NASCAR aims for All-Star resurgence

CONCORD, North Carolina — It’s the 25th anniversary of “One Hot Night,” the All-Star race that made the nighttime spectacular must-see TV.

NASCAR is hoping tonight’s running can replicate some of the magic from that 1992 showcase. That year was the first time the exhibition dash-for-cash was held under the lights at Charlotte. There was a full moon, a raucous crowd of more than 100,000 and a wild ending in which the winner was unconscious when he crossed the finish line. The driver, the late Davey Allison, went to the hospital and his damaged car did not go to victory lane. Nothing will likely top that race. NASCAR is in need of another memorable night. Why not today? The All-Star race this year, with Kyle Larson in the pole position, has the makings of one they will talk about it for 25 years — if the drivers treat it that way.

NASCAR has some good on-track competition right now, and the $1 million US made-for-TV event is a chance to showcase the storylines. There’s a changing of the guard and a youth movement afoot, and some of the older stars need to prove their relevancy. There’s no better stage to just throw it all to the wind than this.

As always, there’s a convoluted format that will lead to one 10-lap shootout for $1 million. This year, only 10 drivers will be allowed to compete in the final sprint.

The big shake-up is a softer tire and Goodyear officials seemed to be pretty excited after a Friday practice session. Stu Grant, Goodyear’s general manager of world-wide racing, thought the “bonus tire” was considerably faster. Grant said the tires are built to last at least one 20-lap run, so it was up to teams to decide when they wanted to use that softer batch. If a driver elects to use the tires in the final shootout, he must start at the rear of the field.