Biffle, Bowyer advance to Sprint All-Star Race

The Michael Waltrip Racing driver was also the 2014 Sprint Showdown winner and went on to finish seventh in the Sprint All-Star Race.

Kyle Larson put up a good fight for the lead, running three-wide with Martin Truex Jr. and Bowyer for the lead at one point. But the Sprint Cup sophomore suffered damage after hitting the wall on Lap 31 and had to head to pit road, ultimately finishing 24th.

Truex Jr. looked strong in the beginning of Segment 2 as well, leading two laps, but got loose and drifted back positions trying to save his No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet.

No. 23 J.J. Yeley brought out a red flag just two laps in to Segment 2 when he spun out. Yeley was later penalized for pitting too soon.

It was announced at the end of the Sprint Showdown that Danica Patrick won the Sprint Fan Vote and has earned a spot in the Sprint All-Star Race. This is the first repeat winner of the Sprint Fan Vote.

Tune into the Sprint All-Star Race this Saturday at 9 p.m. ET with TV coverage on FOX Sports 1.

Sprint Showdown: Segment 1

Greg Biffle won the first segment of the NASCAR Sprint Showdown on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway and has earned a spot in Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (9 p.m. ET FOX Sports 1, MRN, Sirius XM).

The Roush Fenway Racing driver started second and led all but one lap in the 20-lap segment. Biffle’s last Showdown appearance was in 2010 where he finished second and transferred to the All-Star Race. The No. 16 Ford driver went on to finish ninth.

Paul Menard started on the pole, but after the first segment was over, the Richard Childress Racing driver was running third.

Austin Dillon, who led Friday’s Sprint Showdown practice, was running consistently in the top five during segment 1 and finished the first session fourth.

Clint Bowyer was running second at the conclusion of segment 1.