NASCAR: Bowyer wins Showdown race

Clint Bowyer and AJ Allmendinger earned their places in NASCAR's All-Star event by finishing first and second in Friday evening's Showdown qualifying race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

All drivers who won Sprint Cup rounds in 2013-'14 plus past champions and All-Star victors went straight into Saturday night's main event, leaving the remaining Cup regulars to try to race their way in via the Showdown.

Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota driver Bowyer passed long-time leader Allmendinger's JTG Daugherty Chevrolet just before the end of the first of the two 20-lap segments.

Bowyer was first out among the drivers who changed all four tires in the mid-event pitstops and made short work of the two-tire-changers and non-stoppers once racing resumed for part two, with Allmendinger following him through to second.

While those two were soon out of reach, Casey Mears battled past Marcos Ambrose for third. Ambrose had flown back up the order after an early brush with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. put him into a wild slide early in the first segment. Pole winner Austin Dillon faded to eighth by the end of the event.

A third All-Star spot was decided by a fan vote, with Phil Parsons Racing's underdog Josh Wise getting the nod. Wise, who finished 18th in the Showdown, has galvanised online support to "crowd-fund" his Cup campaign this year.

Bowyer, Allmendinger and Wise complete a 22-car field for the non-championship All-Star race, which offers a million dollar prize to its winner.