CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR’s All-Star race format has been changed again, but this time to discourage drivers from riding around at the back of the field.
Charlotte Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith has posted a $1 million bonus as incentive to a driver who wins all five race segments. The overall winner of the Sprint All-Star race gets a $1 million payout.
The race will again be four 20-lap segments, followed by a 10-lap dash for the cash. Last year, the top four starting spots in the final sprint went to the winners of each segment. It left little incentive for the drivers to race after they won a segment, and they instead just rode at the back.
Jimmie Johnson won a middle segment, saved his car, and then cruised to the win.
