TBK-Light.com

The format for the 2013 Sprint All-Star race has changed a bit. There will be four 20 lap segments followed by a final 10 lap segment for a total of 90 laps. Teams will have one mandatory 4-tire pit stop between segment 4 and 5. The final segment lineup is based on average finish in first four segments. The winner earns $1 million AND if a driver wins ALL five segments, that driver will win an additional $1 million.

News: Michael Annett has a broken and dislocated sternum. He will have to undergo surgery. Out indefinitely. Almirola in No. 43 Nwide car.

Got this from Jayski:

I can't stand this constant format changing. Either leave have it set at 30, 20, 10 or similar or why not just have a qualifying race for the guys not qualifyed then heat races and a feature? They keep marketing it as an old school, sat night showdown, well go old school.

The first portion of the race will involve 14 segments of 12.5 laps. Each third one will require a pit stop and a driver change. After the first segment of segments, the fans will make a crucial vote as to which outfit miss Sprint cup will wear and what she will name her dog. After a 30 minute break on pit road for the semi-halftime concert, the second segment of segments will begin.

This time it will consist of two sets of 10 segments each with grid and lineup determined partially by a fan vote, randow drawing and a deathmatch between selected fans of each driver. Each alternating segment will require two pit stops, and well as alternating track directions for each race.

For the final segment of 20 laps, the field will be inverted, the randomly shuffled. A fan vote at the end will then determine the winner.

It is NASCAR's decision that this is the ideal format to provide a quality on track product, while still fostering a truly interactive fan experience.

NASCAR will no longer provide attendance estimate: NASCAR will end its policy of providing estimated attendance figures in its race reports this season. Spokesman Kerry Tharp said tracks still will have the option of providing crowd estimates, but it will be their prerogative. "NASCAR's race reports generally becomes a box score for the media, and box scores from sporting events do not generally provide estimates," Tharp said. Of the 23 tracks that play host to races in NASCAR's premier series, 21 are owned by publicly traded companies such as International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc. Officials with those tracks have said they don't provide attendance figures because they don't want to provide earnings guidance.(USA Today)(2-17-2013)

Apparently Jeremy Clements has been suspended indefinitely

Edit: Seems for "intolerable and insensitive remark".

Hah, guess they don't want to announce that attendance numbers are down.

Dunno if this is it, but I just found an interview with Clements from last week in which he speculated NASCAR fixed the pole for Danica.

Dunno if this is it, but I just found an interview with Clements from last week in which he speculated NASCAR fixed the pole for Danica.