2012 NASCAR All-Star Race rundown
When
Saturday, May 19, 9 p.m. ET (Speed)
Where
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.Eligibility
- Race winners from the previous and current NASCAR Sprint Cup seasons.
- Top-two finishers of the Sprint Showdown, a preliminary event for teams not qualified for the all-star event.
- Driver voted in by fans.
- All-Star race winners from the previous 10 seasons (2002-2011) who are active drivers and have competed in at least one series event during the 2011 or 2012 seasons.
- NASCAR Cup Series champions from the previous 10 seasons (2002-2011) who are active drivers and have competed in at least one series event during the 2011 or 2012 seasons.
| Driver | Appearances | Best finish |
| Marcos Ambrose | 0 | --- |
| Trevor Bayne | 0 | --- |
| Greg Biffle | 8 | 2 (2008) |
| Clint Bowyer | 3 | 12 (2009) |
| Kurt Busch | 10 | 1 (2010) |
| Kyle Busch | 6 | 2 (2011) |
| Carl Edwards | 6 | 1 (2011) |
| Jeff Gordon | 18 | 1 (1995, '97, 2001) |
| Denny Hamlin | 5 | 4 (2009, '10) |
| Kevin Harvick | 11 | 1 (2007) |
| Jimmie Johnson | 10 | 1 (2003) |
| Kasey Kahne | 8 | 1 (2008) |
| Matt Kenseth | 11 | 1 (2004) |
| Brad Keselowski | 0 | --- |
| Mark Martin | 22 | 1 (1998, 2005) |
| Paul Menard | 0 | --- |
| Ryan Newman | 10 | 1 (2002) |
| David Ragan | 1 | 8 (2011) |
| Regan Smith | 1 | 20 (2011) |
| Tony Stewart | 13 | 1 (2009) |
| 2012 Sprint Showdown Winner | ||
| 2012 Sprint Showdown Second Place | ||
| 2012 Sprint Fan Vote | ||
Qualifying
Friday, May 18, 6:05 p.m. ET.
Each driver will run three laps with a mandatory four-tire pit stop. The total elapsed time will comprise each team's qualifying effort.
Distance/Rules
90 laps, 135 miles
There will be five segments:
- Segment 1: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of the segment for an optional pit stop. Teams may elect to pit for fuel, tires and normal chassis adjustments. Teams pitting will not retain their position on the race track and will restart at the rear of the field in the order they leave pit road. Winner of segment will be positioned first for mandatory pit stop following Segment 4.
- Segment 2: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of the segment for an optional pit stop. Teams may elect to pit for fuel, tires and normal chassis adjustments. Teams pitting will not retain their position on the race track and will restart at the rear of the field in the order they leave pit road. Winner of segment will be positioned second for mandatory pit stop following Segment 4. If winner of segment is same as Segment 1, the driver who finished second will be positioned second for mandatory pit stop following Segment 4.
- Segment 3: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of the segment for an optional pit stop. Teams may elect to pit for fuel, tires and normal chassis adjustments. Teams pitting will not retain their position on the race track and will restart at the rear of the field in the order they leave pit road. Winner of segment will be positioned third for mandatory pit stop following Segment 4. If winner is the same as either of the first two segements, the position will go the second-place finisher, and if he's also a previous segment winner, then the position will go to the third-place finisher.
- Segment 4: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of the segment for a mandatory pit stop ahead of Segment 5. Highest finishing driver without a win in Segments 1-3 will be positioned fourth entering the pit stop. Drivers need only make a stop and go, actual service to the car is NOT a requirement. The order in which they leave pit road will be how they line up for the start of Segment 5.
- Segment 5: 10 laps.
Sprint Showdown
To be held prior to the main All-Star event. Green flag approximately 7:30 p.m. ET (Speed)
Eligibility: Drivers not already eligible for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race who have been approved by NASCAR for Sprint Cup Series competition and have met all other eligibility requirements. Those requirements include, but are not limited to, competing in a Sprint Cup Series event during the 2011 or 2012 seasons; finishing in the top 50 of the final 2011 Sprint Cup Series point standings or attempting to qualify for a 2012 Sprint Cup Series event.
Length: The Sprint Showdown will consist of 40 laps, 60 miles, and will be run in two 20-lap segments. Between segment 1 and segment 2, there will be a yellow flag during which teams can pit and may elect to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments. Teams pitting will not retain their position on the track and will start segment 2 at the rear of the field in the order they leave pit road. All restarts will be double file with lapped cars at the rear of the field.
Three advance: The top two finishers in the Sprint Showdown will earn starting spots in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. A third driver will also advance as determined by a fan vote.
Entry list:| AJ Allmendinger | Bobby Labonte | Tony Raines |
| Aric Almirola | Stephen Leicht | David Reutimann |
| Mike Bliss | Joey Logano | Scott Speed |
| Jeff Burton | Jamie McMurray | David Stremme |
| Landon Cassill | Casey Mears | Martin Truex Jr. |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Juan Pablo Montoya | Josh Wise |
| David Gilliland | Joe Nemechek | J.J. Yeley |
| Travis Kvapil |
