The Ultimate All-Star Format
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05/04/2016 Jeremiah Thalheimer |
Greetings, readers. In a couple of weeks, the annual spectacle known as The Sprint All-Star Race will be upon us, and I figured I'd share my idea for a format that provides the right mix of drama and strategy. Anyway, thoughts are purely my own. Enjoy.
Sprint Showdown: Two 20-lap segments
Hold this event immediately before the All-Star Race with qualifying held by a random draw. The top three finishers of each segment advance to the All-Star Race and start at the rear of the field. Caution laps count, but each segment must end under green.
All-Star Race Segment One: 25 laps
After 25 laps, all drivers below 20th as well as any drivers not on the lead lap are eliminated. After the segment, cars are brought down pit road for a five minute break where teams can do anything including changing tires. After the break, the field is inverted for the second segment.
Segment Two: 50 laps
After 50 laps, all drivers below 15th and any drivers not on the lead lap are eliminated. Cars are once again brought down pit road for a five minute break. This time, the teams can do anything EXCEPT change tires. This will force teams to make a tire change sometime during the segment. After the break, the field is once again inverted.
Segment Three: 25 laps
After 25 laps, all drivers below 12th and anyone not on the lead lap is eliminated. Next, the field is inverted and the cars are brought down pit road for a mandatory four tire pit stop.
Segment Four: 25 laps
In this final segment, only green flag laps count. Also, the race must end under green. There will be unlimited attempts at overtime, and the race must end under green flag conditions. Drivers still can't race back to the caution, but the race will be restored no matter when the caution flag flies to ensure a green flag finish.
A few other wrinkles:
* During the first three segments, caution laps count, but the segments must end under green. The only exception is if all the necessary drivers are eliminated beforehand. In other words, if in the first segment all drivers below 20th wreck out or are not on the lead lap, the segment doesn't have to end under green.
* During the first three segments, teams are allotted only two sets of tires. This forces drivers to be aggressive while at the same time saving their equipment. Any tires drivers don't use during the first three segments may be banked for use in the final segment. This will reward drivers who are able to advance while still saving their equipment.
I think this will work for a few reasons. First of all, eliminations prevent drivers from just laying back in order to wait for the caution that comes between segments to work on their equipment if their car isn't quite right. The inversions will also force drivers to constantly race their way back to the front, and as I mentioned the limited sets of tires will force drivers to also save their equipment and will give crew chiefs a hand in the strategy of the race. Lastly, the pre-pit stop inversion prior to the last segment will give pit crews a chance to shine and help their drivers make up valuable track position.
Readers, I now ask you: what is your idea for the ultimate All-Star Race format?
Sprint Showdown: Two 20-lap segments
Hold this event immediately before the All-Star Race with qualifying held by a random draw. The top three finishers of each segment advance to the All-Star Race and start at the rear of the field. Caution laps count, but each segment must end under green.
All-Star Race Segment One: 25 laps
After 25 laps, all drivers below 20th as well as any drivers not on the lead lap are eliminated. After the segment, cars are brought down pit road for a five minute break where teams can do anything including changing tires. After the break, the field is inverted for the second segment.
Segment Two: 50 laps
After 50 laps, all drivers below 15th and any drivers not on the lead lap are eliminated. Cars are once again brought down pit road for a five minute break. This time, the teams can do anything EXCEPT change tires. This will force teams to make a tire change sometime during the segment. After the break, the field is once again inverted.
Segment Three: 25 laps
After 25 laps, all drivers below 12th and anyone not on the lead lap is eliminated. Next, the field is inverted and the cars are brought down pit road for a mandatory four tire pit stop.
Segment Four: 25 laps
In this final segment, only green flag laps count. Also, the race must end under green. There will be unlimited attempts at overtime, and the race must end under green flag conditions. Drivers still can't race back to the caution, but the race will be restored no matter when the caution flag flies to ensure a green flag finish.
A few other wrinkles:
* During the first three segments, caution laps count, but the segments must end under green. The only exception is if all the necessary drivers are eliminated beforehand. In other words, if in the first segment all drivers below 20th wreck out or are not on the lead lap, the segment doesn't have to end under green.
* During the first three segments, teams are allotted only two sets of tires. This forces drivers to be aggressive while at the same time saving their equipment. Any tires drivers don't use during the first three segments may be banked for use in the final segment. This will reward drivers who are able to advance while still saving their equipment.
I think this will work for a few reasons. First of all, eliminations prevent drivers from just laying back in order to wait for the caution that comes between segments to work on their equipment if their car isn't quite right. The inversions will also force drivers to constantly race their way back to the front, and as I mentioned the limited sets of tires will force drivers to also save their equipment and will give crew chiefs a hand in the strategy of the race. Lastly, the pre-pit stop inversion prior to the last segment will give pit crews a chance to shine and help their drivers make up valuable track position.
Readers, I now ask you: what is your idea for the ultimate All-Star Race format?