CONCORD, N.C. -– Wednesday night’s All-Star Race will be another exciting short-track duel among the top drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series.
After the no-holds-barred event was moved to Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR implemented the “Choose Rule” for the first time. With the rule coming from the grassroots levels of racing, drivers will have the opportunity to choose their restart position in either lane.
Normally, the leader chooses what lane they would like to restart with the rest of the field filling in accordingly. However, the choose rule allows all drivers a chance to choose their restart lane and potentially be able to move inside the top 10 by picking the lane outside the groove and collecting a big payoff on the restart.
“I’m for sure excited to use the choose cone in the All-Star Race,” said William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Axalta Sea Glass 2.0 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. “There’s no doubt that I think it will add an extra layer of strategy and excitement. It’s going to be a tool that will make this into an incredible race and keep people on their toes more than they already would be at a place like Bristol. It brings me back to my early days in racing. The race itself is going to be phenomenal. I’m really looking forward to see how this plays out.”
There will be a designated spot on the track where drivers will have to declare their lane choice. If the driver does not choose a lane by that point, he will restart at the back of the pack.
“I have used the choose cone racing legend cars when I was just getting started in my career,” said Chase Elliot, driver of the No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. “I think the cone is a great idea and has been needed for a long time in the Cup Series. I think there really is no reason why we shouldn’t have the choice at these one-lane restart tracks.”
Check out the video above for an in-depth explanation of the "Choose Rule" and be sure to tune in to the Open and the All-Star Race on Wednesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. ET to see the Hendrick Motorsports take on Bristol Motor Speedway for a chance to earn a $1 million payday.