This forty lap event is broken up into two twenty lap segments with a competition yellow in the middle where teams can pit if they choose to. Only the top two drivers make it from the Showdown into the All-Star Race and a shot at $1 million.
The Sprint Showdown
Brian Vickers ran away with the lead during the first 20-lap segment in the Sprint Showdown. Vickers' Red Bull Toyota was the class if the field and he looked to be a strong contender to make the All-Star Race. However, he pitted for four fresh tires and returned to the track in ninth with twenty laps to go.
David Ragan and A.J. Allmendinger stayed out and lead the field to the green for the second segment. Allmendinger got to the front on the restart and he easily won the second segment and moved on to the All-Star Race.
Rookie Sam Hornish Jr. had a fast car and was able to race his way into second place to claim his spot in the big event.
After dominating the first segment Brian Vickers was bogged down in traffic and was not able to be a factor when it mattered.
2008 All-Star Fan Vote
The field was set except for the driver voted into the Sprint All-Star race by the fans. For 2008 that honor goes to Kasey Kahne. Kahne is the 24th and final starter in the 2008 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
The stage is set. Next up are four twenty-five lap segments known as the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
