This week the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers will not be racing for points. They will be battling for braggin’ rights and one million dollars in the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway!
That’s right, making the playoffs is not in play this week. There are no playoff points to be gained. You cannot improve your standing in the points. This weekend’s race is all about putting on a great show for the fans, winning a massive paycheck and being able to say “I won the NASCAR All-Star Race!”
Drivers have to earn the right to race for the $1 million. Drivers have to fall into at least one of the following categories to be eligible to compete in the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race: Winner of a points-paying race in 2018 or 2019, Winner of the All-Star Race in the past, Winner of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship in the past.
There are 15 drivers that are eligible for this weekend’s race based on those criteria…
Kurt Busch
Brad Keselowski
Austin Dillon
Kevin Harvick
Ryan Newman
Chase Elliott
Aric Almirola
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Blaney
Clint Bowyer
Kyle Busch
Martin Truex Jr.
Erik Jones
Joey Logano
Jimmie Johnson
The winner of the 2019 Fan Vote will also get to race for the money this weekend. You can cast your vote for which that driver will be here.
The rest of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers will have to race their way into the All-Star Race via the Monster Energy Open. This 50 lap race will take place prior to the main event. The race will consist of stage one (20 laps), stage two (20 laps) and stage three (10 laps). The winner of each stage in this event will transfer to the main event with a shot to win the one million dollars.
Both the Monster Energy Open and the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race will face the following track statistics at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Data
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 24 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,980 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,500 feet
The drivers racing for the million dollars will face the following…
2019 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race Data
Stage 1: 30 Laps (Green and Yellow-Flag laps count)
Stage 2: 20 Laps (Green and Yellow-Flag laps count)
Stage 3: 20 Laps (Green and Yellow-Flag laps count)
Stage 4: 15 Laps (ONLY Green-Flag laps count)
NASCAR Overtime rules will be applied in the first three stages of the race. In the final stage if the race is restarted with less than two laps remaining NASCAR will make as many attempts as necessary at the green-white-checkered finish to end the race under green-flag conditions.
There are two changes from last year worth pointing out. The final stage of the 2019 race is five laps longer than it was in 2018. Unlike 2018, the 2019 race will not include a mandatory pit-stop.
Here are the active NASCAR Cup Series drivers that have won the All-Star Race in their careers.
Jimmie Johnson – 4 wins (2003, 2006, 2012, 2013)
Kevin Harvick – 2 wins (2007, 2018)
Kurt Busch – 1 win (2010)
Kyle Busch – 1 win (2017)
Ryan Newman – 1 win (2002)
Denny Hamlin – 1 win (2015)
Joey Logano – 1 win (2016)
Which drivers will race their way into the main event with a chance to claim the money? We will find out this Saturday. May 18th starting at 5 PM central time (6 PM eastern time) in the Monster Energy Open.
Which driver will win braggin’ rights and the ONE MILLION DOLLAR payday? That will be sorted our Saturday as well starting at 7 PM central time (8 PM eastern time) in the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race.
Both races will take place at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
By: Buck Stevens
