The NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series returns to California's Irwindale Speedway, this weekend for the second annual running of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.
The invitational event pits the top ten drivers from NASCAR's four Elite Divisions: Northwest Series, Southwest Series, Southeast Series and Midwest Series. The unique format not only declares an individual winner, but also crowns a team champion.
In the inaugural version of the event, Ron Breese, Jr, of DeKalb, Illinois scored the individual win while the Midwest Series dominated the team portion of the race by placing nine of its ten drivers in the top twenty.
A pair of 50-lap qualifying races will be held Friday, November 12. The finishing order of those will determine the starting lineup for Saturday nights 100-lap finale.
Under Saturday's format, the first 75-lap segment will determine the Elite Division team winner. After a five minute break, the drivers return to the .50-mile oval for a 25-lap showdown to determine the individual winner.
Friday's qualifying races will air on the SPEED Channel on a same-day tape delayed basis from 10:00 pm (CT) to 1:00 am. Saturday's finale will air on SPEED Channel live from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
In addition to the Elite Division, the Toyota All-Star Showdown features NASCAR's Grand National Division, pitting 15 Busch North drivers against 15 of their West Series counterparts in a separate 125-lap feature event.
Fast Facts
What: NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, featuring the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series.
Where: Irwindale (Calf.) Speedway.
When: Friday and Saturday, November 12-13.
Track layout: .50-mile, paved oval.
Race length: 100 laps, 50 miles.
Posted awards: $500,000.
2003 individual event winner: Ron Breese, Jr.
2003 team winner: NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series.
Television: SPEED Channel. Friday, November 12, 10:00 pm (CT) to 1:00 am (same-day tape delayed); Saturday, November 13, 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm (live).
Midwest Series Representatives: Justin Diercks (Davenport, Iowa), Steve Carlson (West Salem, Wisconsin), Brian Hoppe (Madison, Wisconsin), Tim Schendel (Sparta, Wisconsin), Eddie Hoffman (Wheaton, Illinois), Ryan Hanson (Beloit, Wisconsin), Bryan Roach (Becker, Minnesota), A.J. Rhoads, (Hastings, Minnesota), Russ Blakeley (Palmyra, Wisconsin), Justin Hirt (Tigerton, Wisconsin).
