Nextel All-Star Challenge back at Lowe's in '05

CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR officials announced today that the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge, the largest all-star event in professional sports, will return to Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2005.

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The event, which features NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race winners and former series champions, is scheduled for Saturday night, May 21, 2005. The 2005 edition of the special event will mark the 20th time in 21 years the race has been run at the 1.5-mile superspeedway.

"We're delighted NASCAR has done this," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "We've worked very hard to establish the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge as one of the most popular events in sports.

"The race's unique format has proven itself over the years and produced more memorable moments than any event in racing. It's like The Masters at Augusta or the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs-NASCAR's all-star race belongs at Lowe's Motor Speedway and we hope to continue this tradition for years to come."