All-Star Race: What Should Be Changed?

The 2012 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race had an interesting format. 5 segments, 90 laps, one winner gets the million dollars. The first four segments had 20 laps; the winner of the first segment will pit first, the second segment winner will pit second, and so on. If there was a repeat segment winner, it'll go the next driver yet to win a segment.

However, this format had one major flaw; drivers that won segments one through three found a loophole, they can hang out in the rear to save their cars until Segment Four ended. Is it a great idea to do this technique? Yes, but in my opinion, its a bit unfair that a driver that stayed in the rear for 3/4's of the race automatically gets to start up in front for the mandatory "pit stop".

How can NASCAR fix it if this stays for the 2013 All-Star race? Well, I think they should bring back the elimination format. Meaning after each segment, (x) amount of drivers will be eliminated. For example, for the first segment, you have to finish in the Top 20 to continue. If one driver fails to finish to the Top 20 at the end of segment one, they are eliminated from the rest of the race. This will give us even more wheel-to-wheel action for drivers to avoid elimination. And also drivers who won segments will be racing harder instead of hanging out in the rear.

Another way for NASCAR to fix the All-Star race is to fix up the final segment. Instead of 10 laps, it should be 20 or 30 laps, with a mandatory 4-tire green flag pit stop in that said segment. They should still keep the "caution laps do not count" rule. Yes, Jeff Burton found a loophole similar to this idea in the 2002 Winston, but drivers are unlikely to perform this loophole if it is in the final segment.

Is Kurt Busch Costing Himself Another Ride?

Kurt Busch (Photo Credit: TheHotLap)

He was released from Roush Racing (now called Roush-Fenway Racing) after the 2005 NASCAR Cup season. In 2011, about a month after a controversial interview with Dr. Jerry Punch showed up on YouTube, Penske Racing and Kurt Busch "mutually agreed" to part ways.

During the Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington, Kurt Busch had yet another controversial incident. After he spun from a cut tire in the closing laps, the anger levels was becoming like a ticking time bomb. Busch made a pit stop for repairs. As he left, he did a burnout through Ryan Newman's pit box, which had Newman's pit crew members over the wall at the time. One of the 39 team's crew members was not happy at Busch's action's and confronted Kurt Busch's crew chief, Nick Harrison, to voice their displeasure with Kurt's actions.

The "Anger Time Bomb" was getting ready to explode. When Kurt was told he had to start in the back for pitting too soon, the "Anger Time Bomb" went off:

Steve Barkdoll (#51 Spotter): "We've got to start in the back for pitting too soon"
Kurt Busch: "IS IT ONE TO GO YET?!"
(moments later)
Steve Barkdoll: "They want you to drop farther to the back"
Kurt Busch: "I AM (expletive) THERE! I'M (expletive) THERE! ALL THESE MOTHER(expletive) BEHIND ME ARE LAPS (expletive) DOWN! (expletive)"
Steve Barkdoll: "Alright man, cool down. Let's think and get some points here, (expletive) it"
Kurt Busch: "(expletive)! (expletive)!"

Kurt Busch ended up finishing 21st, the last car on the lead lap. But he he wasn't done. He had a post race altercation with some crew members of the 39 team. Because of this altercation, and his reckless driving for almost hitting crew members of the 39 team, NASCAR placed Kurt Busch on probation until July 25th (which is ten race weekends) and was fined $50,000.

Main question is: Is Kurt Busch costing himself another ride this season? You know Phoenix Racing, they are a underfunded team looking for some sponsors. In fact, its been rumored they might not fund the full season. They need sponsorship to run the full season. However, his actions he's had in his career might not attract enough sponsors.

Am I saying Phoenix Racing will release Kurt Busch? No. But if his actions continue and the team can't find any sponsorship, then its possible.