NASCAR: Several changes for Charlotte All-Star race confirmed
By Asher Fair
Several changes for the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway have now officially been confirmed.
As previously speculated, this year’s Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at the four-turn, 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway quad-oval in Concord, North Carolina will not feature the same rules as it did last season.
However, it won’t just be the addition of restrictor plates that make this year’s running of the All-Star race different than it was last season. Yes, restrictor plates will be used during the race, but there will be several other changes as well.
In addition to restrictor plates, all cars in the race, which is set to be contested on Saturday, May 19th, will have OEM specific aerodynamic ducts, a 2014 style splitter with a current radiator pan, and a 6″ high spoiler with two 12″ ears.
Unlike last season when the race featured three stages of 20 laps and a final 10-lap shootout stage, this year’s race will feature a 30-lap first stage following by two 20-lap stages and a final 10-lap shootout stage in which only green flag laps will count.
According to NASCAR.com, there will be “no mandated pit stops, no choice of alternate tire compounds, no eliminations and no inversions of the running order” throughout the 80-lap (120-mile) race.
In order to be eligible to participate in this year’s Monster Energy All-Star Race, drivers must meet at least one of the following requirements.
- Win a NASCAR Cup Series race in 2017 and/or 2018
- Win a previous NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race and still be a full-time Cup Series driver
- Win a NASCAR Cup Series championship
- Win one of the three stages in the Monster Energy Open qualifying race
- Win the fan vote
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All of these qualifying conditions are pretty much self-explanatory. The one that may need clarification is the condition regarding the Monster Energy Open qualifying race.
That Monster Energy Open is set to be held a few hours before the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race itself, and all drivers who are not already eligible to compete in the All-Star race are eligible to compete in the qualifying race.
The Monster Energy Open is set to feature two stages of 20 laps and a final 10-lap shootout stage, and the winners of each of the three stages advance to the All-Star race. The winner of that race will receive $1 million.
Here is what Marcus Smith, who is the president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., had to say about these changes, according to NASCAR.com.
"“The All-Star Race has a long history of edginess and innovation. We want to challenge drivers, spark on-track action and create the best show for the fans. This race has always been a proving ground for some of the best innovations in our sport, from running under the lights to stage racing and double-file restarts. It’s the perfect opportunity to try something different, and with a 10-lap shootout for a million dollars, expect the unexpected on May 19.”"
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Be sure to tune in to the Monster Energy Open at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Fox Sports 1 at 6:00 pm ET on Saturday, May 19th, as it is set to lead into the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at the track later that night. The broadcast of that race is set to start at 8:00 pm ET.