Racerchaser
01-25-2007, 06:59 PM
CONCORD, N.C. - The NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge: It’s not just for drivers any more.
In order to help incorporate the team aspect of NASCAR competition into the sport’s annual all-star event, NASCAR and Lowe’s Motor Speedway officials on Tuesday announced a series of enhancements to the all-star weekend, including a link between the pit crew competition and the race itself.
Beginning with this season’s event, the finishing order of the annual Nextel Pit Crew Challenge will be used to determine pit selection for the teams participating in the all-star race.
In addition, the all-star race itself will be shortened from 90 laps to 80, but changed from three segments to four, 20-lap segments with a mandatory pit stop before the final segment.
“We’ve complicated this event, at least I have, where it’s made it difficult to translate it to the fans,” said speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler. “It’s what happens on the track that makes an event special – how they race.
“We want put the emphasis on winning. Ultimately what we will have now is in the last 20 laps cars should be as close as possible and fans will get to see the best possible race they can.”
The race, which has run every year by one at Lowe’s since its inception in 1985, will continue to feature drivers who have won races during the previous or current year, as well as former series champions and former winners of the event.
“Aside from being more compelling to fans and teams, we anticipate the All-Star Challenge will continue its tradition of being one of the most exciting races of the year,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s vice president for racing operations.
In addition to spicing up the race itself, officials in recent months have been considering ways to allow pit crews, and specifically the pit crew competition, to have an impact on the race.
Former crew chief-turned-TV broadcast analyst Larry McReynolds thinks the new formula is a good one.
“I’ve been on a crusade for a number of years to promote how much of a team sport NASCAR really is because I don’t think the fans have a total grasp on that,” he said.
“It’s not to take anything away from the drivers, but I think if you look closely if there has ever been a team sport, it’s probably NASCAR racing. When the pit crew challenge came about, the goal was to how to tie this whole thing together. Now to see that happen, we all know how important it is to have a good pit stall in a race.”
The pit crew competition is May 16 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena and the all-star race is May 19 at the track. Both events will be televised by Speed Channel.
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In order to help incorporate the team aspect of NASCAR competition into the sport’s annual all-star event, NASCAR and Lowe’s Motor Speedway officials on Tuesday announced a series of enhancements to the all-star weekend, including a link between the pit crew competition and the race itself.
Beginning with this season’s event, the finishing order of the annual Nextel Pit Crew Challenge will be used to determine pit selection for the teams participating in the all-star race.
In addition, the all-star race itself will be shortened from 90 laps to 80, but changed from three segments to four, 20-lap segments with a mandatory pit stop before the final segment.
“We’ve complicated this event, at least I have, where it’s made it difficult to translate it to the fans,” said speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler. “It’s what happens on the track that makes an event special – how they race.
“We want put the emphasis on winning. Ultimately what we will have now is in the last 20 laps cars should be as close as possible and fans will get to see the best possible race they can.”
The race, which has run every year by one at Lowe’s since its inception in 1985, will continue to feature drivers who have won races during the previous or current year, as well as former series champions and former winners of the event.
“Aside from being more compelling to fans and teams, we anticipate the All-Star Challenge will continue its tradition of being one of the most exciting races of the year,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s vice president for racing operations.
In addition to spicing up the race itself, officials in recent months have been considering ways to allow pit crews, and specifically the pit crew competition, to have an impact on the race.
Former crew chief-turned-TV broadcast analyst Larry McReynolds thinks the new formula is a good one.
“I’ve been on a crusade for a number of years to promote how much of a team sport NASCAR really is because I don’t think the fans have a total grasp on that,” he said.
“It’s not to take anything away from the drivers, but I think if you look closely if there has ever been a team sport, it’s probably NASCAR racing. When the pit crew challenge came about, the goal was to how to tie this whole thing together. Now to see that happen, we all know how important it is to have a good pit stall in a race.”
The pit crew competition is May 16 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena and the all-star race is May 19 at the track. Both events will be televised by Speed Channel.
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