Clint Bowyer, A.J. Allmendinger and Josh Wise will join 19 other drivers in Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway -- an event that pays $1 million to the winner.
Bowyer and Allmendinger finished 1-2 in Friday night's Sprint Showdown, the 40-lap preliminary event for the all-star race. Immediately after the showdown concluded, Josh Wise was named as the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote, beating popular driver Danica Patrick for the final transfer spot into the main event.
Bowyer led the way when the first 20-lap segment concluded. During the caution, Bowyer made a four-tire change while the other front runners took just two new tires in a round of pit stops. Bowyer started the second 20-lap segment in sixth but quickly charged to the front, passing Austin Dillon, the pole sitter, for the lead with 17 laps to go. Allmendinger then moved into second, while Dillon faded in the field.
Allmendinger crossed the finish line 2.5 seconds behind Bowyer. Casey Mears finished third, while Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola rounded out the top- five. Dillon ended up placing eighth, and Patrick was 10th. Patrick won the fan vote for last year's all-star race.
[SportsNetwork.com]
