So if this "segment winners are guaranteed to start up front at the end" bullshit results in four guys sandbagging like hell, how does that make the show better?

Carl done blowed up.

What? Guys will be going for the win each segment.

carl's engine blew up ... says, he's done.

JJ sure as hell won't, it seems. What about the guy who takes this segment?

Well yeah, but you'll have the rest of the field going for the win. In the past, guys would just ride till the last 10 laps.

The 2012 Sprint Showdown:

· Segment 1: 20 laps with a caution at the end, teams can elect to pit, but lose position

· Segment 2: 20 green flag only laps

. Top two finishers earn a berth in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race

. The driver with the most votes of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Showdown also earns a NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race berth

The 2012 All-Star Challenge race format is as follows:

· Segment 1: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of Segment 1 for an optional pit stop.

· Segment 2: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of Segment 2 for an optional pit stop.

· Segment 3: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of Segment 3 for an optional pit stop.

· Segment 4: 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the end of Segment 4, once the field takes a lap behind the pace car, winners of segment 1-4 linup in that order before heading on to pit road for a madatory four-tire pit stop. The order in which the cars exit pit road is how they will line up for the 10-lap shootout with only green-flag laps counting

. Segment 5: 10 green flag laps.

Yeah, you've got a point. I was envisioning four guys just riding half a lap behind in the next-to-last segment.

Woo Junior takes it back from Ambrose!

I don't understand why you would take 4 fresh tires on that last pit stop - to run ten laps

Cryle saying his team is ****ing him. It's their fault he's 15th.

Jr. has a wicked fast car.

If Kahne wins this segment, I'd bet that Hendrick will end up with 3 segment wins. Kesolowski and Kahne would pit, Jr likely won't pit after this segment.

3rd Segment

Keselowski
Kahne
Junior
Allmendinger

Nice move