[media-credit name=”Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]Charlotte NC – CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton may have started the party at Charlotte Motor Speedway with his recent remake of ‘Footloose,’ but the drivers were ready to do a little dancing of their own on Saturday night, showing off some unique, door-to-door dance moves. ‘Footloose’ and fancy free, drivers laid it all on the line for forty laps.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. told the media on Friday that he wanted to win the Sprint Showdown. He took the lead on lap one and paced the field for both 20-lap segments without caution, staying true to his word. Earnhardt, sporting the colors of black and orange for his foundation, opened his lead over former teammate and two-time Sprint Showdown winner Martin Truex Jr. on lap one.

Strategically in preparation for the second 20-lap segment, the race leaders of Earnhardt and Truex stayed out on the track for position. The two restarted side by side. As the laps were beginning to wind down, three-wide racing had cars bumping and grinding on the front stretch. The Showdown drivers were hungry to advance.

AJ Allmendinger, who sat on the pole suffered a flat tire prior to the start of the race and was regulated to the back of the field. After the pit stop between segments, Allmendinger did some fast line dancing as he manhandled his Dodge through the field. With two laps left in the second segment, the ‘Dinger’ had moved into place position, securing a transfer spot.

Earnhardt’s return to victory lane had race fans twisting in their seats, while his team was jumping and jiving on pit road on their way to victory lane. “These are good race teams that we are going to be racing with in the All-Star Race,” Earnhardt said. “It is going to be difficult starting in the back in the dirty air,” he commented when asked how he felt his No. 88 Chevrolet would react starting in the rear of the field. “I am fortunate to drive my way into the All-Star Race,” said Earnhardt, “Fan support is a gift and I never wanted to take it for granted.” Earnhardt hopes his fans appreciate his efforts in the Showdown.

The third driver to transfer into the All-Star Race was fan vote Bobby Labonte. He finished the Showdown in twelfth position. Flattered by the fans vote, the former two-time Sprint Cup Champion, Labonte discussed the lack of budget funds and the concept that his No. 47 team had discussed not even competing in the Showdown.

“This is awesome,” said Labonte who was humbled and honored by being the fans choice. He noted that there are many great drivers in the field that could have been chosen, and was flattered he can compete.

Unofficial Race Results : Sprint Showdown
Sprint Showdown – May 19, 2012 – Exhibition

[media-credit name=”Credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images for NASCAR” align=”alignright” width=”225″][/media-credit]The winner of the 2012 Pennzoil Burnout Competition was Clint Bowyer, earning $10,000 for the Employee Community Foundation in his hometown of Emporia, Kansas. “It’s the Employee Community Foundation. They just built a community center, so that money will go towards that building in my hometown that we are very proud of. Just thanks to Pennzoil for making that happen. Ten thousand dollars is very hard to raise for a foundation or charity. So, I’m thankful we had this opportunity. That was probably the easiest $10,000 I have ever raised.”

Cars were equally prepared by the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Participants in the burnout included Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, Bowyer, AJ Allmendinger and Brad Keselowski. Judges included Actor and three-time ‘Survivor’ competitor Colby Donaldson, ‘Survivor One World’ winner Kim Spradlin and Miss Sprint Cup. Fans were also encouraged to participate by texting their vote.

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An onsite presentation of a seven foot Turkey Statue was made to Tony Stewart on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stewart was named the official spokesperson for National Hunting and Fishing Day 2012 which will be held on Saturday, September 29. Joining Stewart for the presentation was Founder of Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris and CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation George Thornton. Both Thornton and Morris praised Stewart for being a great ambassador to the outdoors. Stewart shares a genuine passion for conserving hunting and fishing sports. “This is a huge honor,” said Stewart, “It is something very close to my heart.” Stewart has dedicated use of his Indiana property to the Catch a Dream Program which promotes hunting and fishing to children with life threatening illnesses.

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The eighth annual Prelude to a Dream Race will be held on Wednesday, June 6. Live from Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio Tony Stewart and his accompaniment of drivers will raise money for the Feed the Children Program by driving 2,300 pound Dirt Late Models with over 800 horsepower on dirt. Stewart’s goal for the 2012 event is to raise $1 million for the program which will provide a food truck to the hometown or city of choice for each of the top ten finishers. Participants include Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick, Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon, Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Bobby Labonte, Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, The Busch Brothers and the Dillon Brothers.

The Prelude to the Dream event will broadcast live on HBO PPV at 8 pm EST.

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NASCAR announced their commitment to join Beyond the Sport to broaden the global sports landscape. Beyond the Sport is an organization promoting sports to create positive social change. ‘The idea is that teams, leagues and athletes come together to share best practices of what they’re doing,” said NASCAR CEO Brian France. “It puts us on a big stage, which we’re excited about. And frankly, it matches perfectly with directionally where we are going. We’re investing a lot with kids.”

Five-time champion Jimmie Johnson and fellow Chevrolet driver Juan Pablo Montoya attended the announcement as supporters of the partnership. “Pretty much every driver has a foundation or does something to support other charities and other drivers’ foundations,” said Johnson who operates the Jimmie Johnson Foundation which helps children and their families. “I look forward to sharing our best practices and just trying to give back,” said Johnson.

“The kids are the future,” said Montoya who stands behind his foundation Formula Smiles.

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Presbyterian Healthcare will appear on the No. 98 for Fusion of Michael McDowell starting with Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Charlotte. Presbyterian Healthcare is using this partnership to promote regular health screenings. A formal announcement is scheduled to unveil the paint scheme on May 21 at Presbyterian Hospital. Following the conference, McDowell will meet children at Presbyterian’s Hemby Children’s Hospital.