Sprint All-Star Line ups

Here are the line-ups for the Sprint All-Star Showdown and race. The Showdown will take place at 7:00pm and the race will take place at 9:00pm. More information can be found here.

The Showdown

1. #27 Kirk Shelmerdine Toyota, Temporary Resources Inc.

2. #46 Carl Long Dodge, Romeo Guest Construction

3. #12 David Stremme Dodge, Penske Racing

4. #66 Dave Blaney Toyota, Prism Motorsports

5. #36 Scott Riggs Toyota, Tommy Baldwin Racing

6. #1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet, Bass Pro Shops

7. #6 David Ragan Ford, UPS

8. #77 Sam Hornish Jr.Dodge, Mobil 1

9. #13 Max Papis Toyota, GEICO

10. #44 A.J. Allmendinger Dodge, Hunt Brothers Pizza

11. #42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet, Target

12. #37 Mike Wallace Chevrolet, Long John Silver's

13. #00 David Reutimann Toyota, Aaron's Dream Machine

14. #47 Marcos Ambrose Toyota, Kingsford / Clorox

15. #51 Dexter Bean Dodge, LiveWire Energy

16. #21 Bill Elliott Ford, Motorcraft

17. #75 Derrike Cope Dodge, FlipnBags.com

18. #57 Norm Benning Chevrolet, Norm Benning Racing

19. #20 Joey Logano Toyota, The Home Depot

20. #82 Scott Speed Toyota, Red Bull

21. #87 Joe Nemechek Toyota, NEMCO Motorsports

22. #71 David Gilliland Chevrolet, TRG Motorsports

23. #07 Casey Mears Chevrolet, Jack Daniel's

24. #98 Paul Menard Ford, Johns Manville / Menards

25. #73 Mike Garvey Dodge, Quality Concrete

26. #64 Todd Bodine Toyota, Gunselman Motorsports

27. #19 Elliott Sadler Dodge, Best Buy

28. #55 Michael Waltrip Toyota, NAPA

29. #06 David Starr Dodge, Canics.com

30. #26 Jamie McMurray Ford, Crown Royal

31. #83 Brian Vickers Toyota, Red Bull

32. #7 Robby Gordon Toyota, Jim Beam / Operation Homefront

33. #41 J.J. Yeley Toyota, SmallSponsor.com

34. #43 Reed Sorenson Dodge, McDonald's McCafe

35. #34 Tony Raines Chevrolet, Taco Bell

The Sprint All-Star Race

1. #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet, Lowe's / Kobalt Tools

2. #2 Kurt Busch Dodge, Miller Lite "Taste Protector"

3. #17 Matt Kenseth Ford, Dewalt

4. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet, The Dale Jr. Foundation / Amp Energy / National Guard

5. #5 Mark Martin Chevrolet, Kellogg's / Carquest

6. #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet, DuPont

7. #96 Bobby Labonte Ford, Ask.com

8. #9 Kasey Kahne Dodge, Budweiser

9. #29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet, Pennzoil

10. #09 Brad Keselowski Chevrolet, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming

11. #16 Greg Biffle Ford, 3M

12. #39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet, U.S. Army

13. #18 Kyle Busch Toyota, M&M's

14. #99 Carl Edwards Ford, Aflac

15. #14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet, Office Depot / Old Spice

16. #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet, Caterpillar

17. #33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet, BB&T

18. #11Denny Hamlin Toyota, FedEx Express

Kevin Costner makes another NASCAR appearance

photos rights of martintruexjr.com

This just in from Lowe's Motor Speedway, who announced today that actor and musician Kevin Costner and Modern West will perform a pre-race concert for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

Academy Award winner Costner and his band will perform a 45-minute afternoon concert prior to the Montgomery Gentry show presented by Jim Beam in the infield between Turns 1 and 2. Admission to the concert is free with the purchase of a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

"I have been a longtime NASCAR fan and to be able to perform at Lowe's Motor Speedway, what many consider to be NASCAR's home track, will be an incredible experience," said Kevin Costner. "With all the hype that surrounds the All-Star Race it is sure to be a spectacular night and I am excited to be a part of it."

In addition to the concert Costner will be invited to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers meeting and will serve as a celebrity judge in the Pennzoil Victory Challenge, the annual burnout contest, prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race.

Costner has been a regular presence in the NASCAR community of late as part of his year- long partnership with the sport. Amongst many NASCAR related endeavors, Costner is serving as the 2009 NASCAR Day spokesperson, which will be celebrated this year on May 15th. As part of his role, he is helping The NASCAR Foundation to raise funds for its Family of Charities in an effort to help thousands of children live better lives (for more information visit NASCAR.COM/NASCAR Day).

Tickets for the 25th running of the May 16th NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race start at just $25 and can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.

We were lucky enough to stare at Kevin's best ass-et while he was on the Bass Pro pit box during his honorary crew chief stint in Daytona for Martin Truex Jr last year. Its nice to see someone of his celebrity interested in the sport, and making a great effort to get involved on the charitable side!

Sprint All-Star Week Schedule

Below is the schedule of events for the 2009 Sprint All-Star Week in Charlotte, NC. If you find yourself in the Charlotte area, try to make time to visit Rendezvous Ridge, Benny Parsons Vineyard and Museum. Rendezvous Ridge is located between Boone and Wilkesboro in the foothills of both the Blue Ridge Mountains and Brushy Mountains.

For more information on the next two weeks, download the Official Fan Guide here.

Wednesday, May 13
"NASCAR Rev'd Up" leads off a four-day period heading into the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, featuring a concert by Everfine/Atlantic Artist O.A.R. (free admission). This six hour event will kick off activities for NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race week in Charlotte, N.C. The event, which is free to the public, will take place between 3rd and Mint Streets in uptown Charlotte from 4:00pm-10:00pm.

Thursday, May 14
7:00pm Time Warner Cable Arena: NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge Presented by Craftsman.
For tickets go to www.pitcrewchallenge.com or www.ticketmaster.com. SPEED will televise beginning at 9:00pm.

Friday, May 15
NASCAR Day, an opportunity for fans, corporations, schools and organizations across the country to make donations to the NASCAR Foundation to raise funds for its Family of Charities in an effort to help thousands of children live better lives.
For more information go to foundation.nascar.com.

Friday, May 15
6:15pm Lowe's Motor Speedway: NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Qualifying
For tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. SPEED will televise beginning at 5:00pm.

Friday, May 15
8:00pm Lowe's Motor Speedway: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200
For tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. SPEED will televise beginning with pre-race coverage at 7:30pm.

Saturday, May 16
3:30pm-4:45pm Jim Beam Presents Montgomery Gentry, turns 1-2 in the infield
6:20pm-6:45pm Pennzoil Victory Challenge Burn Out Contest
7:30pm (green flag at 7:46pm) NASCAR Sprint Showdown (20 laps/20 laps).
9:00pm Green flag for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race (4 segments; 50 laps, 20 laps, 20 laps, 10 laps)
For tickets call (800) 455-FANS or go to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. SPEED will televise beginning at 7:00pm.

Taking Failed to Qualify to a New High-Track Funk Race Recap

As you shake the funk off and get ready for some All Star action here is what you missed at Darlington. No one really expected to have their pre-race activities interrupted by the Jeremy Mayfield announcement. Speed graciously provided coverage as Fox was in the middle of a Tampa/Boston shut out. This was one of my favorite tracks and it did not disappoint! Mark Martin took the checkered flag, breaking a few of more records and potentially wrecking my fantasy league. Congratulations to Mark Martin and Alan Gustafson, who both have Daytona Beach ties.

And word to the person who thought that glitter was a good time in Victory Lane...it isn't, knock it off.

Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com

Darlington's Top Ten
1. #5 Mark Martin
2. #48 Jimmy Johnson
3. #14 Tony Stewart
4. #39 Ryan Newman
5. #24 Jeff Gordon
6. #1 Martin Truex Jr.
7. #25 Brad Keselowki
8. #16 Greg Biffle
9. #20 Joey Logano
10. #17 Matt Kenseth

There were 17 cautions (a new record at Darlington) and 23 lead changes among 13 leaders:

Lap Leaders

Matt Kenseth (1-16)
Jeff Gordon (17-22)
Jimmie Johnson (23-24)
Ryan Newman (25-71)
Kasey Kahne (72-82, 120, 162, 186)
Elliot Sadler (83-84)
Martin Truex Jr. (116-119, 217-249, 297-320)
Bobby Labonte (121-122)
Greg Biffle (123-161, 163-185, 187-215, 251-276)
Kyle Busch (216, 250)
Ryan Newman (277)
Joey Logano (278-296)
Tony Stewart (321)
Mark Martin (322-367)

Unofficial Standings, Results and a lap by lap recap are available at NASCAR.com. Stay tuned as NASCAR goes back to the boys home in Charlotte for two weeks! This week will bring some great All Star activities, kicking off Wednesday, May 13th with NASCAR Rev'd up featuring OAR.

If you haven't voted for the All Star race, might we suggest a couple for you? After last nights performance, to say Martin Truex Jr. is worthy of this race is an huge understatement. At the same time, Scott Riggs with Tommy Baldwin Racing need the money and the publicity that this race brings. So please vote and vote often! See you in Charlotte and Happy Mother's Day.

NASCAR, Tyler Florence and a Cookout! Could it get any better?

I am a self proclaimed foodie and I am obsessed with the Food Network almost as much as I am with NASCAR. I just found out that Food Network cutie Tyler Florence is going to be at Lowe's Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, teaming up to man the nations longest grill at the Coca-Cola Quarter-Mile Cookout. That's going to be one HOT BBQ! (I must mention that if it were Bobby Flay, I would be front and center completely geeking out)

Here are tidbits from the press release:
Requiring more than 7,000 pounds of Kingsford Charcoal, the monster-sized ring of fire will measure an astonishing 1,320 feet -- spanning more than four football fields in length if stretched end to end. The colossal grill will be used to cook up a feast for fans attending the "Coca-Cola Quarter-Mile Cookout" on May 22.

The oval-shaped quarter-mile grill -- assembled on part of the race track's frontstretch and pit road -- will be manned by celebrity chef and Food Network star Tyler Florence, host of Tyler's Ultimate and author of Dinner at My Place and Stirring the Pot. Joining Florence will be some of NASCAR's most popular drivers including Clint Bowyer, Bobby Labonte, Kyle Petty and racing legend Bobby Allison, all of whom will trade their fire suits for "track aprons" as they help grill up lunch for thousands of fans.

The event is free and open to all ticket and annual credential holders for the historic 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600. The action will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the race track near the speedway's start/finish line. The menu will feature hamburgers and hot dogs, along with Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad pasta salads and Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownies.