Key changes to the Nextel All-Star Challenge announced Tuesday:
• 80-lap race broken up into four 20-lap segments
• Optional pit stop after first segment and 10-minute break after second in which teams can work on cars
• Mandatory pit stop after third segment, setting up 20-yard dash for $1M prize
• Field expanded to allow both first- and second-place finishers of Nextel Open, plus one driver voted in by fans
• Like past years, rest of field consists of drivers who have won races in the current and preceding year, past All-Star race winners, plus Nextel Cup champions from the last 10 years.(1-23-2007)




Nextel Challenges changes for 2007: Sprint Nextel and NASCAR unveiled several enhancements to the 2007 Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman and Nextel All-Star Challenge today during the annual media tour. “We anticipate the excitement will carry through the entire Nextel All-Star Challenge week,” said Dean Kessel, director of Nextel Cup Series marketing for Sprint Nextel. “We have worked with each of our partners, including NASCAR, SPEED and Lowe’s Motor Speedway, to develop a format that honors the spirit of what the Nextel All-Star Challenge activities should be about.”
The Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman, slated for May 16 at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, will be directly linked to the Nextel All-Star Challenge, as the finishing order in the pit-crew competition will decide the selection order of pit stalls for the May 19 race. The Nextel Pit Crew Challenge presented by Craftsman, now in its third season, will feature several new competitive elements.
New Format: The Nextel All-Star Challenge’s new format consists of four, 20-lap segments and features teams that qualify for the event by winning a Nextel Cup Series event during the 2006 or 2007 seasons. Additionally, two drivers will qualify for the premier event by finishing first and second, respectively, after two 20-lap segments in the Nextel Open. Finally, one driver will once again join the Nextel All-Star Challenge field by winning the Nextel Fan Vote.
Teams will have the option of pitting after the first 20-lap segment of the event, giving up their respective on-track position by doing so. A mandatory 10-minute stop will follow the second 20-lap segment. Teams will resume their position at the start of the third segment.
Following segment three, all remaining participants on the track will circle the track under caution. Each team will then conduct a pit stop under race-like pitting conditions. The order of the teams exiting pit road will serve as the starting lineup for the fourth, and final, 20-lap segment. The Nextel All-Star Challenge will be broadcast live on SPEED. Additional details about the Nextel All-Star Challenge will be announced at a later date.(DEI site)(1-23-2007)

A 20 yard dash? 60 feet? Really now?

I'm not sure I like those changes.

lol now that would be interesting.


eh I kinda liked the bigger segment. guess these lil ones will keep everyone bunched up.

:lmao

someone needs to learn to proofread

:lmbo

doent the 9 team usually kick ass at those competitiions? seems nascar's changes this year are really beneficial to the 9 team last year haha

That's the Pit Crew Challenge you're thinking about.

So many changes to everything! :wacko: I'm never gonna remember all of this plus the chase changes and whatever else they decide to change up.

and the pit crew challenge is now linked to teh all star race

Too many changes!!

2007 is like the year of change in Nascar. I wonder if they could just start everything over if they'd do that, too. Oy vey. :rolleyes:

I think they probably would.

Hmmm...I am not sure about all these changes either...and I do like the longer segments of racing too...but I am open to new things... we will see how it goes this year. :)

i dont like this idead i like the long segment

I am a big fan of the pit crew part

I'm not sure on the rest yet, I'll have to just wait and see how it plays out this year.