The NASCAR Cup Series season is just past the one-third stage of the season…and it is time for the annual All Star race.  For many years the race was held at Charlotte Motor Speedway but the past few years has seen the annual event has been at a few different tracks.  This year, the All Star race will be held at the newly reconstructed North Wilkesboro Speedway.

It has been nearly 30 years since a race has been held at North Wilkesboro Speedway – an 0.625 mile oval track.

The weekend’s events include heat races and a pit crew challenge.  And the winner of the race wins one million dollars.

Events begin on Friday night with the Pit Crew Challenge which will help to determine the lineups for the heat and Open races.

Each crew must perform a four wheel and fueling pit stop; however, the fuel tanks will be empty.  The faster the pit stop, the higher the start.

The 21 teams will be divided into two groups for the two heat races.  The odd number finishes will be in heat one and the even number finishes will be in heat number two.

Drivers who are not already locked into the All Star race will get a chance to run in the race via the Open race.

On Saturday evening are the two heat races will run – two 60 lap races.  Caution laps will count for the heat races.

Sunday will feature the main event beginning with the All-Star Open; followed by the main event.

There are 16 drivers who are not locked into the All-Star race and will compete in the 100 lap Open where two of the drivers will move on to the main event.  A “competition caution” is scheduled for lap 40.

The final spot in the All-Star race is reserved for the winner of the fan vote.

In the main event, the 24 drivers will battle it out in a 200 lap race for a $1 million prize…no points, just a pile of cash!

While the teams will have fresh tires on their cars to start the race and three more sets in the pits, the crews may change sticker tires only once after an “All-Star caution around lap 100.