What is the format for the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race?
By Nick Tylwalk
The format of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race is both a continuation of what’s currently going on in the sport and a nod to the past.
The NASCAR All-Star Race is always interesting, and often a bit confusing. In an effort to maintain interest (and one would imagine, attendance), NASCAR tinkers with the rules and format for its annual spring showdown in Charlotte on a regular basis.
This year’s race is no exception, with some changes made since last year. Let’s quickly walk through how the 2017 event works.
How many laps is the NASCAR All-Star Race?
As an homage to the 1992 All-Star Race, which was the first one held at night, a total of 70 laps will be run on Saturday night. However, they are broken up into four stages: 20 laps, 20 laps, 20 laps and 10 laps. Only 10 cars will head to the final 10-lap stage and race for a $1 million prize.
How do cars make the final stage?
Think of the NASCAR All-Star Race as a microcosm of the upcoming playoffs. The winners of the first three stages are assured of a spot in the final stage. The other seven drivers (or more if someone wins multiple stages) will advance based on their average finish in the first three stages. So every position counts, all the time.
How do tires play into all this?
Every team in the race will have a special set of “soft” tires that will provide more grip than the normal tires. Teams can use the soft tires whenever they want, so it’s possible we could see a bunch of cars go for them in Stage 3 if they haven’t locked up a spot in the final stage yet, while the winners of the first two stages will likely save them for the last 10 laps. The trade-off, though, is that any car using soft tires must restart behind every car with regular tires, so there’s a definite risk-reward element to the decision.
How many drivers will make the NASCAR All-Star Race?
If we’ve done our math correctly, there should be 20 cars in the field but could be one or two less. Any driver who won a Cup Series race in 2016 or 2017 and is driving full time is eligible, which accounts for 13 of the drivers already in the field. Previous All-Star Race winners are also eligible, which adds Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray for a total of 16 drivers.
However, the Monster Energy Open will supply three more since it’s split into three stages on Saturday night and every stage winner will make the All-Star Race as well. Plus the winner of the Fan Vote gets to compete too.
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So that should be 20 drivers when all is said and done, unless someone wins multiple stages of the Open. In any case, as much as half the field will be eliminated for the final run at $1 million, which should make for some exciting racing among an elite group of drivers when things are winding down on Saturday night.