In previous years, past champions of the Challenge that were still actively driving were allowed to compete but only if they’d won within the past 5 years. This year NASCAR has dispensed with that rule which makes both Mark Martin (1998 Champion) and Geoff Bodine (1994 Champion) eligible.

The All-Star Challenge will also include race winners from previous and current seasons plus the winner of the All-Star Challenge Open and one driver chosen by the fans. The Open is is an elimination race held before the Challenge and allows drivers who do not automatically qualify for the Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge to compete for a starting position in the Main Event of the evening!

The race will again be made up of three segments. The first of 40 laps, the second of 30 laps then last but not least..a 20 lap shootout to the finish. In previous years, a certain number of drivers were eliminated after each of the first two segments resulting in a very small field of cars in the final 20 lap showdown. This year we will not see any drivers being eliminated, unless of course they’re involved in an accident or have a major malfunction with the car.

NASCAR should have changed this rule years ago! To often as fans have we seen one or more of our favorite drivers fail to make it to the final segment for reasons ranging from the car’s setup being just a bit off to driver error resulting in no damage…just a bad finish.

Another change is in store for the fans. In previous All-Star events, the fans voted on whether or not to invert the field prior to the final segment. This year there will be a random drawing to decide the inversion of the starting order after the first segment. There will be between 6 and 12 cars inverted for the second segment only. I wish they’d do away with this inversion business completely!



The Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge will be held at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway.