Who is giving the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race starting command?

May 16, 2015; Concord, NC, USA; General view during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2015; Concord, NC, USA; General view during the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

We take a look at who will be giving the starting command for this Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Saturday night, 20 of the top drivers in NASCAR will hit the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the annual Sprint All-Star Race. But before even the first lap of the 113-lap race can begin, the race much officially start with the famous four words: “Gentlemen, start your engines!”

While the phrase may be modified if Danica Patrick is selected to participate, it will still be said before anything can take place. This year, the starting command will be done in a different way as it will be given by one driver who is likely making his final appearance in the event.

Tony Stewart, who qualified for the race as a past winner of the event and Sprint Cup champion, will give the starting command from his No. 14 Chevrolet before he takes part in the event. Stewart will be racing in just his third event since returning to the track following a injury suffered before the 2016 season.

Stewart is one of 15 drivers who have already qualified for the event. Three more will qualify after the Sprint Showdown races taking place on Friday, while the final two spots will come from a fan vote that will be announced after Friday’s events.

The 32nd NASCAR Spring All-Star Race will take place Saturday, May 21 at 7 p.m. and will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.

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