NASCAR All-Star Race 2015: TV Info, Race Format and More for Sprint Cup Showcase

The annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is a nice deviation from the standard weekend at the track. Rather than worrying about the long-term outlook, perhaps playing it safe to secure points rather than taking a risk, the focus is all about getting the victory.

Crossing the finish line first earns one lucky driver a cool $1 million. A win-or-bust race that's all about pushing the car to its limits? No wonder Kyle Busch is returning from injury this week. It's the kind of atmosphere the polarizing figure should thrive in.

Let's check out all of the important details for the All-Star Race, followed by a closer look at the format and a prediction for which driver will score the lucrative triumph.

Viewing Information

Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway

When: Saturday, May 16, at 9 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

Race Format

The biggest change from last year is the length of the race. Drivers will now compete for the title over 110 laps rather than 90.

There are four segments with 25 laps each (up from 20). Teams have the option to pit during each break if they so choose. After those sessions are complete, the overall average finish will determine how they enter pit road for a mandatory stop following the fourth round.

Once those four-tire stops are complete, the 10-lap final segment will begin. From there, it's a shootout for the win. If a yellow flag flies for whatever reason, the laps spent under caution won't count toward the lap total.

Whichever driver is atop the leaderboard after the 10th green-flag lap collects the massive paycheck.

Predicted Winner: Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson has just about everything going his way this week. The six-time Sprint Cup Series champion is coming off a victory in the SpongeBob SquarePants 400, which marked his fifth straight top-three finish, and his three wins are the most of any driver this season.

The driver of the No. 48 car also enjoys Charlotte Motor Speedway. He's won seven times in 27 career starts at the track. As if that's not enough, Jayski's notes that his success in the All-Star competition is unmatched in the race's history:

Autoweek provided comments from Johnson, who talked about the strategy that comes into play even though there are no points at stake.

"Without a doubt, you know that you beat the best of the best," Johnson said. "With the varying strategies that take place and the segments and how many laps and all the different things we've had over the years, there hasn't been one set path to get there."

Nobody has navigated the potential pitfalls better than him over the years.

The format ensures drama, and—as a result—even if Johnson has the best car, that doesn't necessarily mean he's going to come out on top. That said, based on his current form and past All-Star success, there's no better pick this week.