JP Manahan, Armchair Sports Blogger: nascar

This weekend, the NASCAR on FOX Sports (Asia) telecast will broadcast arguably the biggest all-star event in sports, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

With $1 million on the line for the winner, there is a huge incentive to go all out for the win.

Carl Edwards (2011 winner) says, “We all race very hard for every win. You drive as hard as you possibly can, but I can tell you this: leading that All-Star race the year we won it, for the last few laps, the stress level was through the roof. It is a million dollars! They put that big money on the line."

Kurt Busch (2010 winner) adds, "The All-Star race is very unpredictable and it always creates those big highlight moments. Charlotte challenges us in ways that other tracks don't, and that's why this track has always been deserving of the All-Star atmosphere.

Jimmie Johnson has won this race the last couple of years and is seeking a three-peat.

Nineteen teams have already secured qualification for the race, thanks to the special criteria:

1. Drivers who have won Sprint Cup races last season and so far this season.
2. Former Sprint Cup champions in the last ten years.
3. Past winners of the All-Star Race the last ten years.

Here are the qualified drivers as of the moment:

Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, David Ragan, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Martin Truex, Jr., Brian Vickers, Ryan Newman, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Kurt Busch

In addition, there will be three more entries. Two will come from the NASCAR Sprint Showdown that is to take place on Friday (Saturday here in Manila). The two teams on top after a 40-lap race (divided into two 20-lap segments), will be rewarded with a chance at the million.

The last entry goes to the winner of the fan vote conducted on the NASCAR website and the mobile app. Last day for voting is scheduled on Friday.

The breakdown of how this 90-lap race goes can be seen on the infographic below.

Regardless of the result, this race helps the teams prepare for the race the following week, the Coca-Cola 600. To be held at the same track, it is the longest race on the NASCAR calendar.

The NASCAR All-Star Race will be shown on May 18, Sunday, 8am on FOX Sports PH, with the initial replay on Monday, May 19, at 5pm.

NASCAR on FOX Sports PH is fueled by Seaoil Philippines, now powered with STP additives.

Greetings!

Hello and I wish you all a Happy National Heroes Day in the Motherland.

In a sport that is regarded highly by its citizens, any achievement by someone or by a team garner attention in these parts. Sure, the opponent is currently composed of imports plying their trade in the continent, but we Filipinos take pride in beating the Americans in the process of winning a tournament, something we have not accomplished in 14 years. Look at the curated reaction from the Motherland.

It was a satisfying victory for a nation starving for success in a sport it dearly loves. And as such, they come home on a holiday that honors heroism, something they have in spades.