Nextel OpenBoth the Open and the Challenge are non-points races.
Cars not automatically qualified for the Challenge have to race their way in. The winner of the Open transfers to the Challenge Race. Automatic qualifiers are anyone who has won a race this season or last, any previous Challenge winners still racing, any previous Cup champion still racing, the winner of the Open, and 1 driver from the non-qualified group makes it in based on fan voting.*
Results:1 - Brian Vickers/25/ditech.com-GMAC --dirty bastard**
9 - Ken Schrader/49/Red Baron's Pizza --Mark
14 - Jaime McMurray/42/Texaco-Havoline --Cadi
*Last year, the driver voted in was...wait for it, Ken Schrader. This year, Martin Truex Jr. in the Dale Earnhardt Incorporated Bass Pro Shops-Tracker Boats #1. Its seems to me that a part time driver(He only ran four times this year.) in a part time ride(The car has only ran a handful of times as well.) that isn't running the full schedule shouldn't be eligible. Add to that the fact that his performance in the four races he has run is anything but All Star-like, his best result in those four races was a 21st at Talladega back in April. And most amazing of all, he has yet to finish a race in Nextel Cup. So that's four starts and four DNFs(Did Not Finish), yeah that guy should absolutely be an All Star. Just one more kiss the ring moment, where the fans try to re-envision the Holy Trinity...you know, the Father, the Son and Michael Waltrip. Go read the
We Wonder column at nascar.com, he and I are on the same page.
** On the last lap of the Open, coming out of Turn 4, headed for the finish line, Brian Vickers intentionally spun Mike Bliss allowing him to pass and get the win. Afterward, instead of being apologetic, he showed what a true punk too many of the young drivers on the circuit are becoming.
So anyway, Vickers transferred to the Challenge and Truex was voted in.
Nextel All Star Challenge1 -- Mark Martin/6/Viagra -(Jerry)
2 -- Brian Vickers/25/ditech.com-GMAC -(see ** above)
4 -- Jeff Gordon/24/Dupont Performance Alliance -(Craig)
6 -- Dale Jarrett/88/UPS -(Darla)
10 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr/8/Budweiser -(Stephanie)
13 -- Rusty Wallace/2/Miller Lite -(Nancy)
14 -- Greg Biffle/16/National Guard-Subway -(Jerry's Replacement Driver pending Martin's retirement)
15 -- Carl Edwards/99/Scotts Miracle Gro -(Mark)
16 -- Kasey Kahne/9/Dodge Dealers/UAW -(...cause Cadi thinks he's cute)
18 -- Kevin Harvick/29/GM Goodwrench -(John)
20 -- Michael Waltrip/15/NAPA Auto Parts -(Cadi)
22 -- Martin Truex Jr/1/Bass Pro Shops-Tracker -(see * above)