All-Star Race weekend storylines to follow

I began to think this morning about how commercialized NASCAR has become. It’s not all been bad, but some of it has taken away the old time flair. Now, I’ve only been watching NASCAR for about 15 years of my short life, but in that time the Brickyard 400 has become sponsored, the Southern 500 went away, and was re-born last weekend—with sponsorship I might add—and even the Indy 500 will have a slight sponsorship ring to it in a few weeks.

Even if they call this weekend’s race the Sprint All-Star Challenge, it will always be known to me as, “The All-Star” (race). Just like the Pepsi/Coke Zero 400 is still the “Firecracker 400,” “The All-Star” or “The Winston” will always be known as so in my heart.

In 2005, in what we thought would be his final shot at a NASCAR (then) NEXTEL Cup title, Mark Martin won the All-Star race in a throwback paint scheme that reminded all of us of his days in the Valvoline number 6 car. As he crossed the finish line he called to then crew chief Pat Tryson and said, “Can I race this again next year?”

Well, as it turned out, Mark Martin is still racing, and still winning. Coming off a big win at the Southern 500 last weekend, Mark Martin heads into Charlotte with a proverbial head of steam. Unfortunately, the only thing that winning the All-Star race does for you is earns a cool million bucks—and of course, bragging rights—but each year the fans of NASCAR look forward to watching the All-Star race with the same fervor as a points race.

This weekend will be no different. I feel that the following storylines will play out as the weekend progresses. I’ll give you a few quick thoughts on each idea. As always, feel free to pass on the link to this post to any friends or family that would enjoy my writing. The more readers the merrier we’ll all be.

1. Jeremy Mayfield’s positive drug test has ruled storylines all week…How much will we hear about it this weekend?

I for one agree with both Jenna Fryer (of the Associated Press) and David Caraviello (of NASCAR.com) who both feel that the “drugs” Mayfield tested positive for should be revealed. I also tend to believe in the Constitution of the US which has the “innocent until proven guilty” clause in it.

And, although I’m not trying to get high and mighty on you, I think NASCAR has proven itself time and time again with a vague interpretation of rules (see the 2007 Daytona 500) and needs to be clear about what Mayfield tested positive for. Until we know we’ll never be able to render a verdict on the one time Penske power Mayfield.

2. Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski did well at Darlington. Can they keep their momentum up during this exhibition weekend?

Although I didn’t write true race recap, this thought weighed on me throughout the week. Joey Logano led for a few laps at Darlington and Keselowski proved doubters like me that he has what it takes to run near the front on occasion. Keselowski qualified for the All-Star race via his “win” at Talladega (not too many fans are happy about both the win and the fact that Keselowski gets to run in the All-Star race) and Logano will either have to transfer in from the “open” event or win the fan vote.

I’m not going to write off either one as a fluke after last weekend, but they can show me they really are as good as they were touted by doing well this weekend and next weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

3. As much as it makes for good TV, the All-Star pit crew challenge is a farce

I love watching pit stops. They’re an exciting part of NASCAR racing. Tire carriers and changers work in harmony to get their car in and out in as little time as possible. In fact, the last four times I’ve visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400 (note, no sponsorship—it’s always the Brickyard 400 to me!) my dad, bother and I have sat inside the pit lane behind all the pit stalls. We get to see the pit crews go to work every time the cars come down pit road.

But…I feel that the pit crew challenge is a farce. Brian Vickers’s Red Bull Racing team won last year, and they should be commended for winning the challenge, but they really haven’t shown their greatness when it counts: on racedays. Everyone remembers the “Killer Bees”, Matt Kenseth’s DeWalt crew, dressed in yellow, which continuously got Matt off pit road in the quickest time.

Until the “winners” of the pit crew competition can do that, they really aren’t the champions in my book. Call me negative, but that’s just my thoughts.

4. Who will win the fan vote?

Kasey Kahne won the fan vote last year, and consequently went on to win the All-Star race. AJ Allmendinger has been campaigning for the fan vote this season, and deservedly so. Nostalgic fans are pulling for Bill Elliot to win the fan vote and have been texting their geriatric fingers off (It’s a joke! Please don’t write me hate mail!).

I'd vote for Kyle Petty, but he won’t have a ride. It wouldn’t kill me to see either one of the Labonte brothers either, but I don’t think Terry has a car this weekend. Either way, it should be fun to see how the fan vote winner plays into the All-Star race. I know I’m looking forward to it.

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Check back tomorrow for a take on the best unofficial holiday of the year, NASCAR Day. Make sure you wear your NASCAR Day pins and apparel tomorrow to promote NASCAR Day. It’s certainly for a worthy cause. Have a great Thursday everyone and thanks for reading!