All-Star event format gets a slight tuneup

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR continued to tinker with its races Tuesday by revamping the format of the annual All-Star event to make it more exciting and easier for fans to follow.
The Nextel All-Star Challenge will now be run in four 20-lap segments, and the field has been expanded to include at least one more driver.
The announcement came one day after NASCAR tinkered with its title-deciding Chase for the championship system, and the sanctioning body acknowledged that all the changes could initially confuse longtime fans.
"The changes to the Chase, as well as the All-Star event, were a collaborative effort that we put forth to make it easier for the fans to understand," said Steve O'Donnell, vice president of NASCAR's racing operations.
The All-Star event, held annually at Lowe's Motor Speedway, will now be a total of 80 laps with breaks between each segment. There will be an optional pit stop after the first segment, and a 10-minute break after the second segment in which teams will be allowed to work on their cars.
There will be a mandatory pit stop after the third segment, setting up one final 20-lap dash to the 1 million grand prize.
The All-Star race is only open to drivers who have won races in the current and preceding year, past All-Star race winners, Cup champions from the last 10 years and the winner of the Nextel Open, a qualifying event held before the main race.
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