The All-Star Race: Hype Wasn’t Reality, But That’s Not New

A few notes about the NASCAR Sprint Cup All Star Race:

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Carl Edwards victory

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** As usual, the race was hyped as a “dash for cash,” “checkers or wreckers,” and even “payback time,” because of its format.

As you know, the race is not about points. It’s all about money – at least $1 million to the winner – and is tailored to end with a 10-lap “shootout” finish, one in which drivers, supposedly, will take all manner of chances to win.

On paper it sounds good. And, admittedly, there have been some all-star races in the past in which a driver surprised everyone over the final 10 laps and pulled off an upset victory.

There has also been some closing-lap mayhem – plenty of it, in fact.

Not this year, however. It a race decidedly devoid of virtually everything for which it’s hyped, Carl Edwards pulled away over the final 10 laps to win easily and earn $1.2 million.

“Checkers or wreckers?” No one got close enough to Edwards to crash him. Hey, the Roush Fenway driver did it to himself.

After his victory, as he plowed through the frontstretch grass, the front end of his Ford dug into the sod, hit a drainage port and nearly turned over.

The car was severely damaged. Edwards was embarrassed but still entertained the crowd – a very large one, by the way – with his victory backflip and a dash into the grandstands with the checkered flag. He posed for photos with fans as the theme from “Flipper” (you read that right) played over the public address system.

For Edwards, the all-star race was “checkers AND wreckers,” but as far as many others were concerned, it was “boring and snoring.”

Normally, drivers do go somewhat bonkers in the special event and there’s usually plenty of crumpled metal to go around.

This time, there were just two unscheduled caution periods caused by two minor, one-car wrecks.

There were no frayed tempers, such as displayed last year when Denny Hamlin crowded teammate Kyle Busch into the wall during a fight for the lead, which prompted Busch to question the value of his teammate’s life.

There was, however, some good, hard racing among NASCAR’s top stars, such as Edwards, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle and David Reutimann.

But when it comes to the all-star race, many folks think that’s just not enough. It’s not what the race is all about. They expect to see a free-for-all, a heavyweight slugfest with knockdowns aplenty.

And let’s be honest. That is exactly how the all-star race is hyped.

Hype did not become reality this year. But, in all honesty, that’s nothing new. We don’t always get what’s advertised.

** That said, there have been ongoing suggestions as to how the format of the all-star race might be changed so that it more often lives up to its billing.

These suggestions, offered by media and fans, started well before the race was over. That clearly indicated many observers weren’t pleased with what they saw.

The most prominent suggestions referred to shortening the race and eliminating episodes of what were called “momentum killers.”

The race was formatted thusly: It had a 50-lap opening during which there was a mandatory four-tire pit stop. There followed two 20-lap sessions. After the second, teams took a 10-minute intermission (with on-track running positions frozen) to make permissible changes to their cars.

Then followed another mandatory pit stop for four tires. This, ostensibly, would allow pit crews to play a role in the outcome. With fast, mistake-free work, they could advance their drivers’ starting position on the restart.

There followed the 10-lap “shootout.” In all, the race consisted of 100 laps.

The most prominent suggestions were to reduce the 50-lap opening segment; make it shorter so that drivers feel more urgency to get to the front rather than nurse their cars.

It was also mentioned that there is no need for the 10-minute intermission. It brings racing to a stop. Why not, some said, reduce the inactivity time? Simply throw a caution, require another pit stop and then restart the race – with cars aligned in the order they left pit road.

In a published report, Dale Earnhardt Jr. said that the 50-lap opening segment was too long and that the race would be better served if, overall, it was shorter.

“From a fans’ standpoint I think the first segment is too long,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Make the event a little shorter and make it a little more about the fireworks that the drivers provide in the event.”

Jeff Gordon, who has competed in the all-star race throughout all its mutations over the years, maintained that fewer cars and shorter segments are the answer.

“Let’s face it, it’s a 10-lap shootout,” Gordon said. “So it’s whatever process gets you to that 10 laps. The four different segments, to me, seem to be pulling and stretching things a bit.”

Gordon also favors the revitalization of the now-defunct inverted field created by a fan vote. It was put in place at least one segment before the final 10 laps.

“I thought that was pretty cool,” he said.

Other drivers, I’m sure, have their own opinions about the all-star race’s format.

Frankly, I can see where trimming some fat would help. An opening segment of 50 laps is too long – drivers have said they feel no sense of urgency and prefer to race calmly as they sort out their cars.

I also agree that the 10-minute intermission kills all racing momentum. Is it really needed?

But, to be honest, as far as NASCAR is concerned what I think doesn’t matter.

However, fan opinions do. I daresay the format of the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race is reviewed every year. And we can assume the sanctioning body isn’t foolish enough to completely ignore its supporters’ views.

So if you feel the need, speak up. Change never comes for those who remain quiet.

Another fine article by Steve Waid brought to you by http://motorsportsunplugged.com/

The orignal article is locted here http://motorsportsunplugged.com/?p=3515