NASCAR's All-Star Race Best Among All-Star Gatherings

I know. NASCAR is boring because all the drivers do is "turn left".

The theory that all they do is turn left is correct, but NASCAR is not boring and last evening's All-Star Race proved that. Look at the other All-Star games.

The NFL Pro Bowl is really a joke, but football is in a bad spot here. There's no clear time to hold the event. The fans aren't solely responsible for the starters as the coaches and players also have a say to avoid a popularity contest. But shouldn't this be for the fans? It really seems all the Pro Bowl is for is players either receiving a winners or losers check. And don't forget that most of the time, the players that are selected (even though they all say it's an honor to be selected) don't even show up to play. They devise some sort of injury reason to avoid the travel and the game.

On that note, I do excuse Brett Favre from last year's game. His ankle was busted pretty bad in the NFC Championship.

Major League Baseball added a purpose to their All-Star Game when Bud Selig in his infinite wisdom decided to award home filed advantage to the league that won. It takes away from the exhibition feel, but adding that "incentive" has seen a number of reason why other changes should be made to the setup. Some say the rosters should be cut back instead of expended as they were recently. Others have the opinion that be placing such a "incentive", they will ask if it's necessary to have a representative from every team. That could also lead to a decrease in roster size. The fans vote for the starters, but almost all of them are out of the game by the fifth inning. Managers feel the pressure to play every position player and that could offset most forms of strategy, too.

While there's no such incentive for the NHL's All-Star Game, they do offer the skills competition on the evening prior to the game. The stars of the league have an opportunity to show off their wares, but that's about it. The game itself couldn't be more boring. Seeing goals scored is nice, but where's the hitting? Isn't that one of many reasons why hockey appeals to some (other than seeing a fight)? Sure, some will flip it on a hockey game just to see if there's a scuffle or two, but we want to view thundering open ice hits, too. There's the injury risk, sure, but, physical play carries a game. The NHL All-Star severely lacks there.

The NBA's All-Star Weekend is an awesome spectacle and is the next best All-Star gala. The fans vote the players who start. They add the 3-point and slam dunk contest. The weekend as something for everyone. The game itself is nothing more than a glorified exhibition that holds zero purpose other than to entertain the fans. That's what All-Star games should be, right?

NASCAR has this All-Star thing down pat.

Fan voting? Sure. After the first "segment" the fans cast a vote to determine one driver to continue.

All the drivers have as shot. If you're fortunate enough to qualify well, advance by finishing 1st or 2nd in the Showdown or attain the fan vote, you have a shot at winning...and here's where NASCAR dials up the intensity meter.

Incentive? How about a purse of $1 million to the winner. Plus, if you win a segment, you get $25,000. Not bad for a days work.

But this isn't only for the drivers and their teams. The fans snatch the opportunity to also boast about how their favorite driver won the biggest event of the season. Those at Daytona, Indy, Darlington and even Talladega may disagree, but no question winning the All-Star Race can lead to good things.

Just ask Michael Waltrip. He had never won a points-based race, but he did mange to win the All-Star Race and collect that check. He turned that into a stint at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. where he did win a race or two.

Just ask Tony Stewart. Just last year, Stewart's fledgling team, Stewart-Haas, was having a bit of struggle. Stewart won the All-Star Race which kick started his 2009 season and landed him in the Chase.

Last night was one for Kurt Busch. Catch the last few laps here.



Congrats, Kurt...and please calm down your brother.