NASCAR mailbag: Does the All-Star Race still matter?

When one of NASCAR’s marquee events devolves into a muddled mess of confusion, the feedback is going to come in droves. This week is no exception.

If you have a mailbag question you can submit it via Twitter or by emailing jordanmbianchi@gmail.com.

I’ve never seen been a bigger cluster**** than Saturday’s All-Star Race. I didn’t understand the silly rules going in and obviously no one else did either. Who deserves more blame: Brad Keselowski for coming up with this format or NASCAR for okaying it?

-- Marty

Neither. Keselowski’s idea for shuffling the field for the final third segment by allotting some drivers fresh tires but others not was sound and likely would have produced the desired effect had Matt Kenseth’s team not attempted to game the system by waiting to pit until the absolute last possible second.

NASCAR’s only culpability was not having a mechanism in place to correct every possible scenario that could occur, which considering this was an untested format is understandable to some degree. Series officials have since acknowledged their missteps and owned accepted responsibility, but the blame

Could the confusion that occurred Saturday night been prevented? Yes. But let’s not lose sight that the All-Star Race was still an entertaining event featuring terrific racing. The format deserves a second chance.

Why is the All-Star Race even a race any more? Everyone talks how the schedule is too long, so why not get rid of a race that no longer is unique since NASCAR changed the Chase?

-- Chris

An argument could certainly be made that the novelty of the All-Star Race is diminished ever since NASCAR began awarding almost guaranteed entry into its playoff by winning a regular season race, therefor turning every event into a “must-win.”

But though the All-Star Race may be a relic carried over from a bygone era, it still has an allure among drivers who regard the event almost as NASCAR’s fifth major. And if the choice is between adding another race to the too long regular season or the All-Star Race, gimmicks and all, then the answer is obvious.

I didn’t know what the hell was going in the All-Star Race, but any race that sees Tony Stewart get out of his still smoking car and immediately offer up one of the best quotes of the year gets my support as race I’m not going to miss.

-- Jay

Expect NASCAR to be in touch, Jay, asking you to provide a testimonial for why fans should watch next year’s race.

While Stewart’s comments may have been bombastic in nature it underscores just how much the sport will miss him after he retires. Few drivers are as outspoken and have the credentials to backup their barbs, and as evident of Stewart’s sway look how quickly NASCAR responded after he went all-in on the lug nut issue.

Since a Joe Gibbs [Racing] car didn’t win and Team Penske finished 1-2, does that mean Gibbs’ dominance is slipping?

-- Jenn

With a tricked up format that essentially penalizes those who finish near the front in Segment 2, nothing conclusively can be taken away from Saturday night except NASCAR should hire some scientists to conduct a game theory the next time it unveils a new format.

Under normal circumstances, one of, if not more, of JGR’s quartet would have been in contention -- Busch showed speed all night, as did Kenseth before he wrecked out, and Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards maintained presences up front.

But if there is a team positioning itself to unseat the team that’s won seven of 12 races this season, Penske is the best bet. Keselowski passed Busch in the closing laps to win at Las Vegas and had he not collided with a slower car Keselowski, not Kenseth, may have won at Dover. And though it occurred on a plate track, Keselowski’s Talladega victory is the only non-JGR win over the past seven points races.

When is Joey Logano going to start getting some respect?

-- Tom

Depends on what kind of respect you’re referring to, from fellow competitors or fans? While his aggressive way may have earned him a few enemies [cough, Kenseth, cough] Logano’s talent cannot be ignored, something even his peers will admit.

As for the latter, fans have made their feelings clear and that’s evident how they greet him every week during driver introductions. Will that change? In all probability it’ll evolve just as did it for the likes of Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon. But as long as Logano continues to win with great regularity, it will be some time before the fans embrace him.