In what has become a nearly annual tradition, NASCAR is tweaking the format of the Sprint All-Star Race to be held next month at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The latest changes include revised criteria for how a driver qualifies and lengthening the May 16 non-points event, which awards $1 million to the winner.
NASCAR expands All-Star Race field, adds laps
The revised All-Star Race format will feature 20 additional laps and a minimum of 20 drivers competing for the $1 million prize.
In addition to race winners from 2014 and 2015, the field will also consist of any full-time driver who is a past champion or winner of the event. That change grants eligibility to Matt Kenseth (2003 Cup Series champion) and Ryan Newman (2001 ASR winner), who otherwise wouldn’t have qualified.
For the third consecutive year, the All-Star Race will be four segments with a deciding 10-lap shootout, with caution laps not counting. But the length of the four segments has increased from 20 to 25 laps.
Prior to a mandatory four-tire pit stop between the fourth and fifth heats, drivers will again be ordered based on their average finish in the first four segments.
A minimum of 20 drivers will start the main event. With Kenseth and Newman’s inclusion, 17 drivers are eligible to race, though Kyle Busch, sidelined with a broken right leg and left foot, is likely to sit out.
The Sprint Showdown, which is now split into two 20-lap heats, will fill the remainder of the All-Star Race field with each segment winner transferring. An additional driver will advance via fan vote.
Drivers eligible for Sprint All-Star Race: AJ Allmendinger, Aric Almirola, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kenseth, Newman, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Jamie McMurray and Tony Stewart.
Among the notables who will have to win a Showdown heat or the fan vote: Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Larson, Danica Patrick and Martin Truex Jr.
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