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May 15, 2007
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Charlotte Speedweeks kicks off this weekend with the running of the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge on Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The non-points race is known to teams as “the dash for cash.” For Michael Waltrip fans, it’s known as the race that finally shook the monkey off the driver’s back. In 1996, Waltrip won the All-Star race to claim his first victory in a Cup car. His route to winner’s circle was impressive, as he started last in 20th place. To date, he is the only driver in the history of the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge to win the race after earning a starting position through a transfer spot in the qualifying event known as The Open.
NAPA AUTO PARTS crew chief Buddy Sisco:
How important is the track time during All-Star weekend to help prepare for the Coca-Cola 600?
“It will be very important. We are definitely using the time as a test session, but with that said, I would like to see us run very competitively in the NEXTEL Open. It’s a chance to see our car run more than two laps. We get to race, and it is our intention to have a legitimate shot at earning a transfer spot into the All-Star Challenge.”
Michael Waltrip Fast Facts
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip will attempt to qualify for the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge when he competes in the NEXTEL Open on Saturday night. The starting lineup for the Open will be determined by time trials held on Friday. The NEXTEL Open is comprised of two 20-lap segments. The top-two finishers and the NEXTEL Fan vote winner, who finishes on the lead lap, will transfer into the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge.
Waltrip has competed in 14 All-Star events. In 1996, he won the race. He is the only driver in the history of the All-Star event to win after earning the final transfer spot in the Open. His very popular victory came when he started in 20th place. It was his first victory in a Cup car.
Drivers eligible for the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge: race winners from the 2006 and 2007 season, the top-two finishers in the NEXTEL Open, the winner of the NEXTEL Fan Vote who finishes on the lead lap of the Open, past winners of the All-Star Challenge from the past 10 seasons, and NEXTEL Cup Series champions from the past 10 seasons who are active drivers and have competed in at least one series event during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
The NEXTEL All-Star Challenge is four 20-lap segments and is 120 miles in length.
Segment 1: Green flag drops to begin 20-lap segment. Caution flag is thrown for five laps at the end of the 20-lap segment. Pit stop optional.
Segment 2: Green flag drops to begin 20-lap segment. 10-minute break at end of segment. Adjustments permitted. Cars maintain track position for start of next segment.
Segment 3: Green flag drops to begin 20-lap segment. Caution flag thrown for minimum stop-and-go pit stop. Teams start final segment in the order they exited pit road.
Segment 4: Green flag drops to start final 20-lap segment. Only green flag laps count. A minimum of $1 million will be awarded to the race winner.
NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip All-Star Challenge Statistics
| DATE |
START |
FINISH |
DATE |
START |
FINISH |
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1991 |
18 |
6 |
2000 |
15 |
19 |
|
1992 |
19 |
15 |
2001 |
19 |
20 |
|
| 1993 |
19 |
18 |
2002 |
2 |
12 |
|
| 1996 |
20 |
1 |
2003 |
9 |
5 |
|
| 1997 |
4 |
16 |
2004 |
8 |
4 |
|
1998 |
8 |
11 |
2005 |
16 |
20 |
|
| 1999 |
9 |
8 |
2006 |
14 |
19 |
|
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NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge Broadcast Coverage
Live coverage of the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway begins Saturday night, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. EDT on SPEED. SPEED will also provide additional pre-race coverage starting at 4 p.m. EDT. If you can’t catch the race on TV, it can be heard on your local MRN Radio affiliate and Sirius Satellite Radio starting at 7 p.m. EDT.
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