RELATED: New format puts emphasis on intrigue
This year's Sprint All-Star Race (Saturday, 9 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) format gets a fresh coat of paint when cars hit the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
For starters, there are three different segments composed of: an opening 50-lap segment, a second 50-lap segment and then a final 13-lap sprint to the finish of a third segment. Here's how it all works.
THE RULES, SEGMENT 1
The lineup for Segment 1 is determined by qualifying run earlier Saturday night.
There is a mandatory green-flag pit stop for a minimum of two tires (teams can choose to take two or four) during the opening 50 laps.
After Segment 1, there is a 3-5 minute break. Cars must pit and take a minimum of two tires.
THE RULES, SEGMENT 2
The starting order for Segment 2 is set by the pit-road exit from the mandatory pit stop after Segment 1.
During Segment 2, there is a mandatory green-flag pit stop for a minimum of two tires during this set of 50 laps. The twist here is that the pit stop must occur before Lap 85.
After Segment 2 concludes, there is another 3-5 minute break.
THE RULES, SEGMENT 3
During the break between Segments 2 and 3, there is a random drawing in which the number 9, 10 or 11 is selected. That number determines the number of cars from the 20-car field (starting from whoever is leading the race) which must pit for a mandatory four-tire stop. Pit road is closed to the additional cars.
Those who did not pit will be on older tires and at the front of the field. The order off pit road sets the running order behind those cars. So it will be older tires at the front and fresher tires (and likely faster cars) at the rear. Plenty of strategy to be had.
Only green-flag laps count in Segment 3, and NASCAR Overtime procedures apply.
WHO HAS QUALIFIED?
Drivers who won points races in 2015 or thus far in 2016, plus previous Sprint All-Star winners and former series champions still driving.
SO THOSE LOCKED IN ARE …
Eligible drivers
| Driver | How qualified |
|---|---|
| Joey Logano | 2015 winner |
| Jimmie Johnson | 2015 winner |
| Kevin Harvick | 2015 winner |
| Brad Keselowski | 2015 winner |
| Denny Hamlin | 2015 winner |
| Matt Kenseth | 2015 winner |
| Kurt Busch | 2015 winner |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 2015 winner |
| Carl Edwards | 2015 winner |
| Martin Truex Jr. | 2015 winner |
| Kyle Busch | 2015 winner |
| Jamie McMurray | Past All-Star winner |
| Ryan Newman | Past All-Star winner |
| Kasey Kahne | Past All-Star winner |
| Tony Stewart | Premier series champion |
| Trevor Bayne | Sprint Showdown Segment #1 winner |
| Greg Biffle | Sprint Showdown Segment #2 winner |
| Kyle Larson | Sprint Showdown Segment #3 winner |
| Chase Elliott | Sprint Fan Vote winner |
| Danica Patrick | Sprint Fan Vote runner-up |
HOW ELSE CAN A DRIVER MAKE THE RACE?
The Sprint Showdown (Saturday, 11 a.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) will have three transfer spots into Saturday's race -- the winners of Segment 1 (Trevor Bayne), Segment 2 (Greg Biffle) and Segment 3 (Kyle Larson) of the Sprint Showdown earn a spot in the main event.
From there, the top two finishers (Chase Elliott and Danica Patrick) in the Sprint Fan Vote will complete the 20-car field.