One Final Look Back At The All-Star Race

Burnout Challenge Has Mixed Reviews-NASCAR's version of the home run derby is creative but needs a little bit more pizzazz. Unless you are sitting on the frontstretch you really can't see what's going on. If you happen to be seated in turn 2 or on the backstretch you're lucky if you can hear the car or see the smoke. The beauty of the MLB home run derby is that it captures the attention of the nation and the media. It sells out the host stadium year in and year out and people stop what they are doing to watch it. NASCAR needs to create an event that incorporates and showcases the talents of both the drivers and the crews. Having 5 or 6 guys do burn outs is a great idea if you want to fill down time, but that's about it.

Random Draw For Qualifying Almost A Disaster-NASCAR's idea to set the Showdown field by random draw was borderline ludicrous. Fortunately, Kirk Shelmerdine and Carl Long had to go to the back due to a wreck in practice and an engine change. As crazy as the first lap is, having two slower cars out front would have been crazy!

Did Anyone Else Find The Fan Vote Winner A Bit Fishy?-I don't doubt that Joey Logano has a lot of fans in his corner, but for him to win the fan vote was a bit odd. Martin Truex, Jr seemed to be a shoe-in to get selected if and when he failed to automatically move on. Personally I think Home Depot "found" a way to get him in the big show and get him racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway. There was no way Home Depot was going to lose that kind of attention and exposure.

First 90 Laps Quite Boring-Jimmie Johnson sat on the pole and absolutely stunk up the place in the first 50 lap segment. Once he got in clean air he was gone. The first pit stop of the night mixed up the running order as some took no tires and some took two. It was all about clean air and the first 80 laps showed that.

10 Lap Shootout Saves Night-By far the best non-plate racing of the year. The double-file restarts and decision to count only green flag laps set the stage for a wild finish. With all that money and prestige on the line, the racing went from boring and pointless to intense and spectacular. Maybe NASCAR should end every race like that....

Richard Childress Racing MIA Saturday Night-Casey Mears was supposedly in the All-Star Showdown. He finished 13th and was never a factor. In the All-Star Race the 33, 29 and 31 never got it going. Jeff Burton had motor troubles and finished 2oth while Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick struggled all night and limped home to a 12th and 15th place finish. The last few weeks have been a complete struggle for these guys. The only bright spot has been the 31's ability to take a bad night and turn it into a good one. Other than that these guys are way behind the other GM teams.

Charlotte And Surrounding Cities Put On A Great Show-With a two-week block of racing at their disposal Charlotte, and surrounding cities, give race fans tons of things to do. Whether its shop tours, autograph signings, meet-and-greets or souvenir shopping, fans in town for the races have endless opportunities to enjoy the center of the NASCAR universe. It truly becomes a two-week open house for the racing community.