Monster Energy All-Star Race format announced

The format is set for this year's Monster Energy All-Star Race, and it gives a nod to the 1992 version.

It was revealed Tuesday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the site of the event. This year's All-Star Race, dubbed "A Silver Anniversary Gold Rush," has been created to highlight both hard racing and pit road strategy.

Here's how the race will unfold:
- The race will feature four stages (20 laps/20 laps/20 laps/10 laps), totaling 70 laps, an ode to the 1992 edition of the same distance.

– The goal for all competitors: Earn a spot in the final 10-lap, 10-car stage.

– The winner of each of the first three stages will lock up a spot in the final stage, as long as they remain on the lead lap after the third stage.

– The cars with the best average finish in the first three stages will make up the remaining spots needed to fill the 10-car final stage.

– The remaining 10 cars will be lined up by average finish of the first three stages and given the option to pit. Exit off pit road determines starting order for final stage.

– The winner will be awarded $1 million.

In a new twist to the event, teams will also have the option of using one set of softer tires at their discretion. However, teams that choose to use the softer tires to start the final 10-lap stage will have to start behind the teams who are using a regular set of tires. The softer tire will provide additional grip and roughly a half-second of speed.

"The Monster Energy All-Star Race is designed to be fun for fans, showcasing the best drivers and race teams in NASCAR," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "With the effort that Goodyear has put into this race with multiple tire compounds, I am excited to see how the stages play out, especially the final 10-car, 10-lap sprint to the checkered flag."

The 2017 All-Star Race is set for May 21 and will start one hour earlier than in years past.

Setting the field for the All-Star Race will be held the Friday before the All-Star Race and will continue to be done by a three-lap qualifying session. Drivers must make a mandatory four-tire pit stop. What makes this qualifying session one of the most exciting of the year is that there is no speed limit on pit road.

New to qualifying is the Pit Crew Competition Award. The five quickest teams in qualifying will advance to the final round to determine starting positions one through five for the All-Star Race. The team that completes the fastest pit stop will win the award.

"The Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race is etched in the history of our sport for the most memorable moments, trend-setting innovation and big-money payouts," said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. "This new 70-lap format pays tribute to the 25th anniversary of 'One Hot Night' while pushing the drivers to the brink of insanity with the chances they'll take to win $1 million. I'm as ready as our fans for a May 20 Saturday night shootout where only a daredevil behind the wheel truly has a shot at Victory Lane."

The Monster Energy Open (formerly the Sprint Open) has also been moved back to Saturday ahead of the All-Star Race. The 20-20-10 lap race will advance the winner of each stage into the Monster Energy All-Star Race.

Eligibility for the Monster Energy All-Star Race is as follows: drivers who won a points event in either 2016 or 2017; previous Monster Energy All-Star Race winners who compete full-time; and drivers who won a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship and compete full-time.

Those who have not already earned a spot via the above criteria can still lock-in by winning a stage in the Monster Energy Open or by winning the Fan Vote.

Already locked into the All-Star Race: Chris Buescher, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and Martin Truex Jr.