All-Star Race had about 90 troubling signs for the 600

Tony Stewart's scintillating closing rush to overcome Matt Kenseth and win the 25th annual All-Star Race sure was exhilarating, wasn't it?

While Stewart's refusal to even think about scaling the fence in company with his race team was the most sobering sign yet of his startling and continual maturation, there was a troubling thought in the aftermath of Stewart-Haas Racing's breakthrough win.

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The concern is at least two-fold as we approach what's annually, without question, the year's biggest day in racing -- the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. When and if you choose to gorge, the table's set with the Grand Prix of Monaco, covered with the Indianapolis 500 and then overdosed by the Coca-Cola 600.

You could argue that, if you did it correctly, by the time the green flag fell on the Sprint Cup Series' 12th race of the season you might be thoroughly over-indulged and in need of a nap, just when your attention needs to be at its sharpest.

And that's where we hit the issues raised this past Saturday night, because staying awake for 600 miles at Charlotte is the ultimate test that I'd say, for at least three out of the past four years, I've failed.

The first problem, though in the context of the All-Star Race is a minor one, is that the excitement this past weekend almost was completely manufactured. The race's 10-lap final segment is an affectation whose only purpose is creating a brawl on wheels, chasing a million-dollar carrot.

The world's best racers eagerly complied, and the action over the last 10 laps was among the best seen all season. Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch certainly deserved better finishes after what they laid on the table for the good of the show.

But when it's all-or-nothing, as many of the competitors stated Saturday, you would expect nothing less. (Continued)