Toyota All-Star Showdown
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The Toyota All-Star Showdown is an nonpoints, all-star race that brings together the top drivers in NASCAR's lower-level series.
It was inaugurated in 2004, and all three events so far have been held at Irwindale Speedway in suburban Los Angeles.
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[edit] 2006 format
In 2006, the Showdown was a two-race card, as it had been throughout its brief history. One was for drivers in the AutoZone Elite Division, comprising the Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest divisions. The other was for drivers in the Grand National Division, which was made up of the Busch East and AutoZone West Divisions.
The top 15 drivers in points in each of the two Grand National series comprised the field for that division's race for a total of 30, while the top 10 drivers in points in each of the four Elite series set the field for that division's race, or 40 in total.
On Friday night, the fields were split in half and the drivers competed in qualifying races (akin to the Gatorade Duel) to determine the starting lineup for the following night's main event. The drivers with the worst position in their respective division's standings started at the front of the field, and the lineups were filled by alternating the series. (For example, a Northwest driver followed by a Southeast driver followed by a Southwest driver followed by a Midwest driver.)
Drivers in the first race took the inside lanes for the Saturday main event, while those in the second race took the outside lane. All drivers entered automatically qualified for the main race.
[edit] 2007 Format
The 2007 Showdown will be held October 19-20, again at Irwindale Speedway, with a new two-day format.
The first race will now be a 150-lap Super Late Model race held on the Friday night, with any Super Late Model racer who races in a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track eligible for the event.
The Grand National race will feature major changes:
- The race is 250 laps and features a 40-car starting field.
- Top 15 drivers in both Grand National divisions invited and receive bonus money.
- Any driver approved by NASCAR to race in this division at tracks of one-half mile or greater may attempt this race. (Previously, only the top 15 in each division was eligible.)
- Only exempt cars automatically qualify for the race.
- Exemptions will be awarded on the following (Any Grand National team may help these champions in other cars obtain a ride):
- Any Grand National race winner in 2007.
- All NASCAR Regional Series champions for 2007
- Busch East Series
- NASCAR West Series
- Whelen Modified Tour
- Whelen Southern Modified Tour
- Canadian Tire Series
- Mexico Series
- Whelen All-American Series National Champion
- These exempt drivers (minimum seven) will be added with the top cars from Friday qualifying to form a 30-car starting field.
- A 50-lap last chance qualifier will establish the final ten cars for Saturday's 250-lap feature.
[edit] Winners
[edit] Grand National Division
- 2006: Matt Kobyluck, East
- 2005: David Gilliland, West
- 2004: Mike Johnson, East
[edit] Elite Division
- 2006: Tim Schendel, Midwest
- 2005: Auggie Vidovich, Southwest
- 2004: Eric Holmes, Southwest
