NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
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| Venue | Lowe's Motor Speedway (1985, 1987-Present) Atlanta Motor Speedway (1986) |
| Corporate sponsor | Sprint |
| First race | 1985 |
| Distance | 150 miles |
| Number of laps | 100 (Four 25-lap "quarters") |
| Previous names | The Winston (1985-1993, 1997-2003) The Winston Select (1994-1996) NEXTEL All-Star Challenge (2004-2007) |
The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, formerly known as The Winston until 2004, then the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge from 2004 until 2007, is a race open to race winners (either as a driver or a car owner) from the previous season as well as the current season, plus the past ten event winners and past decade's Cup Series champions. Drivers are also eligible if they are one of the top two finishers in the Sprint Showdown qualifying race (a 40-lap race in two 20-lap segments for drivers not qualified for the main event) or remain on the lead lap in the Sprint Showdown and get the most votes. There used to be another qualifying race following the Open known as the No Bull Sprint. Since 2003, only one qualifying race has been run. The following year, a fan vote was put into place to determine the second transfer driver. Michael Waltrip became the first driver to win the All-Star race after transferring in from a qualifying race in 1996. The first running of the race was held in 1985 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (formerly the Charlotte Motor Speedway) and has been run there every year except in 1986 when it was run at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Due to the nature of the race (only winning counts, and no points are rewarded regardless of finishing position), drivers often make crazy and reckless moves not seen in other races, and crashes are frequent - it is not uncommon to see less than half the starting grid finishing at the end.
The race has a unique format, which changes frequently. The format adopted in 2007 is made of four identical segments, or "quarters," with the fourth quarter having a rule where caution laps do not count. More about the format can be found below.
Former Sprint Cup and Sprint All-Star champions are also eligible for the race. Until 2001, the rule restricted only champions of the past five Sprint All Star Challenge events, but in 2005, the rule became the winners in the past ten years of either the Sprint Cup or the Sprint All-Star Race. The Sprint Showdown was restricted to the top 50 drivers in either the final standings of the previous year or current standings in the current year.
In 2004, NEXTEL, predecessor to Sprint, added a vote of race spectators, internet users and Sprint cellphone users to add one additional driver not in the field, but in the Sprint Showdown, and finishing on the lead lap, to the final starting field.
For the 2008 race, the event's name change also will feature the use of the edition of the race in Roman numerals for the first time, with the 2008 race's official name the "Sprint All-Star Race XXIV". Also, the fan entry driver was changed, with the new formula coming from those attending races up to that point, Sprint retail locations and double votes from Sprint subscribers.
[edit] Past Winners by Race Format
[edit] One segment (1985-1986)
The 12 race winners from 1984 participated in the inaugural The Winston at then-Charlotte Motor Speedway. The race was 70 laps with one pit stop, and held the day before the Coca-Cola 600. A $10,000 bonus was paid to the leader of Lap 20 for leading that lap. Terry Labonte won that bonus.
The race moved to Atlanta International Raceway in 1986, with a 200 kilometer format of 83 laps (126.326 miles) on Mother's Day, a day typically avoided on the NASCAR calendar. Like its previous counterpart, green flag pit stops were mandatory, and only winners from the 1985 season were eligible. Since there were only nine different drivers to win a race in 1985, the highest placed non-winner in final 1985 points, Geoffrey Bodine, was added to the field. A 100-lap (152.2 miles) consolation race for the non-race winners of 1985, the Atlanta Invitational was held the same day. It featured only thirteen participants, and was won by Benny Parsons. A lackluster crowd of only 18,500 attended the second edition of The Winston, with only twenty-three cars racing in the two races combined.
[edit] Three Segments - 75 Laps, 50 Laps, 10 Green Laps (1987-1989)
The race returned to Charlotte with a new 135-lap (202.5 mile), three-segment format which reflected on NASCAR's short-track roots. A new date was introduced, the weekend before the Coca-Cola 600, which gave teams a popular two weeks of festivities at what is generally considered most teams' home track. Live national television coverage on ABC would also be featured for the first of four years. This format consisted of a 75-lap first segment, with a mandatory green flag pit stop, a 50-lap second segment, and a 10-green flag lap final sprint. Each segment would be separated by a ten-minute break.
In addition to the race format, the method for choosing participants changed. The 20-driver field consisted of the past nineteen race winners, regardless of season. The remaining drivers would participate in a 100-lap, last-chance race, the Winston Open, with the winner advancing to the final starting position.
In 1989, qualifying for the starting lineup for The Winston changed to a three-lap time trial, with a two-tire pit stop in the middle.
- Segment 1: 75 Laps / Mandatory green-flag pit stop
- Segment 2: 50 Laps
- Segment 3: 10 Green Flag Laps (No caution laps count)
[edit] Two Segments - 50 Laps, 20 Laps (1990-1991)
After a pair of controversial dashes in the past three years which infuriated fans, the race was cut to two segments of 50 and 20 laps to prevent some of the reckless driving, giving the race its 70-lap total distance which would be used until 2001.
The ten minute break would be used between segments.
Two changes were made in qualification in 1991. First, automatic berths were given only to race-winning drivers and owners in 1990 and 1991 up until The Winston. Second, The Winston Open was reduced to 50 laps, with the winner automatically advancing to the Winston. To guarantee 20 cars in the The Winston field, the field would be filled out by the top finishers (e.g., 2nd, 3rd, etc.) in the Winston Open advancing to the main event until the field reached 20 cars.
ABC carried the race in 1990, with the Winston Open finish, and CBS carried both the Open and The Winston in 1991. In 1991, to add to the day of events, the NASCAR Legends Race was held on a quarter-mile oval paved between the Charlotte Motor Speedway quad-oval and pit area. Elmo Langley won the exhibition event featuring retired NASCAR champions and stars.
- Segment 1: 50 Laps
- Segment 2: 20 Laps
[edit] 70 Laps - 30 Laps, 30 Laps, 10 Green Laps (1992-1997)
The race was moved up one day to Saturday night, and is moved to live coverage on The Nashville Network. The Winston revives the controversial 10-lap shootout, and The Winston Open goes to a short 30-lap format. The 1992 race marked the first superspeedway race held under-the-lights, and resulted in a spectacular finish. Davey Allison and Kyle Petty battled on the last lap, and crashing crossing the finish line. Allison won the race, but spent the evening in the hospital rather than victory lane.
The 1995 race featured Dale Earnhardt's trend-setting alternate cars, which have infiltrated NASCAR in recent years as teams and sponsors will alternate colors on cars to promote different products.
The field would be inverted after the first segment, and like the previous years, a 10-minute break would be featured between segments.
Former NASCAR Champions were automatically invited to the race, as were the past five years' winners of this race.
After Michael Waltrip's win by being the last car to transfer from The Winston Open, NASCAR changed the procedure by reverting to a format featuring the 1996 and 1997 race winning drivers and owners, and then adding the preceding year's race winning drivers not yet in the field until the field reached 19, and then the winner of The Winston Open. If the number added to the previous year reached over 19, then all drivers who won races that year would be in the field.
- Segment 1: 30 Laps / Full Inversion
- Segment 2: 30 Laps
- Segment 3: 10 Green Flag laps (No caution laps count)
[edit] 70 Green Laps - 30 Laps, 30 Laps, 10 Laps (1998-2001)
The race remained at its 70 lap format, but for 1998, only green flag laps would count in any segment, not just the third segment.
The second ten-minute break is eliminated and replaced with caution laps, and cars would have the option of pitting for tires and fuel, at the expense of losing track position.
The inversion is changed to a random draw between 3 and 12 cars for the inversion after the first segment.
In 1998, qualifying for the Winston Open was changed. Previously it was accomplished with one-lap qualifying runs. From 1998-2000, the No Bull 25 Shootout twin races determined the lineups. Practice speeds (odd/even) from earlier in the day set the field for two 25-lap sprint races. The finish order for the first 25 set the odd positions for the Winston Open, and the finish order for the second 25 set the even positions for the Winston Open. In 2001, the Winston Open reverted back to single-car qualifying, best of two laps.
In 2000-2002, immediately following the The Winston Open, a 16-lap "No Bull 5 Sprint" last-chance race was added. The winner of the sprint race would also advance to The Winston.
In 2001, television coverage moved to FX as part of the new NASCAR television contract, and qualifying was changed so the pit stop took place at the start of the qualifying, and the stop was a four-tire change instead of two.
Starting in 2001, crew members were introduced together with drivers during the driver introduction ceremonies, with Fox broadcasters Chris Myers and Jeff Hammond interviewing selected persons during the ceremony.
- Segment 1: 30 Green Flag laps (no caution laps count)
- Segment 2: 30 Green Flag laps (no caution laps count) / Pit stops optional (cars lose track position if they pit)
- Segment 3: 10 Green Flag laps (no caution laps count)
[edit] 90 Laps - 40 Laps, 30 Laps, 20 Green Laps - With Elimination (2002-2003)
The popularity of the reality show Survivor influenced Winston to make changes to the format in 2002, adding a new elimination format ("Survival of the Fastest"), and the final segment returns to 20 laps to make tire wear an issue.
Only race winning drivers and owners from 2001 would be in the field, and all former Cup titleholders and the past five winners of The Winston would be added to the field, plus the winner of the qualifying races.
The No Bull Sprint was eliminated after 2002, and for 2003, The Winston Open would become a 20-lap race with pit stops, and then a 10 green flag lap sprint after pit stops.
If the caution flag waved on Lap 40 of the first segment, two green flag laps or the next yellow flag would be run to finish the segment.
In The Winston, only the top 20 cars advanced to the second segment, and 10 cars (in 2002) or 14 cars (in 2003 planned, but was 12 after crashes) advanced to the third segment.
A green flag pit stop for four tires was mandatory in the first segment, but after Frank Stoddard beat the system in 2002 by changing four tires on the car driven by Jeff Burton just feet from the finish line on the last lap, the rule was changed to mandating tire stops at a specific point in the race.
Also, the inversion is moved to the final 20 lap sprint, and the ten-minute break is restored between the second and final segment.
- Segment 1: 40 Laps / Must take a four-tire pit stop during race (In 2003, must be between Laps 10-30) / only top 20 cars advance.
- Segment 2: 30 Laps / Only 14 cars (2003) / 10 cars (2002) advance / full field inversion at end of segment
- Segment 3: 20 Green Flag Laps (no caution laps count)
[edit] 90 Laps - 40 Laps, 30 Laps, 20 Green Laps (2004-2006)
The Nextel All-Star Challenge, uses the established unofficial "All-Star" moniker fans used for years when referring to the race without its tobacco reference as an official title. The format was changed slightly while the race stayed at 90 laps.
The elimination was eliminated, 1998-2001 inversion and second segment to third segment break rules were restored, meaning a random inversion and an open pit road for the final break instead of a ten-minute break.
The four tire stop is now between Laps 13 and 16.
- Segment 1: 40 Laps / with random inversion (6-12) at end of segment / 10 Minute Break
- Segment 2: 30 Laps / Pit stops optional (cars lose track position if they pit)
- Segment 3: 20 Green Flag Laps (no caution laps count)
[edit] 80 Laps: Four 20-Lap Quarters (2007)
Starting with the 2007 race, held May 19, 2007, there were major changes.
Announced during the Media Tour in Charlotte on January 23, 2007, the annual Pit Crew Challenge, held May 16, 2007 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, won by Ryan Newman's crew in 2007, not only gave each member of the crew $10,000 each, but gave the driver the first choice of pit box, instead of the usual post-qualifying selection. The unique three-lap qualifying (with a pit stop to change four tires) remained in place to determine the starting lineup, with $50,000 for the winner, $10,000 for second, and $5,000 for third, with the pit crew receiving half of the winner's share.
Three drivers from the Nextel Open event, a 40-lap race with two 20-lap segments, gained entry to the Challenge. The top two finishers of the Open plus the leading fan vote winner still on the lead lap joined the automatic entries from past decade's All-Star race winners and active Cup Champions, along with the winners of the previous year's and first eleven Nextel Cup races of the current season. Winners of those first eleven races in that season were also eligible for the following season's All-Star event. In addition, as part of NASCAR's new television agreements, coverage was moved from FX to Fox sibling network Speed. The race format also changed as well.
The main race was shortened to eighty laps with four twenty-lap segments (or "quarters" like in football or basketball; only green flag laps will count in the final quarter). After the first segment, a five-lap caution period starts and there is an opportunity for drivers to take an optional pit stop. After the second segment, there is a ten minute "halftime" break so pit crews can make adjustments. Unlike past events though, there is no inversion of the field. Finally, after the third segment, there is a five lap caution period so team can make a required pit stop (for work on their cars or a "stop and go" akin to a speeding penalty on pit row) for all teams which will determine the running order before the Dash for Cash, namely the $1 million (US) grand prize.
- First quarter: 20 laps / optional pit stop during five-lap caution period. $75,000 for the winner, $20,000 for second, and $10,000 for third.
- Second quarter: 20 laps / ten minute "halftime" break to make adjustments; no inversion of the field. $75,000 for the winner, $20,000 for second, and $10,000 for third.
- Third quarter: 20 laps / mandatory pit stop (or "stop and go" in 2007) during five-lap caution period.
- Fourth quarter: 20 green flag laps.
[edit] 100 Laps: Four 25-Lap Quarters (2008)
The changes to Sprint All-Star Race XXIV from XXIII is not only the name change with Roman numerials akin to the Super Bowl, and the first All-Star Race utilizing the Car of Tomorrow template, but also an expansion of the race by 25%. Each quarter will now have five more laps to race, which changes the complexion of each segment, as tire wear will become a greater factor as fuel and tire wear will be an issue throughout the race. The 2007 race with its 20-lap segments was treated more of a sprint race; the 2008 race with 25-lap segments will mean a car will use nearly a half tank of fuel and cycle the tires through one half of a tire run.
It also changes the final pit stop as all cars will have to pit for fuel and tires since a stop and go during the mandatory pit stop will virtually be impossible because it will be very close to the limit (about 55-60 laps) for fuel, and tire wear will be an issue as cars will have to be set up for a fairly long run.
The qualifying race also featured a name change, to the Sprint Showdown. All prize monies remained unchanged for this year's race.
[edit] Past winners
[edit] The Winston/NEXTEL All-Star Challenge/Sprint All-Star Race
NOTE: The practice of using Roman numerals with this race begins officially with Sprint All-Star Race XXIV in 2008, but the previous 23 races have been designated with the official Roman numeral designation that starts with the 2008 season.
| Edition | Year | Date | Driver | Car Make | Winner's Prize (USD) |
Distance (miles) |
Average Speed (mph) |
Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Winston | ||||||||
| I | 1985 | May 25 |  Darrell Waltrip |
Chevrolet | $20,000 | 105 | 161.184 | Junior Johnson Racing |
| The Winston (Atlanta International Raceway) | ||||||||
| II | 1986 | May 11 | .svg/22px-Flag_of_Georgia_(U.S._state).svg.png){kind=small} Bill Elliott |
Ford | $240,000 | 126.3 | 159.123 | Melling Racing |
| The Winston | ||||||||
| III | 1987 | May 17 |  Dale Earnhardt |
Chevrolet | $200,000 | 202.5 | 153.023 | Richard Childress Racing |
| IV | 1988 | May 22 |  Terry Labonte |
Chevrolet | $200,000 | 202.5 | 139.228 | Junior Johnson Racing (2) |
| V | 1989 | May 21 |  Rusty Wallace |
Pontiac | $240,000 | 202.5 | 133.150 | Blue Max Racing |
| VI | 1990 | May 20 | Dale Earnhardt (2) |
Chevrolet | $325,000 | 105 | 163.001 | Richard Childress Racing (2) |
| VII | 1991 | May 19 |  Davey Allison |
Ford | $325,000 | 105 | 168.75 | Robert Yates Racing |
| VIII | 1992 | May 16 | Davey Allison (2) |
Ford | $300,000 | 105 | 132.678 | Robert Yates Racing (2) |
| IX | 1993 | May 22 | Dale Earnhardt (3) |
Chevrolet | $222,500 | 105 | 139.690 | Richard Childress Racing (3) |
| The Winston Select | ||||||||
| X | 1994 | May 21 |  Geoffrey Bodine |
Ford | $250,000 | 105 | 115.561 | Geoff Bodine Racing |
| XI | 1995 | May 22 |  Jeff Gordon |
Chevrolet | $300,000 | 105 | 148.410 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| XII | 1996 | May 20 | Michael Waltrip |
Ford | $211,200 | 105 | 162.721 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| The Winston | ||||||||
| XIII | 1997 | May 17 | Jeff Gordon (2) |
Chevrolet | $207,500 | 105 | 157.895 | Hendrick Motorsports (2) |
| XIV | 1998 | May 16 |  Mark Martin |
Ford | $257,500 | 105 | 142.084 | Roush Racing |
| XV | 1999 | May 22 | Terry Labonte (2) |
Chevrolet | $297,500 | 105 | Hendrick Motorsports (3) | |
| XVI | 2000 | May 20 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr. |
Chevrolet | $515,000 | 105 | 167.035 | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. |
| XVII | 2001 | May 19 | Jeff Gordon (3) |
Chevrolet | $515,000 | 105 | 185.022 | Hendrick Motorsports (4) |
| XVIII | 2002 | May 18 |  Ryan Newman |
Ford | $794,326 | 135 | 110.005 | Penske Racing |
| XIX | 2003 | May 17 | Jimmie Johnson |
Chevrolet | $1,017,604 | 135 | 133.297 | Hendrick Motorsports (5) |
| NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge | ||||||||
| XX | 2004 | May 22 |  Matt Kenseth |
Ford | $1,044,000 | 135 | 91.889 | Roush Racing (2) |
| XXI | 2005 | May 21 | Mark Martin (2) |
Ford | $1,101,325 | 135 | 113.951 | Roush Racing (3) |
| XXII | 2006 | May 20 | Jimmie Johnson(2) |
Chevrolet | $1,055,007 | 135 | 103.290 | Hendrick Motorsports (6) |
| XXIII | 2007 | May 19 | Kevin Harvick |
Chevrolet | $1,031,539 | 120 | 89.091 | Richard Childress Racing (4) |
| NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race | ||||||||
| XXIV | 2008 | May 17 |  Kasey Kahne |
Dodge | $1,037,935 | 150 | 120.113 | Gillett Evernham Motorsports |
A full-field rundown from the 2007 race can be found here.
[edit] Winston Open/NEXTEL Open/Sprint Showdown
[edit] No Bull 5 Sprint
A single 16-lap sprint race following the Winston Open. It served as a last-chance race to secure one last starting position for the main event, The Winston.
| Year | Date | Driver | Car Make | Winner's Prize (USD) |
Distance (miles) |
Average Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | May 20 |  Jerry Nadeau |
Chevrolet | $ | 24 | 179.856 |
| 2001 | May 19 | Todd Bodine |
Ford | $ | 24 | |
| 2002 | May 18 | Ryan Newman |
Ford | $44,326 | 24 | 178.512 |
[edit] No Bull 25 Shootout
Twin 25-lap races to determine the starting grid for the Winston Open. The starting lineups of the shootouts were based on practice speeds earlier in the day. In 2001, the starting grid for the Winston Open reverted back to two-lap qualifying.
| Year | Date | Driver | Car Make | Winner's Prize (USD) |
Distance (miles) |
Average Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | May 16 | Jeremy Mayfield Jimmy Spencer |
Ford Ford |
$ $ |
37.5 37.5 |
|
| 1999 | May 22 | Mike Skinner Tony Stewart |
Chevrolet Pontiac |
$ $ |
37.5 37.5 |
171.826 173.410 |
| 2000 | May 20 | Jerry Nadeau Jimmy Spencer (2) |
Chevrolet Ford |
$ $ |
37.5 37.5 |
167.379 171.886 |
[edit] Past pole winners
[edit] The Winston/Nextel All-Star Challenge/Sprint All-Star Race
Starting in 1989, pole qualifying for race changed. During the three-lap run, teams are required to perform a two-tire pit stop on either the first or the second lap.
- 1985 Terry Labonte
- 1986 Darrell Waltrip
- 1987 Bill Elliott 170.827
- 1988 Darrell Waltrip
- 1989 Terry Labonte
- 1990 Dale Earnhardt
- 1991 Davey Allison
- 1992 Davey Allison
- 1993 Ernie Irvan
- 1994 Rusty Wallace
- 1995 Bobby Labonte 139.817
- 1996 Jeff Gordon
- 1997 Bill Elliott 143.273
- 1998 Bill Elliott 142.084
- 1999 Bobby Labonte 146.830
- 2000 Bill Elliott
- 2001 Rusty Wallace 140.458
- 2002 Matt Kenseth 143.441
- 2003 Bill Elliott 131.502
- 2004 Rusty Wallace 130.647
- 2005 Ryan Newman 132.306
- 2006 Kasey Kahne 132.465
- 2007 Matt Kenseth 133.442
- 2008 Kyle Busch 132.835
[edit] Winston Open/Nextel Open/Sprint Showdown pole positions
Through 1997, one-lap qualifying was utilized. From 1998-2000, a pair of qualifying races, the No Bull 25's, set the starting lineup. The use of one lap qualifying (best single lap of two) resumed in 2001.
- 1986 Kyle Petty
- 1987 Brett Bodine
- 1988 Ken Schrader 171.958
- 1989 Mark Martin
- 1990 Ernie Irvan
- 1991 Michael Waltrip
- 1992 Brett Bodine
- 1993 Jeff Gordon
- 1994 Joe Nemecheck 181.519
- 1995 Michael Waltrip
- 1996 Lake Speed 180.977
- 1997 Chad Little 181.220
- 1998 Jeremy Mayfield (won first No Bull 25 qualifying sprint race)
- 1999 Mike Skinner (won first No Bull 25 qualifying sprint race)
- 2000 Jerry Nadeau (won first No Bull 25 qualifying sprint race)
- 2001 Johnny Benson 181.257
- 2002 Jeremy Mayfield 183.336
- 2003 Steve Park 184.244
- 2004 Dave Blaney 185.058
- 2005 Mike Bliss 189.208
- 2006 Scott Riggs 186.509
- 2007 Carl Edwards 187.487
- 2008 Elliott Sadler 185.014
[edit] Race Notes
- Keith Jackson, much better known for his work on college football and ABC's Wide World of Sports, called the 1987 event, known for the "Pass in the Grass". He was the network's NASCAR play-by-play announcer until the 1987 season.
- The 1992 race was the first held on a superspeedway at night.
- Trent Cherry, a member of the #12 Penske Racing Dodge crew, did a mosh pit dance into an infield crowd prior to the 2005 race. The all-star race introductions since 2001 have included pit crew members, which has led to antics increasing between crew members as they are introduced in front of the crowd.
- In 2006, the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed a concert between segments 2 and 3. Among the celebrities that have given the command have included Pamela Anderson (2005) and Michael Jordan (2007).
- Since 2005, NASCAR Day has been held the day before this race. NASCAR Day is a charity event that benefits the NASCAR Foundation. The foundation in turn funnels money to charities supported by drivers and team owners.
- The new NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held as part of Sprint All-Star Race XXVI week, which will take place shortly after the opening of the Hall.
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