At the midway point of the Sprint Cup Series comes the highly-anticipated, fun All-Star Race. The winners from points races from 2015 to 2016 are eligible for this weekend’s All-Star Race. From the likes of the legendary Jimmie Johnson to the red-hot Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch, this year’s race is just brimming with talent. There’s also last year’s surprise winner Denny Hamlin and plenty more big-time drivers ready to blow you away.
Read on as we take a look at the field who automatically qualified for the All-Star Race. They’ll be joined by the winner of the upcoming Sprint Showdown on Friday. You can check out the complete preview of that race here. How much will the winner win? Find out with our purse/money breakdown.
You’ve got to favor Jimmie Johnson to win this race outright. He has the most wins in the Sprint All-Star Race history, most recently winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. He’s also been pretty hot this year with two Sprint Cup Series wins with five top fives and six top 10s. It’s also worth mentioning that Johnson is part of the Hendrick Motorsports team, which has won the most All-Star Races (eight) in its history.
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick may be the best NASCAR driver the past two years. Despite being a solid driver, he still does not have an All-Star Race win under his belt. Harvick enters this race as the points-leader in the series. He has a win, five top fives and nine top 10s this season. An All-Star Race win is the only thing missing on Harvick’s mantle, which could give him plenty of motivation to give his all in this race.
Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch is the winningest racer in the Sprint Cup Series this season. He’s won three times with nine top fives and nine top 10s. He’s been unstoppable since returning from a broken leg last year. Busch missed this race in 2015, which could have him extra motivated for an All-Star title. He has 12 top 10 finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway since switching over to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008.
Sleeper
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing won its first All-Star Race last year. Toyota won its first ever All-Star Race as a manufacturer also in 2015. It was all thanks to Denny Hamlin who breezed through the race in 1:33 at 106.5 mph. Hamlin has been good but not great this year. He has one win, three top fives and five top 10s this season. Expect him to give it his all when he attempts to win back-to-back All-Star titles.
Long Shot
Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne sits dangerously at the 16th spot in the Sprint Cup Series standings. While a big outing in the All-Star Race won’t do him any favors, it could certainly give him the momentum for great performances in the series. Kahne already has a win at Charlotte back in 2008. He was the first driver to win in a Dodge-manufactured car. Expect him to have his moments in this race.
Writer’s Prediction
Kevin Harvick wins his first career Sprint All-Star Race.
