Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race

Charlotte Motor Speedway - Charlotte, NC
Saturday May 19, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on FS1
1.5 Mile Quad-Oval
Weather: Cloudy, 74°F

This Saturday is the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race held every year at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This is a non-points exhibition race with different rules and setups compared to standard Cup point races. Even though the results of the race have no impact for the NASCAR championship, the drivers certainly have incentive to win since the winner receives a whopping $1 million victory check.

"There’s a million dollars on the line," said Clint Bowyer. "How do you think we’re going to race? It’s $1 million. Think about that – $1 million on the line. It’s about money and a trophy."

"For us, being an all-star and being in the All-Star Race is one of the most fun things we get to do each year,'" said Kyle Busch. "I'd say the Clash is another one of those and, with the All-Star Race, they are certainly two fun races where we get a chance to go after just a win and bring home the checkers or end up on the wrecker. It's an exciting night and there's a lot of energy there. It gives you the opportunity to run that many qualifying laps in a row. That's all you're doing – you're giving it all you've got every single lap."

The Format

This year the race is set up with four stages for eighty total laps. Stage One ends at lap 30, Stage Two at lap 50, Stage Three at lap 70 and the race commences with a ten lap shootout to the checkered flag after lap 80. Only green flag laps count for the final shootout.

The race can be extended with extra laps since overtime rules will apply to the end of each stage if it finishes under the yellow flag. Unlike previous years, there will be no mandatory pit stops.

The Setup

This year the All-Star race has a new rules package for car setups. Horsepower sapping restrictor plates will be used for the first time ever at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with the intention of keeping the pack together.

Other rule changes include new splitters based on 2014 specifications, taller spoilers to increase rear drag and air ducts designed to minimize the advantage of lead cars in undisturbed air. The rule changes will increase passing opportunities and make it difficult for any car to break away from the field.

NASCAR is going all out to ensure the field sticks together and every car has a shot at claiming the one million dollar winner-take-all prize.

The Field

Unlike normal points races, the field for the All-Star race is determined through various means. The race will have 21 entries this season.

The main group of entries are all the drivers who won a Monster Energy Cup Race in 2017 or 2018. 16 drivers earned an All-Star berth for winning: Ryan Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Martin Truex Jr.

Former All-Star Race winners who are driving full-time yet haven't won a Cup race in 2017 or 2018 are also eligible. Jamie McMurray qualifies under the exemption this year.

Every season NASCAR has a special fan vote to determine one of the entries. Any driver competing with a full-time schedule who hasn't already earned a berth is eligible to be voted in. Chase Elliot won the fan vote the past two seasons and is considered to be the heavy favorite to win again.

The final three berths will be awarded to the stage winners of the Monster Energy Qualifying Open held Saturday before the All-Star Race. Any driver who hasn't qualified for the All-Star Race can compete in the qualifying open.

The Favorite

For the first time this year the favorite to win the race is...nobody. With all the new rule changes and the fact the final field will not be set until just prior to the start of the race, the All-Star Race is a total crapshoot. NASCAR has bent over backwards this year to ensure no one car will run away from the field. On top of that it is a $1 million winner-take-all event. Every driver will be hangin' and bangin' to claim the top prize, if you're not first you might as well be last.

News Around the Track

On Tuesday, NASCAR issued a L1 Penalty to Kyle Larson's No. 42 team for failing the post-race inspection after the Kansas race with an improper rear window support. Crew chief Chad Johnston received a $50,000 fine and car chief David Bryant received a two race suspension. Bryant will be allowed to attend the All-Star race this weekend since it is a non-points race.

Larson will lose the bonus playoff point he earned for winning a stage at Kansas. In addition the No. 42 is docked twenty drivers points and 20 owners points. Team owner Chip Ganassi Racing has announced the penalty will not be appealed.

Todd Gordon, crew chief of Joey Logano's No. 22, received a $10,000 fine after the discovery of a loose lug nut during the Kansas post-race inspection.

Also this week NASCAR has changed the rules for tires. Teams will no longer have to start the race with the same tires used for qualifying. Previously, if tires were changed after qualifying the car was sent to the back off the field to start the race. Every team will be issued one less set of tires for practice and qualifying moving forward, while receiving one more set of tires to be used for the race.

Enjoy The All-Star Race!

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_{Author: @chops316
Editor: @liberty-minded}

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