CONCORD, N.C. — First, Clint Bowyer wrecked on pit road. Then Humpy Wheeler was 10 minutes late to his own news conference.
Just a regular day at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, where track officials are busy preparing for a busy month of racing.
The festivities started Tuesday, when Wheeler and his staff recruited Bowyer to introduce a new feature to the All-Star race. NASCAR will now showcase a “burnout” competition, in which five drivers will showcase their victory celebrations by spinning their tires, doing two doughnuts and finally slide into Victory Lane in an event scheduled to precede the May 17th race.
Bowyer, who already has agreed to participate in the competition, had planned to demonstrate a burnout for the assembled media in a car loaned to him by the Richard Petty Driving Experience. But he wrecked the car as he returned to pit road.
“It was practice, man,” joked Bowyer. “That’s what you’re here for — to see what to do and what not to do. I had a little disagreement with the wall. It didn’t work out so good.”
The other four participating drivers will be announced at a later date.
Track president Wheeler, who delayed the start of the announcement because of a last-second phone call he received, said the competition is a nod to the All-Star events held by other leagues that feature skills competitions such as the Home Run Derby or Slam Dunk contest.
Participants in the contest, which is sponsored by Pennzoil, will have to do two 360-degree spins and then drive into a mock victory lane on the frontstretch. Drivers will not be allowed to go onto the apron on the frontstretch nor the grass. The quickest driver wins a $10,000 donation to his favorite charity.
Also, Wheeler announced that Davidson basketball coach Bob McKillop and his staff will be co-grand marshals of the race. McKillop rocketed to local stardom when he led the Wildcats into the round of eight of the NCAA tournament.
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