CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2014) – Charlotte Motor Speedway officials have announced changes to the May 16-17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race schedule that add even more entertainment value to fans attending the opening weekend of 10 blockbuster days of racing at the legendary 1.5-mile-superspeedway.
During the second day of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, officials announced that the Sprint Showdown will be moved to Friday, May 16, preceding the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ North Carolina Education Lottery 200. Before the green flag falls on Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, drivers will set the field for the main event with a three-lap qualifying that includes a mandatory four-tire pit stop and no pit road speed limit.
“These changes mean fans get even more bang for their buck here at The Greatest Place to See the Race,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “In addition to watching the trucks battle on Friday night and rocking with a pre-race concert with Jake Owen on Saturday, fans will be treated to back-to-back nights of Sprint Cup Series action as drivers leave everything on the track with a $1 million payday on the line.”
The schedule change means that fans can watch both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers battle on Friday night, May 16. It is the only date on the NASCAR schedule where both truck and Sprint Cup drivers will compete in non-qualifying contests on the same night at the same venue.
Drivers already eligible to race in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race include: Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, David Ragan, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Martin Truex Jr., Brian Vickers, Ryan Newman, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Kurt Busch.
Eligible drivers who win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race prior to the Sprint All-Star Race will be added to the field as well as the top two finishers in Friday night’s Sprint Showdown and the Sprint Fan Vote winner.
Once the field is set, drivers and teams will turn their attention to the most highly-anticipated qualifying run of the season, a timed run of three laps including a mandatory four-tire pit stop with no pit road speed limit. With the new schedule, the Sprint Showdown winner and second place finisher as well as the Sprint Fan Vote winner will make qualifying runs.
All NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race ticket holders can also enjoy a free concert featuring country music mega star Jake Owen before the green flag falls on the winner-take-all $1 million dash for cash.
Tickets for Friday night’s double-header with the Sprint Showdown and the N.C. Education Lottery 200 start at just $25. Fans can catch all the action of the Sprint Showdown, N.C. Education Lottery 200, Sprint All-Star Race qualifying, the Jake Owen pre-race concert and the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with weekend frontstretch ticket packages starting at just $99. Just $10 down reserves a seat at The Greatest Place to See the Race, and interest-free payment plans are available. Call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com today for details.
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