All-Star celebration begins with Pit Crew Challenge

The anticipation is building as the 26th running of the All-Star Race is set for Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway (7 p.m. ET, SPEED). The star-studded event, which features NASCAR's top drivers, once again will consist of four segments, concluding with a 10-lap shootout and a $1 million purse to the winner.

There's an added twist this year before the green flag drops for the final segment: Once the field takes a lap behind the pace car, all cars must enter pit road for a four-tire stop. The order in which the cars exit off pit road is how they will line up for the final 10 laps, placing an even greater premium on the performance of the pit crews.

In addition, the Camping World Truck Series takes to the track Friday night, with the running of the North Carolina Lottery 200 (8 p.m., SPEED).

A variety of fan-friendly activities during the week will help set the stage for one of sports' most exciting all-star events.

The sixth annual Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman gets the week started at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Time Warner Cable Arena. (SPEED will televise the competition on a delayed basis, beginning at 9 p.m.) This competition between the top 24 Sprint Cup Series pit crews features the "unsung heroes" of the sport. The event's finishing order determines pit selection for either the All-Star Race or that event's "preliminary," the Sprint Showdown. The team from Richard Childress Racing's No. 31 Chevrolet crew is the defending champion.

NASCAR Rev'd Up, a six-hour event highlighted by a concert and fan entertainment, is back for its second consecutive year. The event, free to the public, takes place from 4-10 p.m. Thursday between Third and Mint streets in uptown Charlotte. NASCAR Rev'd Up is a major fan event and features a program filled with driver appearances, NASCAR show cars and interactive displays, culminated by the free concert. Alternative rock band Switchfoot and pop-soul band Parachute, along with a local Charlotte opening act, Paper Tongues, will provide the musical entertainment.

The action-packed week concludes with the 2010 Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (nnon, SPEED). The inaugural class of Dale Earnhardt, Bill France, Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty will be inducted at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom (connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame).

The complete schedule of events for All-Star week:

Grand Opening

• Menzer: A celebration
• Fans revel in history
• Doors officially open
• Photo Gallery: Opening
• Complete story archive
• HOF: Special Coverage

SPEED Special

• Part 1: Open door to history
• Part 2: First-class look
• Part 3: Reliving moments

Wednesday
• 7 p.m. -- Pit Crew Challenge. For tickets go to www.pitcrewchallenge.com or call the Time Warner Cable Arena box office at (800) 495-2295.

Thursday
• 4-10 p.m. -- NASCAR Rev'd Up. Free admission; this event will feature a concert and interactive fan entertainment.

Friday
• NASCAR Day -- A charitable celebration of the NASCAR spirit that enables fans and partners to join together to make a difference in the lives of children.

NASCAR Day encourages fans to make a $5 donation for a collectible lapel pin which in turn will support programs that help children live happier, healthier lives.

Fans can also volunteer at a number of NASCAR Day service projects across the country. Since it began in 2004, NASCAR Day has raised nearly $8 million for charity. For more information visit www.nascar.com/nascarday.

• 5 p.m. -- All-Star Race qualifying. For tickets call (800) 455-FANS or www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

• 8 p.m. -- Truck Series' North Carolina Education Lottery 200. For tickets call (800) 455-FANS or www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Saturday
• 7 p.m. -- Sprint Showdown. The top two finishers qualify for the All-Star Race. In addition, the 2010 Sprint Fan Vote winner will earn a spot in the field. For tickets call (800) 455-FANS or www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Fans with race tickets will be able to attend a free Creed pre-race concert. The popular Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge burnout contest will also take place beginning at 6:20 p.m.

• 8:30 p.m. -- All-Star Race. For tickets call (800) 455-FANS or www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Sunday
• 1 p.m. -- Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.