We debate the format, location and much more
The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is a non-points event that has seen its format change a bit over the years, but a win carries some weight and plenty of financial gain — the winning driver gets $1 million.
But does the event need a bit of a shakeup? Does holding it at Charlotte Motor Speedway each year make sense? What enhancements or adjustments could be made? Or does nothing need to change?
Join NASCAR.com’s RJ Kraft and George Winkler as they debate whether changes are needed.
Kraft: Let’s get this thing going. I’d like to see the eligibility opened up a bit and for fans to have more than one vote. In baseball, hockey and basketball, fans get to vote for the starting lineup, so let’s give them more say in this exhibition event. Let’s say they can vote on five spots since All-Star events are supposed to be geared more toward the fans.
Even more than that, let’s open the field up to drivers in all three series. Yes, they have to run in a Sprint Cup car, but wouldn’t it be awesome to see Chase Elliott or Darrell Wallace Jr. or Erik Jones or Matt Crafton have a shot to take on the best of the best and win the $1 million prize? I also like the idea of having the two other national series champions automatically eligible for the field. An All-Star event is about having the very best in the field, while also allowing fans to see who they want to see, so let’s make it a 30-car event.
Winkler: RJ, I like the idea of bringing more power to the people, and the way you have envisioned it allows for more fan participation without completely turning it into a popularity contest. But something I’d like to mention is about the lap segments. I’ve always felt that things just start to get warmed up racing-wise around Lap 20 or 25, and the way it’s set up now with the first four 25-lap segments, that’s when it’s time to stop. So I’d vote for fewer segments that last a bit longer to let some of the drama build. However, I love the final 10-lap segment as it is because it’s like an extended green-white-checkered finish where you don’t know what you’ll see happen next.
Kraft: Part of the reason, to me at least, that the All-Star Race does not have as much shine as it could is because it is held at the same track every year, and it’s a track that already holds two points events a year. If you want to keep drivers close to home, how about some of the local short tracks in North Carolina, or bring back a place like Rockingham to hold this special event? If you want to keep the event on a track that already has a Cup races, then how about a rotating mix of Martinsville, Darlington, Bristol and Charlotte? Those sites are close enough that drivers would get close to the full two weeks at home.
Another option: Since Kansas is currently the week before the All-Star Race, could holding the event at Iowa Speedway work, since the teams are already in the Midwest? People have been clamoring for Iowa to get a race in the top series, so maybe some short-track action in the All-Star event would be a perfect test to see if a points race should come to the track.
Winkler: Those are all good ideas, RJ, especially Iowa since it’s a gem of a track, but here are some reasons for keeping the Sprint All-Star Race in Charlotte. First, Charlotte is now considered the hub for NASCAR and as such deserves to host an event like this. The Hall of Fame is in Charlotte. The majority of the team shops are in Charlotte. Heck, you and I work in Charlotte, RJ, as do many others for the company. But most importantly the majority of the drivers call Charlotte home.
The NASCAR schedule is challenging to say the least, and it has to be extremely difficult for the families of the participants. To be able to have two weeks where the teams are home is invaluable, and you can see it on the drivers’ faces at the track. They seem so happy to be able to recharge, refresh and sleep in their own beds for a change. And since NASCAR has always prided itself on being a family-oriented sport based around its star drivers, it makes perfect sense to have the Sprint All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 on back-to-back weeks in the Queen City.
Kraft: That’s a good point George. One addition to add a little more fanfare for the event would be something similar the MLB’s Futures Game or the NBA’s Rising Stars Game. Perhaps a 50- or 75-lap shootout event with some of the young drivers in the national series or perhaps the field is comprised of current NASCAR Next and Drive For Diversity drivers and some alumni of the programs. That would be a nice way to get those programs more exposure.
Winkler: I’ll take it one step further and ask: How about we add a celebrity race? Or what about a burnout contest judged by Blake Shelton and Shaquille O’ Neal? Who wouldn’t want to see that? But I think what everyone wants to see come back is the pit crew challenge. The precision and power that those guys show on a regular basis is amazing, and they certainly deserve to have their time in the spotlight. And to see all of these things in the same place, on the same night would make the event even more appealing than it already is.
Kraft: Yes, pit crews are the unsung heroes and are often one of the biggest reasons for a driver being in position to win a race. It would be great to see them showcase their skills on this stage.
Winkler: In closing, and this goes to all the mamas and papas out there, let’s start the race earlier. The thing I always hear people say about the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is that it’s a great family event, particularly for the young kids because it gives them a taste of what the sport is all about without there being a big investment of time. So why not start the race earlier so it doesn’t go past the kids’ bedtimes? I’ve got to tell you, if you keep mama happy, then everyone’s happy — because mamas usually hold those purse strings. Know what I’m saying, RJ?
Kraft: Speaking from personal experience, George? Nevertheless, that was well said by a family man himself.