New format aims to energize 28th Annual Sprint All-Star Race

NASCAR has again made changes to the Sprint All-Star race, adding an additional segment and delivering an increased importance in winning segments, the Sanctioning Body announced on Tuesday.

”The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race set for Saturday, May 19 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (SPEED, 7 p.m.), will consist of four 20-lap segments, concluding with a 10-lap sprint and a $1 million payout to the race winner. This year’s format will place a higher premium for drivers who win one of the four segments, however, as the winners of the first four segments will move to the front of the field and line up 1-4 prior to the field coming to pit road for the final mandatory pit stop.
When the drivers come down pit road, crew chiefs will have to decide on their best pit strategy, as multiple scenarios will unfold. The team that makes the best call, combined with the optimum performance on pit road, is likely to be in the driver’s seat for the final 10 laps of competition. Wherever the drivers are positioned as they come off pit road after that pit stop is where they will line up to start the final 10-lap segment.

“This new addition to the format is going to provide even greater incentive for the drivers to go all out to win one of the four segments,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “It also puts even more focus on the pit crews and how they perform during that final pit stop. The team aspect of the sport will be highlighted more than ever and it helps set the stage for an exciting race and an exciting evening for the fans.”
The eligibility remains the same from previous seasons as race winners from either the 2011 or 2012 seasons, or former All-Star Race winners are guaranteed a starting spot. The event will also include all Sprint Cup champions from the previous ten seasons not already eligible plus a fan vote.

The Sprint Showdown also returns in 2012 with the top-two finishers of that race also punching their tickets into the All-Star Race. The Showdown features every driver not already guaranteed a spot in the All-Star Race in one of the best races of the season.

Changes to the All-Star Race were necessary after several run-away finishes over the past several years. NASCAR hopes the changes starting with this year’s event will ultimately improve the racing and give fans memorable finishes like the 1992 and 2008 events.

How many times have we seen an early segment winner get mired back in traffic, unable to maintain his top spot over a long run and ultimately get involved in an accident of someone else’s doing? Segment winners will now be able to save their equipment until the final segment and hopefully have a shot at the trophy and a million dollars.

This is the antithesis to the event’s most popular format - the invert, which placed the All-Star Race’s fastest cars in the back of the field for the show’s final laps. The new rule insures that the fastest cars have the opportunity to be grouped together in the front of the field for a 10-lap dash for the cash, in true all-star fashion.

So what do you think? Are you a fan of the new format or would you prefer something else entirely? What else comes to mind - inverts? Tell us in the comments section below!