Since its inception in 1985, the NASCAR All-Star Race has been hailed as one of the sport’s premier events. The star-studded race has been the sight of some of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history, but it’s admittedly become a snooze fest over the last decade or so. This could largely be attributed to the ever-changing rules packages and the venue of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Now, in a year where NASCAR has welcomed a multitude of changes, it was revealed that modifications would be implemented to the shootout for $1 million.
Held at Charlotte since 1985 (the following year at Atlanta Motor Speedway being the exception), the sanctioning body unveiled that the 2020 All-Star Race would be moved to Bristol Motor Speedway with up to 30,000 fans in attendance.
This was a fantastic decision all around, and it’s an excellent opportunity to bring some action and allure back to this once titanic event. Bristol hosts some of the best racing on the circuit. If you throw in the fact that this will be a mid-week condensed short track race under the lights, the potential is off the charts.
The mid-week race at Martinsville Speedway proved to be successful in the eyes of fans and drivers alike, and it left everyone wanting more. The event at Bristol, which saw Brad Keselowski snag a win from an aggressive Joey Logano and Chase Elliott in the final two laps, was arguably the most entertaining race of the season. The reason for the positive reception? The new low-downforce package.
In changing venues from an intermediate track to a short track, there’s going to be an inherent emphasis on intensity and competition. We learned many things following the events at Bristol and Martinsville this season, but the biggest thing being that the racing displayed what we’ve been clamoring for. In both races, we saw everything from smaller budget teams being familiar namesakes atop the leaderboard, redemptive rallies from behind, and non-stop action each lap.
Shifting venues isn’t the only thing that NASCAR will explore in their All-Star Race experiment. Controversially, it was announced that teams would be required to shorten their numbers and move them to the front of the rear tires.
This is an idea that has been tossed around for years by NASCAR, but fans have been outspokenly resistant to this change. The thought process behind this decision is that sponsors can maximize their space on the cars. Not only that, but should this experiment receive a warm welcome, it very well could lure in more sponsorship to the sport in the future. More sponsorship dollars leads to more revenue for the sport, which is a beautiful thing.
Yes, it’s going to be bizarre seeing the car numbers being tightened up and moved to a new location. Let’s face it; in NASCAR drivers are identified by their numbers, and it’s how fans associate themselves in this sport. Before we get up in arms, why don’t we give it a chance? This isn’t going to be an indefinite change. It’s a one-race experiment.
Not to mention, there have been quite a few concepts floating around social media by fans and even race teams with really unique designs. There are opportunities for teams and sponsors to get creative with the cars.
Regardless, the change in scenery will be a welcome adjustment to the NASCAR All-Star Race, and it will be interesting to see if the sport can revive this once iconic event with some short-track racing under the lights. Get your first look at the newly designed cars and half-mile action-packed shootout on July 15th at Bristol Motor Speedway.
