Open Race Thread: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Showdown - Charlotte Motorspeedway

You know, I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with the Showdown race. One one hand I liked the fact that there was a local track feel with having a qualifying race, but on the other hand I thought the addition of the Showdown was just another feed-the-hype-cash-grab. I might be right on both counts really, but let’s look at it with an optimistic glass is half-full frame of mind and feel the excitement of a local track qualifying event.

So who do you think is going to qualify and make it into the show? My answer is simple, anyone who is funded by deep pockets (i.e., Hendrick).

That then leaves the fan vote. I don’t like the fan vote really, I feel it is more of a popularity contest rather than an objective who deserves it more approach. But then again, this is supposed to be all about the fans so let them have their say.

I’d like to see the fan vote replaced by a qualifying round with pit stops with the highest non-qualified finisher getting the final spot in the All-Star race. It would certainly go a long way to promoting the ‘team’ concept NASCAR focuses on during these All-Star events.

Starting line-up is after the jump. See you on the other side.

Starting line-up for Sprint Showdown: