by Ron Fleshman  |  About The Author   |  Discuss

There has been rumbling and grumbling about this weekend's Sprint All-Star Race. I really don't understand all the controversy. The race is just an exhibition race, much like baseball's All-Star Game and similar events in the NBA and NFL. It's nothing more. , so I began to see who was missing.

NASCAR has a somewhat complicated formula (what else is new) to determine who gets into this race. I don't know the details, but I know the formula because it's been used so many times before. If you've won lately, you're in. That's pretty much it unless you're a former champion--at least i think that's right. Regardless, it seems fair to me. The only drivers I see missing are Elliott Sadler, who hasn't won in awhile, Michael Waltrip, who has the same problem Sadler has, 1988 champion Bill Elliott, and Kasey Kahne. All of these drivers can get into the race with a win in the Sprint Showdown, a qualifying race for non-qualifiers, if you will. So, what's the big deal?

The big deal this time around is that fans don't get to vote in their favorites for the race like major league baseball and others. Kind of reminds me of the year (way back years ago) when the Cincinnati Reds stuffed the ballot box and most of their team were slated to start the MLB All-Star game. Or maybe it's the fear among Junior Nation that after this year, their man doesn't have an automatic bid? I'll leave that up to your judgment

For what it's worth, i like the way it's done in NASCAR. All of the principals are there and Awesome Bill and others can race their way in--the way it has been done in racing for years. The fans get their choice of one driver, but that's been interesting. This year, there is no doubt that should be Travis Kvapil, but that's my prejudice showing and he has no chance anyway. He's not on TV enough (does the average fan even know what he looks like?). There are better things to gripe about.

Take the pit crew challenge. Lately, it's Inside and no engines are fired. I even saw the team have to push the cars across the finish line. What does that have to do with anything? Beats me. Once upon a time, the pit crew championship was held at North Carolina Motor Speedway and it involved real racing conditions. It didn't involve a media event (along with lots of loud rock music and antics resembling a professional wrestling match), but that's my old age showing. I wouldn't have gone to the trouble to attends the pit chew competition, but you can bet I'll watch the All-Star Race. Unlike the guys in the MLB, NFL, and NBA contests, all these guys want to win and they go all out. It's Saturday night racing at it's best. I can't wait.
 

You can contact Ron at ron.fleshman@verizon.net

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the publisher.  All comments other than website related problems need to be directed to the author.  Copyright 2000-2008 SpeedwayMedia.com.

More by this author: