2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Open: Start Time, Entry List, TV Schedule and More

Some of NASCAR's rising stars headline Saturday's Monster Energy Open at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

As an early appetizer before the main event, the rebranded Monster Energy Open, known as the Sprint Showdown in recent years, demands attention as its automatic bids set the stage for the All-Star Race a few hours later.

This event is meant to thrill in bite-sized bursts of action with much on the line—the All-Star Race, after all, offers a cool $1 million as the top prize.

The stage-based format and recognizable names pair with the prize to make it one of the sporting realm's few must-see All Star events.

Viewing Details

Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway

When: Saturday, May 20, at 6 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

Tickets: ScoreBig.com

Here's a look at the official entry list before Friday's qualifying, per the race's official page at NASCAR.com:

Car No.	Driver
3	Austin Dillon
6	Trevor Bayne
10	Danica Patrick
13	Ty Dillon
14	Clint Bowyer
15	Reed Sorenson
19	Daniel Suarez
21	Ryan Blaney
23	Gray Gaulding
24	Chase Elliott
27	Paul Menard
32	Matt DiBenedetto
33	Jeffrey Earnhardt
34	Landon Cassill
38	David Ragan
43	Regan Smith
47	AJ Allmendinger
51	Cody Ware
55	Derrike Cope
66	Carl Long
72	Cole Whitt
77	Erik Jones
83	Corey Lajoie
95	Michael McDowell

This is a stage-based format reminiscent of the sweeping changes NASCAR made to the sport this season, with the three stages going for 20, 20 and 10 laps.

Little changes from last year in this regard. The first segment is set by practice speed and the winner bows out of the event with an automatic bid in hand. Rinse and repeat for the second stage. Another mandatory stop bleeds into the 10-lap third stage, with the brevity of the stage encouraging electric action thanks to a bevy of passes.

A year ago, this format delivered the thrills, as Kyle Larson, Trevor Bayne and Greg Biffle punched tickets to the All-Star race by winning segments. Most notable was Larson slamming into Chase Elliott before making a pass to win his stage, with Elliott still winning a berth to move on via the fan vote, beating out Danica Patrick.

This year's race should be just as entertaining, with some interesting twists from a storyline standpoint.

Colin E. Braley/Associated Press

For instance, Clint Bowyer. He's making headlines ahead of the event for a simple reason—he's hoping it's the last time he has to take part in it.

"I love the Open and we're going to do our best to run well Saturday night, but I expect this time next year the No. 14 car will already be part of the All-Star Race and we won't have to worry about racing in the Open," Bowyer said, according to Steven B. Wilson of Speedway Digest.

Bowyer is still in the playoff hunt on the leaderboard, but he only has five top-10 finishes on the season. To avoid the Open outright, a driver has to win the prior All-Star race or win a race featuring points at stake.

But some notable participants are more than happy to step into the fray.

The most noteworthy storyline of all in this event is Regan Smith subbing in for Aric Almirola.

Almirola suffered a fractured vertebra last week in a wreck at the Go Bowling 400 at Kansas Speedway, captured here by NASCAR:

Smith is what one could call a super sub, seeing as he's replaced Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and more. His breaking through Saturday night would make for quite the story.

He took to Twitter to talk about his latest subbing job:

Call it one of many great storylines sure to unfold before the night's main event even gets underway.

These storylines, alongside what is sure to be some aggressive racing, promise to make for a memorable event. Four drivers will advance for a shot at the biggest prize of all, and the momentum established in qualifying might just be enough to make it happen.

Qualifying event or not, fans won't want to blink—especially during that blinding final stage.

Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.