All Star and Showdown Race Review
But the man on the move is Montoya, who after looking like his chance was gone, in only five laps is up to seventh. With only 15 laps to go though there is no chance of taking the win as McMurray is already a second and half out front of the 17 and barring mechanical failure seems to have sealed his place in the All Star race. The battle for third is intensifying as Truex Jr has found a way round Burton but doesn’t have the speed to get clear. The 56 again brushes the wall and while there is no significant damage his race appears to be done as he falls back to fifth. The only remaining question is can Burton now catch Stenhouse Jr and gain that second place. But being over three seconds back with only five laps remaining is too much for him to overcome and the two drivers transferring to the ‘big show’ will be Jamie McMurray and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
May 18, 2013; Concord, NC, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray (1) after winning the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Joining them in the All Star race as the winner of the fan vote is Danica Patrick. There were quite a few dissenting voices to this announcement, that she is undeserving as she is only a rookie and hasn’t had the results that should warrant a place. My view is that she is just as deserving as any other driver, there have been rookies in the All Star race before (Stenhouse Jr himself is a rookie) and there have also been drivers who have only made it in due to the 10 year exemption whose results for season upon season have been poor. The point of the fan vote is for the most popular driver to be in, the one who will bring the biggest TV audience, the one who will get the most headlines, the one who will get people talking about NASCAR and on this point there is no better person than Danica Patrick.
When the green flag drops on segment one it is Edwards and Kurt Busch who run side by side into turn one with Edwards on the high side. Unlike Truex Jr earlier Busch is able to make his tyres work on the bottom line so mush so that he is able to slide up in front Edwards and take the lead. The top 5 of Busch, Edwards Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer quickly establish a gap from the rest of the pack. But the night is done for one of the pre race favourites as Brad Keselowski’s transmission blows on lap two but luckily everyone is able to get round him, thanks to some fast reactions by Ragan Smith, and no caution is needed. Back up front the gap has been closed down, the charge led by Denny Hamlin and Kasey Kahne with rest of the field close behind them as the drivers sort themselves out into single file. After a few laps of finding where the grip is Kyle Busch makes a move for second as he gets on the inside of Edwards. Just as he makes the move stick the heavens open and the first caution of the night comes out for rain. The rain isn’t shifting anytime soon so NASCAR red flag the race, and unlike Championship races here the pit crews are allowed to work on the cars during this period.
May 18, 2013; Concord, NC, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kurt Busch (78) and Carl Edwards (99) during the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
After 41 minutes the drivers are back in their cars and behind the pace car ready for the restart. The 78 selects the bottom line with his brother Kyle outside him for the restart and as they take the green flag Edwards gives Kurt a hefty push and he retakes the lead. Edwards briefly takes second before Kyle Busch retakes the place and Bowyer also gets round Edwards for third. A few laps later the first segment comes to an end as the competition caution is thrown, with Kurt Busch the winner and now the only driver with a shot at extra $1 million bonus prize. Like with the Showdown the teams now have to make a decision with regard to pit stop tactics, as expected the leaders all stay out and the drivers from 9th back all come in as they’ve got nothing to lose.