NASCAR All-Star Race 2015: Viewing Info, Lineup and Contenders at Charlotte
The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is technically an exhibition featuring 20 of the Sprint Cup Series' top drivers, but with $1 million and bragging rights on the line, the competitors figure to race as hard as they do during the regular season.
There isn't much incentive to do anything other than finish in first Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and that should make for some intense moments. Drivers will be more likely to throw caution to the wind than usual, which should yield exciting racing, but it could also lead to some big-time wrecks.
With so many variables coming into play, the Sprint All-Star Race promises to be one of the year's most entertaining events.
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Here is everything you need to know about when and where to watch the 31st edition of the race, as well as a look at who will be part of it.
Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina
When: Saturday, May 16, at 9 p.m. ET
Watch: Fox Sports 1
All-Star Race Field
| 47 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 4 | Kevin Harvick |
| 19 | Carl Edwards |
| 5 | Kasey Kahne |
| 2 | Brad Keselowski |
| 14 | Tony Stewart |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 20 | Matt Kenseth |
| 18 | Kyle Busch |
| 31 | Ryan Newman |
| 88 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
| 43 | Aric Almirola |
| 24 | Jeff Gordon |
| 48 | Jimmie Johnson |
| 41 | Kurt Busch |
| 1 | Jamie McMurray |
| 22 | Joey Logano |
| 15 | Clint Bowyer |
| 16 | Greg Biffle |
| 10 | Danica Patrick |
Top Contenders to Watch
While Jimmie Johnson is the all-time leader in Sprint All-Star Race victories with four, Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon is nipping at his heels. The veteran superstar has accomplished the feat on three occasions, and a win Saturday would move him into a tie with JJ.
Gordon hasn't won the race since 2001, but there is reason to believe he will end that lengthy drought. Not only has he been running extremely well as of late after a shaky start to the season, but he also doesn't have much to lose. This will be the final All-Star Race of his illustrious career, and he would undoubtedly love to go out on top.
According to the NASCAR Wire Service (h/t SportingNews.com), Gordon acknowledged that the spirit of competition is what makes the Sprint All-Star Race so special.
"The All-Star event is just one of those races where you go all-out," Gordon said. "With no points on the line, it's about pride and honor and just kind of showing your competitors what you can do."
Gordon doesn't necessarily need the $1 million, and winning wouldn't do much to bolster his already cemented legacy, but it is unlikely that any of that matters to him.
He is one of the top competitors the sport has ever seen, and he will be determined to take the No. 24 car to Victory Lane one final time in the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Kevin Harvick
Since last season, Kevin Harvick has undoubtedly been the most dominant driver in NASCAR. He won last year's Sprint Cup title, and his ability to consistently run near the front of the field and register top-five finishes in 2015 has been incredibly impressive.
Harvick is a former All-Star Race winner, as he took the checkered flag in 2007, and he has to be considered among the favorites this time around as well. Perhaps nobody is in better form, especially on 1.5-mile tracks.
According to Jeff Gluck of USA Today, the 39-year-old star hasn't finished worse than second at that distance in 2015, which bodes well for his chances Saturday:
Gluck also pointed out that Johnson has been Harvick's toughest competition on 1.5-mile tracks, so he will have to cross a mental hurdle in order to beat the four-time All-Star Race winner.
Harvick proved late last season that he is perfectly capable of getting the job done in high-pressure situations, and while the All-Star Race isn't a do-or-die event by any means, he figures to push himself by placing some personal emphasis on getting the better of Johnson.
Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch's 2015 season got off to a late start, but it hasn't taken him long to find his stride. He hasn't finished worse than 15th in eight races thus far, and his win at Richmond International Raceway essentially guarantees that he will be part of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Saturday's All-Star Race won't have any bearing on his place in the standings, but it is clear that he intends to return to Victory Lane after getting on the board a few weeks ago.
According to Zack Albert of NASCAR.com, Busch isn't the only one who wants another win.
"Everybody on our team is at a top level so I don't have to do anything other than drive, and that's what [team owner] Gene Haas wants me to do, and he's not happy with one win," Busch said. "He wants multiple wins. Hopefully we'll be off and running."
Busch won the All-Star Race in 2010, and the former Sprint Cup champion is running as well as just about anyone right now. Some crazy things can happen in this type of race, bit Busch tends to thrive in chaotic situations.
He did that when he returned from suspension and immediately established himself as a title contender, and he can do it again by winning the Sprint All-Star Race.
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