Prelude to MCF Rac'in Reporter Jamie Lynn "ChevySSGirl"

RADIO ANSWER: Most All-Star victories among active drivers: Jeff Gordon, three (1995, ’97, 2001)
Brad Keselowski (No. 09 Miccosukee Indian Gaming & Resort Dodge) was clearly enjoying the moment several weeks ago after getting his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at one of the series’ most historic tracks, Talladega Superspeedway. During the post-race press conference his enthusiasm was evident. Then he was reminded of some more good news: the victory earned him a berth in Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
“I didn’t know that,” Keselowski said.
Keselowski is the only all-star rookie to have qualified for the event, although that could well change before the green flag drops. In addition to the current list of 16 2008 and ‘09 race winners, 2007 all-star champion Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Pennzoil Chevrolet) and 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte (No. 96 Ask.com Ford), the all-star field also will have the top-two finishers in Saturday night’s Sprint Showdown, a 40-lap event for series drivers who haven’t qualified for the all-star race.
There also will be one more driver: Whoever wins the Sprint Fan Vote, a nationwide balloting that affords one final all-star entry. Last year, Kasey Kahne (No. 9 Budweiser Dodge) won the fan vote then went on to win the all-star race.



Burton’s No. 31 crew wins pit crew challenge with record time

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Avoiding mistakes on pit road has been a key to victory in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition this season.
The same can be said of the fifth NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge, which the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team of driver Jeff Burton won in record fashion Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Continue reading Burton’s #31 Pit Crew are Challenge Champs




All Star Race Comes down to 10 laps 4-Sure


10 To Go: Short-But-Sweet Final Segment Makes All-Star Return

A note to fans watching Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race: Settle back — and hold on.
Come to think of it, same thing goes for the drivers.
The inherent and inevitable drama of the event is getting a shot of adrenaline. Make that 10 shots — in the form of 10 laps, the short-but-sweet segment that will end the 25th running of the all-star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
“From a fan standpoint, it really drives the race,” said Mark Martin (No. 5 CARQUEST/Kellogg’s Chevrolet). “A 10-lap shootout is a huge, huge deal. It puts a lot of excitement in it, a sense of urgency. I think it’s a good move. Sparks will fly once again at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.”
Continue reading All Star Race Comes down to 10 laps

 

Below From NASCAR.com

CHARLOTTE
7 p.m. ET Saturday
SPEED
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CHARLOTTE

7 p.m. ET May 23
ESPN2
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CHARLOTTE

7:30 p.m. ET Friday
SPEED
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.............................................Hi MCF Member's, Gona Watch Me ?

Next: Showdown qualifying

With just 40 laps to race their way into the All-Star Race, starting position is vital in the Sprint Showdown at LMS. Qualifying for the Showdown begins at 5:10 p.m. ET.

TrackPass: PitCommand | MRN | Speeds: Showdown | All-Star | Chat: Join now!
Charlotte
Mostly Cloudy 80°
Forecast




Making a difference one pin at a time

Celebration continues with Sirius broadcast from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. ET.
Shop: NASCAR Day



Newman stands firm on drug-testing

Newman says that everyone, from drivers to wives, should adhere.
The 'Black' List



Don't wish it on him, but don't mind either

Drivers weigh in on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s struggles so far this season.
Store: Dale Jr.


Grab your gear and go compete for cash

Carolina resident creates tailgating league and will hold tourney at LMS.
All-Star practice



Legacy created in three decades at LMS

Humpy Wheeler's attention to detail, trust made LMS must-visit.
LMS Community



Snider Six: 25th Sprint All-Star Race

Marty Snider brings you the keys to winning the big purse Saturday.
Weather Blast


TRG commits to full Cup Series schedule

Despite lack of full sponsorship, team plans to compete every week.
Big teams bad?


Make your choice: Vote for All-Star

Eighteen drivers are locked. Three more will make it. You decide ...
Showdown practice

 

WTF? no stories about dirty tony? i'm sad now

j/k, i have pictures of him all around me at my desk at work, so i'm good

 

LoL `Jamie Lynn, U R a funny Girl : ) LOL
I thought `bout it, but didn't want U 2 Get 2 X-cited & fall
`off your chair 4-Sure

R U going 2 watch the Race ? Whose your picks ?
I wish I had cable, but I'll be listening, & look'in 4 your Rac'in Report : ) Wish U & the reader a super safe/fun Rac'in WeekEnd.

 

i'll post tonight about my thoughts on the all star race and picks..i'm trying to get out of here in the next 5 minutes and it is not looking good hahaha.

 

Lowes Chevrolet on the pole at Lowes Motor Speedway


Jimmie Johnson and his #48 crew knocked off 3 laps and a pit stop in a total time of 121.416 seconds to grab the pole for Saturday night’s All Star event.

1 48 Jimmie Johnson
2 2 Kurt Busch
3 17 Matt Kenseth
4 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.
5 5 Mark Martin
6 24 Jeff Gordon
7 96 Bobby Labonte
8 9 Kasey Kahne
9 29 Kevin Harvick
10 09 Brad Keselowski
11 16 Greg Biffle
12 39 Ryan Newman
13 18 Kyle Busch
14 99 Carl Edwards
15 14 Tony Stewart
16 31 Jeff Burton
17 33 Clint Bowyer
18 11 Denny Hamlin
Continue reading Lowes Chevrolet on the pole at Lowes Motor Speedway

May 15th, 2009 | Tags: All Star Race, Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Pole | Category: News | 2 comments
All Star Sprint Showdown Lineup




1 27 Kirk Shelmerdine
2 46 Carl Long
3 12 David Stremme
4 66 Dave Blaney
5 36 Scott Riggs
6 1 Martin Truex Jr.
7 6 David Ragan
8 77 Sam Hornish Jr.
9 13 Max Papis #
10 44 A J Allmendinger
11 42 Juan Pablo Montoya
12 37 Mike Wallace
13 00 David Reutimann
14 47 Marcos Ambrose
15 51 Dexter Bean #
16 21 Bill Elliott
17 75 Derrike Cope
18 57 Norm Benning
19 20 Joey Logano #
20 82 Scott Speed #
Continue reading All Star Sprint Showdown Lineup


Top 10 Drivers in Sprint Fan Vote



HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – May 12, 2009 – Sprint announced the names of the top 10 drivers leading the Sprint Fan Vote, a voting competition driven by fans awarding one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team a position in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 16.
The top 10 drivers in the Sprint Fan Vote as of May 12 (in alphabetical order) are AJ Allmendinger, Bill Elliott, Joey Logano, Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya, David Ragan, David Reutimann, Elliott Sadler, Martin Truex Jr. and Michael Waltrip.
The top eight in the standings are separated by less than 20,000 votes and the top two are separated by less than 4,000 votes. Votes placed on Sprint phones count double, which could cut the margin in half.
Close competition among drivers has sparked personal messages to fans for last-minute support. The Sprint Fan Vote closes at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) May 16.
Richard Petty, team owner of Richard Petty Motorsports – “I guess if there is any team in NASCAR that’s more thankful to the fans, it is us. The fans voted Kasey (Kahne) into the race last year, and he went and won the thing. It wouldn’t be too bad if that happened again. I don’t care if it is AJ (Allmendinger), Reed (Sorenson) or Elliott (Sadler). Once you are in, anything can happen.”
Continue reading Top 10 Drivers in Sprint Fan Vote

 

MCF Member's: Are you going to watch the All Star Race on Speed 2night @ 7 PM EST....Who is going to Win ?
Post your Top "3" Picks.....EnJoy your Weekend, EnJoy the Race.....

Track Stats


LOWES MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Distance: 1.5 Mile Oval Banking/Turns 1-4:24º Banking/Straights:5º Length/Frontstretch: 1,952 ft. Length/Backstretch: 1,360 ft. Miles/Laps: 600 mi. = 400 laps 501 mi. = 334 laps


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Hornaday grabs 40th Truck Series win


NCWTS Recap: Hornaday Outruns Busch For 40th Truck Win
By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
CONCORD, N.C.—As strong as Ron Hornaday Jr.’s truck was Friday night, a lost lap was merely a temporary inconvenience.
Trapped a lap down after a green-flag pit stop on Lap 86 of 134, Hornaday recovered to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch survived a succession of adventures to run second, crossing the finish line 1.669 seconds behind Hornaday.
The win in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 was Hornaday’s first of the season and the series-best 40th of his career. Matt Crafton finished third, followed by Ryan Newman and Terry Cook.
Continue reading Hornaday grabs 40th Truck Series win

 

for the record: the "Showdown" race had qualifying canceled, so the initial qualifying order was set by the order in which the drivers had picked to qualify. Since the order was set, the front row has been sent to the back for the start of the race (see below). David Stremme now holds P1 for tonight's Showdown.

from nascar.com:
CONCORD, N.C. -- Light rain at Lowe's Motor Speedway late Friday afternoon washed out qualifying for Saturday's Sprint Showdown.
So the field was set according to how the cars had randomly drawn their qualifying order. That put the No. 27 of Kirk Shelmerdine technically on the pole for the event, but NASCAR ruled that both the 27 and the No. 46 to be driven by Carl Long would have to go to the rear of the field after the pace car laps (the 27 for "not being able to present himself for inspection" and the 46 for an engine change).
Sprint Showdown

Lineup
Pos. Driver Make 1. Kirk Shelmerdine* Toyota 2. Carl Long* Dodge 3. David Stremme Dodge 4. Dave Blaney Toyota 5. Scott Riggs Toyota 6. Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet 7. David Ragan Ford 8. Sam Hornish Jr. Dodge 9. Max Papis Toyota 10. A.J. Allmendinger Dodge * Sent to rear | • Lineup

So when they start racing for real in the Showdown, that will put Sprint Cup regular David Stremme, who drives the No. 12 Dodge for Penske Racing, at the front of the field.
Read the full article here


the all-star race is always fun to watch. everyone knows there are no points on the line, only bragging rights and a million dollars, so most guys will drive with the "bring home the trophy or bring home the steering wheel" mentality.

HOW DOES THIS THING WORK???

Is it two segments, three segments, or four segments? Is the finale 10, 20, or 25 laps? Is a green-flag pit stop still mandatory? Is the inversion still around? Does the fan vote still count? Are there one or two preliminary events? Are the slowest cars eliminated? And how do drivers qualify for this thing again, anyway?

the race is made up of 4 separate segments:

• Segment 1 -- 50 laps with a mandatory green-flag pit stop on Lap 25 at which time teams must pit and take four tires. Following the end of Segment 1, the caution flag will be displayed for an optional pit stop.
• Segment 2 -- 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of the segment for an optional pit stop.
• Segment 3 -- 20 laps with a 10-minute break at the end of the segment. Teams may make normal adjustments to their cars during this break. The finishing order after the third segment determines the final starting positions for the final segment.
• Segment 4 -- 10-lap shootout with only green-flag laps counting.
Note: The Pit Crew Challenge is directly linked to the All-Star Race, as the finishing order in the Pit Crew Challenge decides the selection order of pit stalls for the All-Star Race. This year's Pit Crew Challenge was won by the #31 crew (Jeff Burton, driver).



So, no inversion rule this year. that used to bring a fun element to the race. but the 10-lap shootout at the end will be even more entertaining.



WHO IS ELIGIBLE???


• Race-winning drivers from the previous and current Cup Series seasons.
• Cup Series champions from the past 10 years who are active drivers and have competed in at least one series event during the previous or current season.
• Past winners of the All-Star Race.
• Two drivers who qualify for the premier event by finishing first and second, respectively, in the Showdown (formerly the Open).
• One driver who joins the All-Star Race field by winning the Fan Vote.

ok, so..
Which drivers are eligible for the Fan Vote?

Any driver in the previous or current seasons who has qualified for a race but is not:

• A race-winning driver from the previous and current Cup Series seasons.
• A Cup Series champion from the past 10 years who is an active drivers and has competed in at least one series event during the previous or current seasons.
• A past winner of the All-Star Race.

Ok. Got all that? Good. And after today, you can forget it all, because next year's rules and format are sure to be different.

the all star race is a tough one to make picks for, for a couple of reasons. first, there will be 3 drivers in the race who we won't even know until just prior to the start of the race. (the 2 showdown winners and the fan vote winner.) second, since everyone pretty much is just thinking about winning, and not necessarily about saving the car or points, there are a lot of wrecks. so all that being said, here are my picks:

1. kyle busch
2. jimmie johnson
3. tony stewart

and for the record, i have zero confidence in any of those picks. it's really anyone's race to win. it's very exciting!!!

 

Sam Hornish Jr. won the Showdown, and Jamie McMurray finished 2nd, transferring them into the All Star Race. Joey Logano won the fan vote.

1st segment:

Green flag at 9:18 p.m. with Jimmie Johnson on the pole leading the first lap.

Lap 10 - Jimmie Johnson with a 3 second lead on Gordon, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, and Mark Martin.

Lap 25 - mandatory green flag pit stops. johnson still leads, kurt busch has passed gordon for 2nd. kyle busch loses 2 spots by overshooting his pit box and having to back up.
race off pit road:
1 johnson
2 gordon
3 kurt busch
4 kenseth
5 mark martin

Lap 33 - Ryan Newman to the pits from 9th spot. They think something broke in the suspension. He comes back onto the track on lap 35 and is right in front of leader Johnson. Johnson has caught him by lap 49 but does not pass him. Caution flies signifying the end of the 1st segment, and Newman will start the 2nd segment on the tail end of the lead lap.

race off pit road after stops:
1. kyle busch (took 2 tires)
2. matt kenseth (took 2 tires)
3. jamie mcmurray (took 2 tires)
4. sam hornish jr. (took 2 tires)
5. jimmie johnson
6. mark martin
7. dale jr.
8. jeff gordon

2nd segment:

johnson is not so good in traffic.
top 10 at the end of the segment:
1. kyle busch
2. matt kenseth
3. jimmie johnson
4. mark martin
5. jeff gordon
6. jamie mcmurray
7. kurt busch
8. tony stewart
9. sam hornish jr.
10. carl edwards

busch, kenseth, martin, gordon and 4 more stay out and do not pit.
race off pit road:
1. edwards
2. hornish
3. dale jr.
4. denny hamlin
5. johnson
6. kahne


3rd segment:
lap 1 of 20, johnson smacks the wall in turn 4. lap 2, caution as hornish loses it and wrecks biffle. biffle to the garage and officially out of the race. bowyer, newman, keselowski and hornish pit. weather is said to be in the area.
restart, busch jumps to the lead, kenseth with a slow restart. martin gets loose and loses 4 spots to 8th. the 31 of burton hits the wall on lap 10, green flag stays out. lap 12, gordon passes busch for the lead. something might be wrong with kyle's car. martin brushes the wall on lap 14. burton reports a loose plug wire and is fading. he goes to the garage on lap 17.
top 10 at the caution:
1. gordon
2. kenseth
3. kurt busch
4. kyle busch
5. johnson
6. stewart
7. hamlin
8. dale jr.
9. newman
10. mcmurray

a ten minute break where teams can work on their cars before the last 10-lap shootout.

4th segment:
on the restart, in turn 2, the 11 car gets into the back of the 48 and johnson spins but doesn't hit anything. caution is out. sice the lap was never completed, they will restart with 10 to go.

kyle busch gets the lead but with 8 to go, a battle for the lead between gordon, kyle busch and ryan newman as they run 3-wide coming out of turn 4 causes the 24 to spin on the frontstretch and hit the wall right after the start/finish line. his car is leaking fluid down he track. newman and kyle busch both have damage from the battle.

restart with 8 to go:
1. kyle busch
2. newman
3. kenseth
4. stewart
5. kurt busch

with 6 to go, newman has a tire rub and goes to the garage. kenseth passes busch for 2nd. stewart in third. kurt busch 4th. caution comes out with 5 to go for debris in turn 3.

stewart takes the lead with 2 to go. white flag in the air....STEWART WINS THE 2009 ALL STAR RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*YAY!*

Someone from the crew suggests climbing the fence, and tony says he's too old and fat to climb it anymore. his crew climbs it for him, and tony does a burnout instead