Marcos Ambrose is holding out high hopes of being the first Australian to qualify for NASCAR’s million dollar to win Sprint All-Star Race, which will be held tomorrow morning Australian time at Charlotte Motor Speedway.The latest news through from NASCAR officials on the eve of the race is that Ambrose is polling within the top-five in the popular fan vote, with the fan favourite receiving an automatic start in the main race.
The fan vote is open until 10am tomorrow (Sunday 23rd, Australian Eastern Standard Time), with fans encouraged to vote as often as they like at www.nascar.com/promos/allstar/2010/vote/.
Other drivers currently polling in the top-five include AJ Allmendinger, Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards and Elliott Sadler, with fans currently having cast over 1.1 million votes.
The other fashion in which Ambrose can qualify for the All-Star Race is to finish in the top-two on the track in the Showdown, which is held directly prior to the All-Star Race.
In more encouraging news for Ambrose, he has qualified his Toyota Camry provisionally fifth in the starting order, although wet weather has interfered with the session, with four cars still to complete their qualifying run.
Apart from the popular fan vote and the Showdown, entry in the All-Star Race is limited to Sprint Cup race winners from the 2009-10 seasons, former series champions and All-Star Race winners from the past 10 years, with the race not carrying points for the Sprint Cup Series.
The All-Star Race features an unique format, with the race split into four segments, with a final 10 lap sprint to the chequered flag ensuring all competitors are in with a chance of victory.
The Showdown and the All-Star Race will be shown live on Fox Sports 3 from 9am tomorrow, with replays shown on One HD.
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Preview
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sprint All-Star Race and Showdown- Saturday May 22
Track Distance: 1.5 miles/2.41km
Track Type: Intermediate Quad-Oval
Crowd Capacity: 165,000
Sprint All-Star Race Format
Segment 1
50 laps with a mandatory four-tyre pit stop under green, followed by a caution flag for an optional pit stop
Segment 2
20 laps followed by a caution flag for an optional pit stop
Segment 3
20 laps followed by a 10-minute break where adjustments are permitted and a mandatory pit stop to set the field
Segment 4
10 laps to the green flag –only green flag laps count
Last year in the All-Star Race-
Race won by Tony Stewart
Last year in the Shootout-
Race won by Sam Hornish Jnr, Jamie McMurray second
Marcos Ambrose finished 10th
Drivers Currently Qualified for the All-Star Race
Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, David Reutimann, Tony Stewart, Brian Vickers, Bobby Labonte and Dale Earnhardt Jnr.
Previous Fan Vote Winners
2009- Joey Logano
2008- Kasey Kahne *
2007- Kenny Wallace
2006- Kyle Pretty
2005- Martin Truex Jnr
2004- Ken Schrader
* Won the All-Star race after winning the popular vote
Nascar Sprint Cup Standings (after race 12 of 36)
1. Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)- 1768 points
2. Kyle Busch (Toyota)- 1699
3. Matt Kenseth (Ford)- 1642
4. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)- 1637
5. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)- 1618
6. Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet)- 1605
7. Greg Biffle (Ford)- 1581
8. Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)- 1569
9. Kurt Busch (Dodge)- 1531
10. Carl Edwards (Ford)- 1487
11. Mark Martin (Chevrolet)- 1475
12. Martin Truex Jnr (Toyota)- 1434
28. Marcos Ambrose (Toyota)- 1068
Australian TV Guide
Check local guides for regional viewing times
Race
Fox Sports 3 (Plus Fox Sports 3 HD)- Sunday May 23rd, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Race Replays
Fox Sports 2 (Plus Fox Sports 2 HD)- Sunday May 23rd, 11:30pm – Monday May 24th, 1:30am
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Tuesday May 25th, 8:30pm – 9:30pm
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Thursday May 27th, 11:25pm – Friday May 28th, 12:25am
One HD (Hosted by Marcos Ambrose)- Friday May 28th, 9:30am – 10:30am
For more information on Marcos Ambrose, check out www.marcosambrose.com.
