The Sprint All-Star Race will feature numerous format changes, including fewer segments but more laps than last year’s race.
The format for the May 21 event at Charlotte Motor Speedway:
— Qualifying will set the field for the first segment.
— The 113-lap race will be divided into three segments. The first two segments will be 50 laps each with the final segment 13 laps.
— Teams must make a green-flag pit stop (minimum two-tire change) in the first 50-lap segment.
— After the first segment, all teams must pit (minimum two-tire change) and the order off pit road will determine the lineup for the second segment.
— In the second 50-lap segment, teams must make a mandatory pit stop (minimum two-tire change) before Lap 35 of the segment (Lap 85 of the event)
— After the second segment, a random draw will be held to determine if nine, 10 or 11 cars must enter pit road for a mandatory four-tire pit stop. Pit road will be closed for all other cars. Cars leaving pit road will align behind those that did not pit to begin the final segment.
— Only green-flag laps count in the final 13-lap segment. Overtime rules apply. The winner receives $1 million.
The May 20 Sprint Showdown for cars not qualified for the Sprint All-Star Race also will have a new look.
— The 50-lap event will be divided into three segments.
— The field is set by practice speed for the first segment.
— The first segment will be 20 laps. The winner advances to the Sprint All-Star Race.
— After the first segment, teams must pit and change at least two tires. The lineup for the start of the second segment is set by how the cars come off pit road.
— The second segment is 20 laps. The winner advances to the Sprint All-Star Race.
— After the second segment, teams must pit and change at least two tires. The lineup for the start of the final segment is set by how the cars come off pit road.
— The final segment is 10 laps. Only green-flag laps count. Overtime rules apply.
— The final order of the Sprint Fan Vote will fill any remaining spots until the field reaches the minimum 20 cars.
Denny Hamlin won last year’s 110-lap event, which featured four segments of 25 laps and a final 10-lap segment. The past three seasons the winner has led all 10 laps in the final segment.
Eligibility for this year’s Sprint All-Star Race is any driver who has won a race in the current or preceding year, past NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race winners, past NASCAR Sprint Cup champions, Sprint Showdown Segment winners (three total) and Sprint Fan Vote winner. Final order of the Sprint Fan Vote will fill any remaining spots until the field reaches the minimum 20 cars.
Drivers eligible for the Sprint All-Star Race heading into Kansas weekend are:
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Carl Edwards
Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick
Jimmie Johnson
Kasey Kahne
Matt Kenseth
Brad Keselowski
Joey Logano
Jamie McMurray
Ryan Newman
Tony Stewart
Martin Truex Jr.
(Note: Jeff Gordon is eligible but not listed since he’s not competing this year).