By Cole Cusumano

For the first time in the 35-year running of the All-Star Race, the exhibition event would be run on a short track in Bristol Motor Speedway. While Charlotte Motor Speedway provided the sport with years of excitement, it became apparent that it was time for a venue change, as the prestige of this race began to fade over the last decade.

The NASCAR Cup Series’ best had a strong act to follow after an action-packed All-Star Open preceded the main event on Wednesday night.

Entering the 140-lap race, there were a multitude of themes that headlined the festivities in Tennessee. Namely, the underglow application, number placement and ‘The Choose Rule’ implementation.

When the news broke the number traditionally placed on the doors of the stock cars would be moved to in front of the rear-wheel wells, fans went into a frenzy. After seeing the cars in action, this could actually end up being a change the sport embraces in the future.

There were a few cars where the numbers would be too small or have oddly high placement, but overall it really wasn’t that bad. Not to mention, the reasoning behind this decision was made to leave more room for the sponsors.

Sponsorship dollars play a large role in the funding and success of NASCAR. If this experiment indeed turns out to be a new custom, it could lead to an allure for more marketing dollars. Anytime the sport can receive more attention from investors it’s a great sign and it should be embraced in the name of growth.

Speaking of allure, there was also the highly anticipated use of the underglow applied to the cars locked into the event. The end results? Underwhelming.

When Kurt Busch took to the streets of Nashville for the burnout competition last December with neon green radiation from his No. 1 Chevrolet, it drove fans wild. What we got in the All-Star race was a slight glow from underneath the rear of the cars.

While it was really cool to see on track, it honestly wasn’t as great as it could have been. Should NASCAR use underglow in the future, they may want to consider running it along the entire length of the car.

Lastly came ‘The Choose Rule’ — an implementation that drivers had been dreaming about coming a reality for years. It really didn’t play much of a factor at all in the Open or the opening stage of the main event, but it proved to be the difference-maker in the second segment.

Chase Elliott, who fired off pit road second, would have lined up on the inside lane had the rules remained the same. Instead, the 24-year-old opted to restart in the preferred outside lane in fourth behind race leader Kevin Harvick. From there, he snagged the lead and never looked back.

Elliott joined his father, Bill, as the only drivers to win an All-Star Race outside of Charlotte. They also joined the Earnhardt’s as the second father-son duo to win the coveted event.

Aside from this eventual race winning move, ‘The Choose Rule’ didn’t play a large factor in either event. However, this is something that should be tested further at a track where the cars are more dependent on aerodynamics.

As for the racing overall, it was a highly anticlimactic All-Star Race. Having said that, the competition around the track was still lightyears ahead in entertainment value, contrasted to Charlotte in years past.

Drivers like runner-up, Kyle Busch, and third-place finisher, Kevin Harvick, cited the reasoning for bland racing being the traction compound only being applied at the bottom of the track. It was clear on television and reaffirmed from the stars of the night that it was nearly impossible to run the high-line in the corners without breaking loose.

Whether the All-Star Race remains in Bristol or changes venues, it should be a welcomed sight all around. While many of the headlines entering this race didn’t quite pan out, there’s always room for improvements and the sport will adapt to trial and error. 

Between ‘The Choose Rule,’ underglow and number placement, we could have very well caught a glimpse at the future of NASCAR. Racing and experimenting aside, it was refreshing to see and hear the roars of fans in attendance, and it was only fitting that NASCAR’s All-Star won the All-Star Race.