Toyota All Star Showdown Preview

January 8, 4:02 PMDetroit NASCAR ExaminerJosh Lobdell

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This is going to be a new feature over here at the Detroit NASCAR examiner. Thursday from hence forth shall be dedicated to the NASCAR Camping World East and West Developmental series.

Why do I think this is important and newsworthy? Well some big names namely Joey Logano got their big time NASCAR starts in these series. These series are also stock full of names all NASCAR fans should know. Guys like Austin Dillon, Marc Davis, Brian Ickler, Jason Bowles, and Ricky Carmichael are all guys that have cut or are cutting their teeth in these two regional series.

Carmichael will be moving up to the Truck series in 2009, Three Time truck champion Ron Hornaday spent much of his earl career in the West series, and 2008 First time truck series winner Matt Crafton have all made these two series one of the best racing series the Nation over.

For 2009 they have moved the biggest race from these series from the fall to now in January. The race will be held at Irwindale Speedway in California and is open to every champion from each of NASCAR’s developmental series, including the champions of the two international series (Canada and Mexico).

The final event of what promises to be a great race weekend at Irwindale will be run in cars approved for the Camping World East series. It is open to any driver NASCAR qualified to run on mile and half race tracks. Every race winner from the 2008 season gets a protected starting spot, as will all the series champions, including the series champions from the various Wheelen Modified tours. The remainder of the field will be set by qualifying time. There are some limited provisional for Camping World series regulars, as well as a last chance race to completely set the field.

This is without doubt the Daytona 500 of short track racing and several big name NASCAR stars will attempt to make the race. Hornaday and Crafton are scheduled to attempt the race.

Over the past five years this event has provided NASCAR race fans will exceptional action. Last year Logano legitimized his rising star status by beating out Peyton Sellers on a green white checkered finish.

In 2006 Reigning Camping World East Series Champion Matt Kobyluck finally won the event passing fellow East series driver Sean Caisse with ten laps to go.

With a very impressive lineup of hungry drivers, a few NASCAR stars thrown into the mix this year’s Toyota All Star Showdown promises to be the best one yet. It will air on the Speed channel as part of a package with their Rolex 24 hours of Daytona coverage.