This is a special edition of the Nascar Power Rankings. First, I'll rank the drivers who are locked in the main event (and not just 10, all 21 of them), then I will rank the top-5 drivers I expect to run up front and try to make the main event in the Sprint Showdown, and finally will give my prediction as to who will be the driver voted in. Without further ado, here are the All-Stars.


1. Dale Jarrett

The Sprint All-Star Race will be the last time we see Jarrett on the track again, as he gives a final farewell to his racing career. Jarrett will be sporting a special paint scheme for the event, as the former series champion tightens the belts one final time.

2. Carl Edwards

The way Cousin Carl has run on the 1.5 milers this year, claiming victory in two races in dominating fashion, he has to be a favorite heading into the All-Star Race. Don't be surprised if at the end of the night Carl is the one receiving the million-dollar check.

3. Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch is another driver to keep a close eye on. He won at Atlanta earlier this year, Lowe's' sister track, and has been the hottest driver in every Nascar series so far this year. If Kyle can be there at the end he'll likely win the race, after bouncing off the wall a couple of times, that is.

4. Jimmie Johnson

Johnson has had an amazing career at Lowe's, with five wins in points races there, and another two wins in the All-Star event. This year he's had some struggles at the 1.5 milers, but his 2nd place run at Texas brings potential for Johnson to break out and win his 3rd All-Star event.

5. Kevin Harvick

Harvick knows how to win this event, he did it just last year, outlasting Johnson to win by a couple car lengths. He also has two top-10's in the three races run at the 1.5 mile tracks.

6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Earnhardt is the only driver to ever win the All-Star event in his rookie season, when he won the race in 2000. With the consistency Jr. has shown this year on every type of track, you can count on him to contend for his second All-Star win.

7. Tony Stewart

Stewart has never won the All-Star event, but has several top-5 finishes, including a career-best 2nd in his first All-Star event in 1999. Stewart knows how to wrestle a car around any track, which makes him a favorite almost every week.

8. Jeff Gordon

Gordon is tied for the lead of most All-Star race victories with late Dale Earnhardt, having earned three wins in the event. However, he hasn't done so since 2001, when he won with a backup car, but has had four top-10's in the six races since, with a worst finish of 11th. Gordon also won at Lowe's last year in the fall race, breaking a streak of 5 finishes of 24th or worse.

9. Clint Bowyer

This young man has been impressing ever since he made the Chase last year. He will be making his first start in the All-Star race in his third year of competition, and after a 2nd place finish in the fall race last year, you can be certain that he will be a contender.

10. Mark Martin

Martin won this event in in 2005, and finished third last year. Martin is a man who always is sure to save his equipment for the end of the race. You may not hear much out of Mark until the 4th session, but he'll likely be there at the end.

11. Martin Truex Jr.

Truex will be making his 3rd start in the All-Star event, and for the first time won't have to race his way in, after claiming victory at Dover last year. Martin came from the back to finish 10th last year, with a little track position you could see Truex fighting for the win in the closing laps.

12. Denny Hamlin

Hamlin was involved in an accident in his first All-Star race last year, but has otherwise ran well at Lowe's, with three top-10's in five starts. Expect Hamlin to run up front with his teammates Kyle and Tony, and possibly seek the win.

13. Matt Kenseth

Matt Kenseth hasn't had the type of year he's accustomed to, with only five top-10's in 11 starts. However, Kenseth has won this event before, out-dueling Ryan Newman in the closing laps to win in 2004. If Kenseth can get anything going his way, he may just be able to run up front Saturday night.

14. Ryan Newman

Speaking of Newman, the Daytona 500 winner has also won this race, crossing the line first in 2002. Newman has also found some success on the 1.5 milers this year, with a 4th place finish at Texas.

15. Jeff Burton

Burton has never won the All-Star event, though he has won the Coca-Cola 600 twice and the Showdown once. He's finished in the top-10 in all three 1.5 mile races this year, with a best finish of 5th at Las Vegas.

16. Bobby Labonte

Driving the famous 43 car, Labonte will be making his lucky 13th start in the All-Star race, a race he has never won. Who knows, maybe the 43 will make more history on Saturday night with Labonte pulling into victory lane.

17. Greg Biffle

Biffle has never done very well at Lowe's, let alone in the All-Star race. He has an average finish of 27.6 at the track, with a best finish of 13th in the All-Star race. Things will need to change if Biffle is going to compete Saturday night.

18. Casey Mears

Mears made his first start in the All-Star race last year, benefiting from a victory earned by Brian Vickers in 2006 in the car he was driving. He was caught up in an accident and finished a lousy 18th, but then went on to win the Coca-Cola 600 the next week. That victory is what put Mears in the show, and maybe this year he'll have better results.

19. Kurt Busch

Busch has had an awful 2008 season, with only one top-10 in 11 races, the season-opening Daytona 500. Busch's career at Lowe's isn't that flashy either, with only two top-10's in 15 races. However, he has earned two top-5's in six All-Star events, but hasn't finished better than 19th in three of the last four.

20. Jamie McMurray

McMurray earned his first career victory at Lowe's while subbing for the injured Sterling Marlin in 2002 in just his 2nd career start. However since then he hasn't had much success, with an average finish outside the top-20, and a best finish of 18th in the All-Star race.

21. Juan Pablo Montoya

Last year Montoya made headlines in just the first corner of his first race at Lowe's, in the Sprint Showdown, when he got loose and sparked a large wreck which took out most of the field. A year later, Montoya is in the All-Star event thanks to his victory at Infineon, and hoping to find some success at Lowe's, where in two starts he's finished 28th and 37th.




Now, those who are trying to race their way in the Sprint Showdown:

1. Dave Blaney- Blaney usually runs well every week, but bad luck leaves him with poor finishes. If he can be there at the end, he'll probably be one of the two drivers who races his way in.

2. Travis Kvapil- Kvapil impresses every week, running up front with some of the most accomplished teams in the series. Don't be surprised to see his #28 up front.

3. Brian Vickers- Vickers earned Toyota's first top-5 at Lowe's last year, and has improved his performace this year. Vickers will likely be up front for most of the race.

4. David Ragan- Ragan's performance has greatly improved this year, with top-5's at Talladega and Darlington. Ragan could just race his way into the big show.

5. David Gilliland- Gilliland has also improved this year, with consistent top-15 runs for most of the year. If Gilliland can get track position, he may be able to finish in the top-2 and get in the All-Star Race.



Who would I vote in?

Ken Schrader- This is a guy who loves and lives for racing. Schrader deserves to be in the show and I hope other Nascar fans agree.