2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowes Motor Speedway

2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race:

The 2009 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is one of NASCAR's "don't miss" events. This year they have tweaked the format once again and the 10 lap dash-for-cash is back. The winner of the 2009 All-Star race will once again walk away with over a million dollars.

Tickets:

Speedway ticket office (800) 455-FANS or (704) 455-3200

Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)

The Track:

Lowes Motor Speedway is a mile and a half tri-oval with 24 degrees of banking in the turns. The track is fast and even though there is one preferred groove there is still enough room on the top for a faster car to get by.

Lowes Motor Speedway is the home track for NASCAR. The majority of the teams are based within 30 miles of the speedway and everybody brings their best stuff to Lowes because everybody wants the bragging rights of winning their home race.

Race Distance:

100 laps = 150 miles in four segments

1. Segment 1 = 50 Laps
2. Segment 2 = 20 Laps
3. Segment 3 = 20 Laps
4. Segment 4 = 10 Laps

All preceded by the 40 lap / 60 mile Sprint Showdown qualifying race.

How To Qualify:

This year the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will feature 21 drivers.

There are five different ways to qualify for the Sprint All-Star Race:

1. Race winners from 2007 or 2009 (16 drivers)
2. Sprint Cup Champions from the last ten years (1 drivers)
3. Winners of the All-Star race within the last ten years (1 drivers)
4. First and second place finishers in the Sprint Showdown (2 drivers)
5. One driver voted in by the fans (1 driver)

Note that Dale Jarrett and Terry Labonte are both eligible. Jarrett was the 1999 Champion and Terry Labonte won the All-Star race that same year. However both drivers have declined.

Storylines:

This year legendary NASCAR promoter Bruton Smith has been tinkering with the format once again. This year the All-Star race will return to a final 10-lap sprint to the checkers. Only green flag laps count during the final segment and all restarts are double file so the chances of another classic All-Star finish are high.

This is what the All-Star race is all about. The 2009 All-Star race promises to be a good one.

Media Coverage:

TV: SPEED Saturday, May 16th, 7:00PM Eastern.

Radio: PRN and SIRIUS Satellite

Recent Events:

2008 Winner: Kasey Kahne

Last Year:

Kasey Kahne qualified for the 2008 Sprint All-Star Race by winning the fan vote. He was the last driver to make it into the show but he made the most of his opportunity and claimed the 2008 All-Star Race.

Kahne got to the lead by taking fuel-only during the final round of pit stops. The longer 25 lap final segment seemed to even out tire strategy making track position king. Kahne held off a couple of late race challengers to claim the million-dollar win.

Predictions:

To win the 2009 Sprint All-Star race you will need a fast car, good strategy and a driver that knows no fear. The last ten laps are likely to get crazy.

Given that my pick for the 2009 All-Star Race is Kyle Busch. He has a great team, incredible talent and no fear whatsoever. There is no doubt in my mind that Kyle Busch will be in the hunt for the win at the end or on the sidelines with a broken race car.

For my backup I am going with a driver that has been knocking on the door all year long but hasn't found a win. Tony Stewart has been having an incredible 2009 with his new team. Tony has been close to the front all year long and now finds himself second in points. Saturday night could be Tony's chance to finally score a win for his new team.