The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series shifts to Charlotte, North Carolina and the Charlotte Motor Speedway for this year’s Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race. While the race results won’t count towards the Sprint Cup standings, there will be more than enough incentives to win with $1 million in prize money on the line. 20 drivers will get the opportunity to compete for the $1 million prize with 16 locked in and four more needing to qualify for the race. The all-in approach to this race should create the level of buzz and excitement that NASCAR has consistently generated over the past couple of years.
Event Details
Event: Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race
Category: NASCAR Sprint Cup
Date: Saturday May 20, 2017
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, North Carolina
There are several ways to qualify for the field of 20 drivers that will start the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race. If a driver has won a points race in 2016 or 2017 they qualify. If the driver is a past All-Star race winner or Sprint Cup series champion then they can compete. Drivers can also qualify by winning one of the three stages in the Monster Energy Open that will precede the actual Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race. Finally, one lucky driver will make the field of 20 based on a fan vote that will take place before the race.
Past Five Winners
2016: Joey Logano
2015: Denny Hamlin
2014: Jamie McMurray
2013: Jimmie Johnson
2012: Jimmie Johnson
What To Know About The Track
Charlotte Motor Speedway became the first modern superspeedway to host night racing in 1992. 25 years later, it will host another edition of the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race under the bright lights. The legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway includes 24-degree banking in the corners. With only 20 drivers on the track, there is enough room to operate but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of bumping and grinding. The format for this event creates an added sense of urgency that really adds to the intensity of the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race.
The Field
16 drivers have already been locked in to this year’s Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race field with four more needing to qualify to get in. Jimmie Johnson is a four-time All-Star race winner so it’s no surprise that he is the sports betting favorite to win this event outright at +650 odds. Meanwhile, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch are all right behind Johnson at +700 odds to win the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race outright. Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski have been dialed in all year and are expected to be in the mix as well at +800 odds to win. The field of 16 is already locked in. However, it will be very interesting to see how things play out once the final four are added to the field for the $1 million race.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Kyle Larson over Kyle Busch
The current Monster Energy NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point leader has been a model of consistency this season. However, with $1 million on the line and no points up for grabs there is a good chance that Larson will try to be much more aggressive this weekend. That is something we saw from him a year ago when Larson was battling for the victory when he hit the wall in the closing laps. Larson should be just as aggressive this year and he could benefit from last year’s experience. Meanwhile, Busch has flashed his potential throughout the year but just hasn’t been able to put it all together and secure a victory. Larson might not win this race but he should finish ahead of Busch in the head-to-head sports betting matchup.
Top-Five Pick: Jimmie Johnson
The only four-time All-Star winner in the history of this event has been rock solid again this season. Johnson leads all active drivers with 82 points race victories and seven championships so it makes sense that he is listed as the sports betting favorite to win the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race. Johnson will be looking for his fifth-career All-Star win and even if he falls just short he should be able to finish in the top-five this Saturday night in Charlotte.
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