NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookies Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. now eligible
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – March 20, 2013 – Race fans can now begin casting ballots for their favorite Sprint Fan Vote eligible driver in hopes of seeing him or her in the prestigious NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 18 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Voting begins today and ends at 5 p.m. (EDT) on the day of the race.
Fans can vote an unlimited number of times between March 20 and May 18 by downloading the NASCAR Mobile ’13 application or visiting NASCAR.com/SprintFanVote. Votes cast on NASCAR Mobile ’13 will count twice towards a driver’s total. The driver receiving the highest number of votes will earn a spot in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, which airs live on SPEED at 7:30 p.m. (EDT). Radio coverage on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio begins at 6:30 p.m. (EDT).
In 2008, Kasey Kahne became the first and only driver to win the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race after being voted into the event via the Sprint Fan Vote. Other winners of the Sprint Fan Vote include: Ken Schrader (2004), Martin Truex Jr. (2005), Kyle Petty (2006), Kenny Wallace (2007), Joey Logano (2009), Carl Edwards (2010), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2011) and Bobby Labonte (2012).
To date, 26 drivers are eligible for the 2013 Sprint Fan Vote including rookie-of-the-year candidates Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. To be eligible for the Sprint Fan Vote, drivers must have finished in the top 55 of the final 2012 Sprint Cup Series driver point standings or attempted to qualify for the 2013 Daytona 500. Any eligible Sprint Fan Vote candidate who wins a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race during the 2013 season will automatically gain entry into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Subsequently, the driver’s name will be removed from the Sprint Fan Vote ballot and their accumulated votes will be voided.
In addition to accumulating the most votes, a Sprint Fan Vote-eligible driver must also finish the Sprint Showdown qualifying race on the lead lap with a car in “raceable” condition (as determined by NASCAR Competition) to earn a spot in the race field.
Tickets for the entire NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend are on sale now. Packages start at just $99 for all weekend events including scanner rental. To purchase tickets, call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
Fans are encouraged to follow @MissSprintCup, @CLTMotorSpdwy and @NASCAR on Twitter to engage in the #SprintAllStar Race conversation throughout the Sprint Fan Vote window.
Drivers eligible for the Sprint Fan Vote include:
· A.J. Allmendinger
· Aric Almirola
· Dave Blaney
· Mike Bliss
· Jeff Burton
· Landon Cassill
· Bill Elliott
· David Gilliland
· Travis Kvapil
· Bobby Labonte
· Terry Labonte
· Michael McDowell
· Jamie McMurray
· Casey Mears
· Paul Menard
· Juan Pablo Montoya
· Danica Patrick
· David Ragan
· David Reutimann
· Scott Speed
· Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
· David Stremme
· Martin Truex Jr.
· Michael Waltrip
· Josh Wise
· JJ Yeley
About Sprint Nextel
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