FYI WIRZ: NASCAR's All-Stars at Home for Charlotte Race

Most NASCAR drivers have a home or apartment in the Charlotte area. Having NASCAR’s All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race, back-to-back at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, is a big break from their normal travel mode.

The upcoming All-Star Race offers no points, but it has huge benefits that can materialize in at least three ways. Drivers get to sleep in their own beds devoid of jet lag and maybe get local bragging rights with a win. The winner also gets a big paycheck for one night’s work at $1 million. Teams and drivers also log data from the All-Star race that will transfer to the Coca-Cola 600 a week later.

Seventeen drivers are qualified for the All-Star race. Two drivers can race their way in during Friday night's Sprint Showdown or be the one driver voted in by fans. A minimum of 20 drivers will race for the big prize.

Seven drivers near and at the top of the NSCS points headed for the Chase for the Sprint Cup competition shared their thoughts about NASCAR’s All-Star race. 

Kevin Harvick sums up the essence of the All-Star race in few words.

“You don’t have to put $1 million up to know what most of us would do to try and win a race,” he said. “When there are no points on the line and $1 million at stake, you throw caution to the wind and go for it. If you make a mistake, the repercussions aren’t great.”

Martin Truex Jr. isn’t one of the 17 qualified All-Star drivers, so he will have to win one of the two 20-lap segments in the Sprint Showdown or get voted in by fans.

“The bad news is that we’re not qualified for the big show,” he said. “The good news is that we'll be at a 1.5-mile track—one of our strong suits this season. We’ve proved that we can run in the top 10, but we also want to prove that we can win a race.”

Jimmie Johnson described the difficulty of winning the big event.

“With varying strategies, the segments and how many laps,” he said, “there hasn't been one set path to get there. It's a rewarding night the team enjoys. There's a different atmosphere with the pressure being off and a million reasons to have fun after.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. noted the significance of data and experience.

“There is a lot of money on the line this weekend, but there is a lot to be learned, too,” he said. “You pay attention to what you are feeling in your car so you can use those notes for next week. There is a lot to be learned.”

Matt Kenseth emphasized having fun at work. 

“The All-Star Race is always a fun weekend because we’re home in Charlotte and get to have friends and family around,” he said. “It’s a short race, a different format, a different way of qualifying, and a lot of money on the line, but it’s a race that is really fun to win.”

Jeff Gordon pointed out what the race means to top drivers.

“I love racing at Charlotte–it’s great to be at home and also race,” he said. “The All-Star event is just one of those races where you go all-out. With no points on the line, it's about pride and honor and just kind of showing your competitors what you can do.”

Aric Almirola hasn’t had the opportunity to race in an All-Star event. All that changes this weekend.

"This will be my first All-Star start, which is exciting,” he said. “It is a cool event and should be fun to race for a million dollars with no points repercussions. Hopefully, we'll find something to run up front that we can use next weekend in the 600."

The absence of points, the presence of a $1 million prize, racing the best of the best, an innovative format, the gathering of race data, hometown bragging rights—a lot of fun is on the line on Saturday night.

Credit: Dwight Drum

Fans without tickets can view the intense action on Fox Sports 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained firsthand or from official release materials provided by sanction and team representatives.