All-star qualifying strays from NASCAR’s norm

The Charlotte Observer

CONCORD, N.C. — Winning the pole for the NASCAR’s all-star race hasn’t been a great predictor of success in the event.

It certainly can’t hurt, however.

Only three times has the pole winner gone on to win the race, the last time in 1992 when Davey Allison accomplished the feat for the second consecutive season. The late Dale Earnhardt was the first driver to win the race from the pole in 1990.

Last year’s winner, Tony Stewart, started 15th in the first of the four-segment event.

Qualifying for those drivers already eligible for the Sprint All-Star Race is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The runs will consist of three laps and a four-tire pit stop. Jimmie Johnson won last year’s pole with a time of two minutes, 1.412 seconds.

While time determines the pole in Saturday night’s race, Denny Hamlin’s team will have the first choice of pit stall based on their victory Wednesday night in the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge.

Qualifying for the Sprint Showdown — the 40-lap preliminary event to the all-star race — might be just as important this season. Showdown qualifying — two laps and no pit stop — begins at 5 p.m. Friday.

Several drivers, including Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards Greg Biffle and Juan Pablo Montoya, are not otherwise eligible for the all-star race and must finish first or second in the Showdown to have a chance at the $1 million top prize.

“I think this should be the most competitive one we’ve had in a long time,” said Mike Joy, play-by-play announcer for Speed’s coverage Saturday night.

“Some drivers realize they don’t have to bring anything back but the steering wheel and they’ll drive accordingly.”

In addition to the top-two finishers in the Showdown, the winner of a fan vote will be in the all-star starting field.

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