to the 20-lap sprint race until now. Whoever wins this final 10-lap sprint race will leave Lowe's Motor Speedway with a one-million dollar check in his pocket.

The entry list for this year's All-Star race will comprise Sprint Cup race winners from 2008 and 2009, added past All-Star champions. Some additional 3 spots will be available for the drivers qualifying from the All-Star 10-lap Shootout (2) and the one participant chosen by the Sprint Fan vote.

The actual configuration of the All-Star Race is this: the event will be comprised of 4 parts. The first segment will see all the participants racing for an overall 50 laps (as compared to 20 laps until now), one 4-tire change mandatory pit stop included. At the end of the first segment, the organizers will show the caution flag for drivers to make one more pit stop, if needed.

The second segment will be a 20-lap sprint, at the end of which all drivers will be allowed to make one more pit stop (not mandatory). Then the 3rd part will also be comprised of 20 laps, with the final classification set to establish the grid for the final 10-lap sprint race. Also, at the end of the 3rd sector, all teams will have a 10-minute break to use in order to make the necessary adjustments to their cars.

Finally, the 4th and final section of the race will be reduced to a 10-lap sprint – only the green flag laps will be counted – whose classification will also determine the overall rankings.

“There is something here for the die-hard fan and for the casual fan,” explained NASCAR's vice president of competition Robin Pemberton.

“Some of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race's most spectacular finishes have come using the 10-lap shootout as the final segment, and what better way to celebrate the 25th running of this great event than incorporate that element back into the format. I think the 10-lap shootout will really produce some exciting racing at the end of the night,” added the NASCAR official.

This year's All-Star Sprint Race will be held at the same Lowe's Motor Speedway, on May 16th, and will mark the 25th anniversary of the event.