2006 NASCAR Preview

This speedway phenomena and crowd-sportsEligibility rules for competitor-drivers potentially
fascination is an annual specialty racingpartaking in the NASCAR - Nextel Cup Series
mass-event, presented by NASCAR, Daytonainclude:n Drivers and car owners who have won
Beach, Florida in the USA. Typically held in theraces in the current and preceding year.n In the
state of North Carolina at the Lowe's Motortrue spirit of competition, a driver who has left
Speedway, Concord, N.C., it has become a part ofthe team under whose banner a race might have
the fabric of not only the local area, but also abeen one, remains eligible and the car owner's
National passion and worldwide sporting event ofnew driver can also race (through the last race
distinction.before The All-Star Race)n Past NASCAR cup
It offers one and all - with an insatiable need andchampions (past 10 years )n The All-Star Race
appetite for the ultimate in speed and customwinners (past 10 years)n The winning driver of
wheels racing - some utter satisfaction and thethe Nextel Openn Drivers who have won in
perfect adrenaline rush, on-demand and lap-by-lap!previous years, not eligible by the above (not
It remains one of the largest global spectatorowners)n If 20 drivers are not eligible, winners
sports and sports-betting favorite, gaining groundfrom previous seasons still active on the NASCAR
every year. It has however also known someNextel Cup Series, become eligible for The All-Star
ups and downs in its interwoven, proud and tragicRace. All active drivers during that season
history.become eligible, even if the field exceeds 20
It came rooted in and from humble beginnings incompetitors.
the whiskey bootlegging down South, the ensuingIt is then easy to see that the entry
stock-car racing of the early years, to the formalrequirements for NASCAR-banner type events,
establishment of the national sanctioning body tosupport standards of excellence and achievement.
govern stock racing on December 12, 1947 calledTo qualify for the Nextel Open, drivers must be in
‘NASCAR', the now well-recognized acronymthe Top 50 of the final NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
and branding for the National Association forSeries [drivers] point standings or in the Top 50
Stock Car Auto Racing.of the current NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
Its halls of fame also carry shadows and sadness[drivers] point standings as of March 14, 2006.
of numerous crashes, accidents and tragicJust because a driver is listed, does not mean
incidents, famous driver deaths and losses thatthey will be participating in the race.
dot its development and sporting landscape. FromThe 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge,
struggling with and overcoming with triumph,showcased race winners from the previous and
numerous diverse challenges and obstacles likecurrent seasons, as well as past event champions
prohibition, the law, world war II, automotive andand series champions from the past 10 years
technological advancement and roller-coaster(1995-2005). All were active drivers and
participation, retraction, interventions, the birth ofcompeted in at least one series event during the
the ‘HEMI', to tobacco advertising bans,preceding (2004 or 2005) season. Also eligible was
corporate sponsorships partnering, increasingthe winner of the NEXTEL Open, a preliminary
popularity, broadcasting and media coverage,event for teams not qualified for the all-star
personal and professionals competing on andevent, and one other NEXTEL Open driver, who
off-track, increasing hype, droves of timelesssecures an empowered fan-favorite vote, into full
champions and recognized fallen heroes, NASCARparticipatory rights and privileges in the all-star
and racing has remained a crowd pleaser andevent. To qualify for the NEXTEL Open event,
favorite.drivers must have been in the Top 50 of the final
NASCAR, among other things, also acts as the2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings, or in
sanctioning and overseeing body for the NASCARthe Top 50 of the current point standings at the
Nextel Cup Series. In retrospect, here are sometime.
quick-facts about the events and more specificallyThe ever-popular NASCAR's Nextel All-Star
the 2005 NEXTEL Cup Series. With final races heldChallenge race, is likely to return to Lowe's Motor
on Saturday, May 21, 2005, with capacity crowdsSpeedway near Charlotte in 2006, but NASCAR is
exceeding organizers' expectations and a newcontemplating its future, always with an eye on
champion, everyone's eyes are on the pre-seasonwhat tomorrow may bring to the sport in general
thunder and hopefuls in 2006!and the event in particular.
The Nextel Cup Series' second season, the 57thQuoted sources list The Charlotte Observer as
for NASCAR's premier division -- began inreporting that recently a vice president from
February 2005 at Daytona and ended 35 racesNextel, (official sponsors of the NASCAR's Cup
later with the Ford 400 at Homestead.It consistedseries as well as the all-star race), said that the
of 36-races in total, making up the 2005 Nextelcompany was satisfied with the Charlotte area's
Cup Series, including the season-ending 10-raceefforts for the race and indicated the event
Chase for the Nextel Cup "playoff." Tony Stewartwould likely come back in 2006.
tops the NASCAR world as the 2005 Nextel CupNASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter said nothing
Champion.has been decided about the long term. "Every
You might be asking what makes a driver eligibleyear, we revisit the idea of moving the all-star
for the Nextel Open and who or what to watchrace," he said. The story also lists that the all-star
for? Here are some of the general guidelines:event creates approximately $94 million dollars'
Little has changed in the rules for the NASCARworth of impact on the region's economy in travel
Nextel Cup Series (Open and All-Star Challenge).and tourism dollars spent.