Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 AFLAC Ford, gestures in the garage area, after practice for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) Yea, I said it! 🙂

The most interesting thing about the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race was the the driver & crew introductions. I’m not even kidding.

Seriously, did ANYTHING happen during that race? I really think everybody saying, “Ooooh, there’s no points at stake, anything can happen!!! the gloves are really gonna come off! Squee!!!” really made it lame. It was just boring. And come to think about it, why would no points at stake and a million dollars be that much more of a motivation for them? Winning the Championship is a far, far bigger deal than the All-Star race will ever be, so I’m not expecting anyone to go above and beyond to win it.

It’s not good when a race ends and I’m just indifferent, like it didn’t even happen.

Also, I find it really interesting how NASCAR drivers can get away with acting like they need a million dollars. Ok, throw in some Nationwide Series or Truck Series guys, or even better, the dudes in the K&N Pro Series, and you’d see a REAL dash for cash. Carl Edwards could ALREADY afford to put his kids through college, this race wasn’t going to be the difference between them going or not.

Anyhoo… here are some photos! 🙂


Dierks Bentley kicked the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race day off with a free concert for fans at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Dierks Bentley kicked the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race day off with a free concert for fans at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Kimi Raikkonen, driver of the No. 15 Perky Jerky Toyota, stands with Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota, in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20 in Charlotte, N.C. (Credit: Streeter Lecka, Getty Images for NASCAR)

Kimi Raikkonen, driver of the No. 15 Perky Jerky Toyota, stands with Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota, in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20 in Charlotte, N.C. (Credit: Streeter Lecka, Getty Images for NASCAR)

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez talks with Kyle Busch on the grid before the start of the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR)

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez talks with Kyle Busch on the grid before the start of the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Kasey Kahne was the first winner of the day at Charlotte Motor Speedway, winning the Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge, AKA the burnout contest. (Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Kasey Kahne was the first winner of the day at Charlotte Motor Speedway, winning the Pennzoil Ultra Victory Challenge, AKA the burnout contest. (Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Clint Bowyer gets some last minute pointers from NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson in the Drivers Meeting before the NASCAR Sprint All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Clint Bowyer gets some last minute pointers from NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson in the Drivers Meeting before the NASCAR Sprint All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. greets his fans after being announced as the Sprint Fan Vote winner which transferred him into his 12th straight NASCAR Sprint All Star Race. (Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. greets his fans after being announced as the Sprint Fan Vote winner which transferred him into his 12th straight NASCAR Sprint All Star Race. (Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Carl Edwards does his trademark victory backflip after tearing up his car sliding through the infield grass at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Carl Edwards does his trademark victory backflip after tearing up his car sliding through the infield grass at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR)