Rate this article:
Victory By Design: Ferrari DVD
Alain de Cadenet, a long-time Ferrari enthusiast and aficionado, drives some of the great sports racers and sports cars.
Our Price: $24.95
Racer Magazine - Subscribe Now
Get all of the inside information from America's Premiere Motorsports Magazine
Our Price: $29.95
SPEED Khaki Sandwich Bill Cap
Washed chino twill, constructed mid crown w/ pre-curved sandwich visor.
Our Price: $14.00 ON SALE!
Written by:
David Harris
04/17/2008 - 05:36 AM
Charlotte, N.C.
SPEED will televise the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXIV and the NASCAR Sprint Showdown live on May 17, as well as provide more than 90 hours of support programming prior to the event. Stay tuned to SPEEDtv.com for frequent updates... ยป More Photos
STERLING MARLIN, JEFF GORDON, MICHAEL WALTRIP & TONY STEWART ALL FOUND SUCCESS AFTER WINNING NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE PRELIMINARY
NASCAR SPRINT SHOWDOWN & NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE XXIV LIVE RACE COVERAGE MAY 17 BEGINS at 7 P.M. ET on SPEED
The upcoming American Idol season finale on FOX has often turned out to be a first-blush look at entertainment’s upcoming talent. Stars such a Clay Akin, Kelly Pickler, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood all gained notoriety while competing against each other on national television, flourishing almost outside the ‘dog-eat-dog’ world of the more established general entertainment industry.
While it’s a stretch to think the newly named NASCAR Sprint Showdown is akin to American Idol, over the years, up-and-coming drivers have established winning credentials among the non-qualifiers preliminary to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXIV, which can be seen on SPEED live, May 17 starting at 7 p.m. E.T/4 p.m. PT from Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
Once known as the ‘Open,’ the Sprint Showdown has been often characterized as an ‘open audition’ for drivers who, at the time, weren’t always the headliners on any given weekend. The Sprint Showdown features all the drivers who haven’t won a race in the previous calendar year, as it gives them a final opportunity to earn their way to All-Star glory.
NASCAR Raceday and NASCAR Victory Lane co-host Jimmy Spencer, a Showdown winner in 1996, thinks the race can be quite important to a young driver’s career.
“The established drivers really watch the Sprint Showdown,” Spencer said. “I don’t think everyone knows how important that race could be for one’s career, as they could catch the eye of a Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart or Dale Earnhardt, Jr. It’s an opportunity for a driver to shine, get the attention of the other drivers, and then have them go back to their car owners and ask, ‘Did you see that run? They have some talent.’ I think some drivers take that race for granted, but it could help your career more than you even realize.”
Spencer’s NASCAR Raceday, NASCAR Victory Lane on-air partner and NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace agreed.
“Just being a part of the electricity and history of that weekend is special, especially for the young drivers who are getting to experience it for the first time,” Wallace noted. “I’ve been in a few Sprint Showdowns and have even made it into a few All-Star races. The first Open I ever ran was as a sub for Kyle Petty and then last year the fans voted me into the All-Star race.”
Stars Are Born in the Sprint Showdown
The late Benny Parsons claimed the first Showdown in 1986, the only time the event was run at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Hall of Famer Buddy Baker grabbed the second one in 1987. Tennessee upstart Sterling Marlin, son of famed stock car runner ‘Coo Coo’ Marlin, drove a Billy Hagan-owned Chevrolet to victory circle in 1988. Marlin followed that next year with a similar performance winning the race in 1989 as well. Eventually, Marlin positioned himself to drive for Morgan-McClure Racing – after stints with Junior Johnson and Stavola Brothers Racing – where he won back-to-back Daytona 500s in 1994 and 1995.
SPEED analyst and current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and team owner Michael Waltrip received his first real attention in 1991 and ’92, as the Showdown became his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race victories. He’s also the only driver to win the All-Star race after claiming one
Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon has had his moments in the Showdown as well, the then rookie showed flashes of greatness in the 1993 edition, driving out to a straightaway lead before getting loose in turn three and backing it into the wall. Gordon went on to finish second in the Coca-Cola 600 that next weekend en route to claiming the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year award. In 1994, Gordon won the Showdown, and took that momentum on to win the 600 the next weekend – the first Sprint Cup points triumph of his career.
Tony Stewart, a two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Series titlist, has also leaped from his successes in the Showdown. After winning the IndyCar Series championship in 1997 and establishing himself in stock car racing at Joe Gibbs Racing in 1998, Stewart burst onto the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series scene full-time in 1999 by winning his first race in the Sprint Showdown. He went on to finish second in the All-Star race that night and scored three victories later in the season to capture NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors.
Speaking of parlaying the Sprint Showdown, last year’s winner Martin Truex, Jr., went on to win his first points paying race at Dover International Raceway just two weeks hence that victory, propelling the DEI driver into his first Chase for the Championship at the end of the season.
“That race (Sprint Showdown) is a chance for drivers and teams to shine, while at the same time getting prepared and gaining valuable knowledge for the next week’s Coca-Cola 600,” Wallace said. “The entire All-Star weekend is electric! There is nothing on the line but pride, no points, no driving safe to maintain a position… it’s all about winning and if you can’t win it’s about having fun and gaining as much information as you can to help you in the 600 the next weekend. For young drivers and drivers outside the top-35 in points, there is no other track or other weekend where they will get that much practice leading into one of the biggest races of the year.”
Even though his biggest triumphs came while winning at Daytona International Raceway, Spencer still looks fondly back on his Sprint Showdown success.
“I won the Open in ’96,” said Spencer, who was driving Junior Johnson’s No. 26 entry at the time. “It was a great race, but it was hard to think I even had a chance. With about eight laps to go, I was almost a straightaway behind Steve Park – who was leading. But then I found the groove and said to myself, ‘I can beat this guy.’ Well, I chopped into the lead and eventually caught and passed him.’ I heard from so many crew chiefs and team members that night as well – they thought it was one of the coolest things they had seen. That race can really bring you the right attention form the garage area if you do well.”
Share Your Comments Here...
SPEED is the nation's first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 78 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority.
View All Comments
- Press Releases | Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | FOXReality | National Geographic - © Copyright 2008 Speed Channel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
