CONCORD, N.C. – With an ever-changing format over its 34-year history, fans have often asked how the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway works in terms of the on-track action.
Here’s a primer for the $1 million-to-win, Saturday night shootout that features both the top stars and some of the rising names in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field.
This year’s running is the 35th edition of NASCAR’s All-Star night, dating back to the inaugural running in 1985, where Darrell Waltrip blew up at the finish line to win what was then known as The Winston.
Saturday night’s race will feature an 85-lap total distance, broken up into four segments of 30 laps, 20 laps, 20 laps and a final 15-lap sprint to the checkered flag and a million-dollar payday.
The final stage distance marks a 50 percent increase in distance compared to previous years, which have featured a 10-lap dash to close the race. Still, however, only green-flag laps will count in the final stage.
NASCAR Overtime rules are in effect for all four stages, if necessary.
Unlike some prior runnings of the All-Star Race, there are no mandatory pit-strategy rules for this year’s event, meaning drivers can pit or stay out whenever they choose, as well as take whatever tire and fuel combinations they wish to when they do come down for service.
There are 15 drivers already locked in to Saturday night’s field, by virtue of either winning a race in 2018 or 2019, being a past Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion or past All-Star Race winner.
Those drivers, in alphabetical order, are: Aric Almirola, Ryan Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, and Martin Truex Jr.
A total of 19 drivers will take the green flag on Saturday night. The final four positions will be filled by the winners of the three stages (20, 20 and 10) of the 50-lap Monster Energy Open and the Monster Energy Fan Vote winner.
Bowyer won the pole for the All-Star Race during qualifying on Friday evening, while Daniel Hemric will lead the 24-driver Open field to the green flag.