NASCAR Announces Plans for Sprint All-Star Week

More fan-friendly events and a change to the Sprint All-Star Race were announced by NASCAR on March 17th at a press conference in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 26th running of the All-Star Race, formerly known as The Winston, takes place Saturday, May 22nd at Charlotte (NC) Motor Speedway.

Activities begin Wednesday, May 19th at 7 p.m. in the Time Warner Cable Arena with the sixth annual NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge, featuring the top 24 Sprint Cup Series pit crews. The Challenge's finishing order determines pit selection for the All-Star Race.

"NASCAR Rev'd Up" takes place Thursday, May 20th from 4 to 10 p.m.. This free event, taking place between 3rd and Mint Streets in uptown Charlotte, features live music (artist to be announced), driver appearances, show cars, and interactive activities.

Friday, May 21st is NASCAR Day across the country. Fans can purchase a NASCAR Day lapel pin for a $5 donation, with proceeds going to help various NASCAR-supported charities. There will also be a number of volunteer opportunities around the country coinciding with NASCAR Day. Find out more at www.nascar.com/nascarday.

The action heads back to the track on Friday, May 21st at 5 p.m. with All-Star Qualifying, followed at 8 p.m. by the Camping World Truck Series NC Lottery 200 race. The Sprint Showdown (7 p.m.) and Sprint All-Star Race (8:30 p.m.) take place the following night, Saturday, May 22nd, with a new twist being added to the final segment of the All-Star Race.

The 2010 running of the Sprint All-Star Race will once again consist of four segments, with an added mandatory four-tire pit stop after the initial pace lap prior to the fourth and final segment; cars will line up for the final segment in the order they exit the pits. The race format is as follows:

*Segment 1: 50 laps with a mandatory green-flag stop on lap 25 for four tires; optional pit stop between segments1 and 2.
*Segment 2: 20 laps; optional pit stop between segments 2 and 3.
*Segment 3: 20 laps, followed by a 10-minute break for normal adjustments; finishing order determines pace lap order for segment 4.
*Segment 4: all cars must pit for four tires after taking one pace lap; they will line up for the 10-lap shootout based on their exit order from the pits. Only green-flag laps count for segment 4.

The Sprint All-Star Race has provided fans and competitors with many memorable moments over the years, making it the most anticipated race of the season. The All-Star Race is a non-points exhibition race with a $1 million pay out to the winner - Saturday night racing at its best.

sources: "Fan-Friendly Activities Scheduled for NASCAR Sprint All-Star Week," NASCAR press release
"NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Adds Exciting New Wrinkle Prior To Final 10-Lap Shootout," NASCAR press release