Twenty Cup drivers for All-Star race

Eighteen drivers from the current Nextel Cup field have their entry to the event guaranteed. Race-winning drivers and car owners from 2006 and 2007, Nextel Cup champions from the past 10 years who are still active and past winners of the All-Star Challenge automatically qualify for Saturday night's event.

Another two drivers will earn a place on the grid for the race by finishing first and second among the 33-car field of the Nextel Open, a qualifying event consisting of two 20-lap segments. One more entry to the All-Star race will go to a driver selected by the fans through the NASCAR Nextel Fan Vote.

The All-Star Challenge has a revised format for this year, with the race being split in four 20-lap segments. After the first 20 laps, teams have the option to pit under caution, but there will be a mandatory stop, also under caution, at the end of the third segment.

The order of teams exiting pit road after this third part, will be the starting line-up for the last 20 laps of racing.

Reigning Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson won the event last year, while points leader Jeff Gordon will be aiming to take a record fourth victory having won The Winston - as the All-Star Challenge was known until 2004 - in 1995, 1997 and 2001.

All-Star Challenge Entry List:

 #  Driver             Team
01  Mark Martin        US Army Chevrolet
 2  Kurt Busch         Miller Lite Dodge
 5  Kyle Busch         Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet
 8  Dale Earnhardt Jr  Budweiser Chevrolet
 9  Kasey Kahne        Dodge Dealers / UAW Dodge
11  Denny Hamlin       FedEx Freight Chevrolet
12  Ryan Newman        Alltel Dodge
16  Greg Biffle        Ameriquest Mortgage Ford
17  Matt Kenseth       DeWalt Ford
20  Tony Stewart       The Home Depot Chevrolet
24  Jeff Gordon        DuPont Performance Alliance Chevrolet
25  Casey Mears        National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet
29  Kevin Harvick      Pennzoil Platinum Chevrolet
31  Jeff Burton        Cingular Wireless Chevrolet
43  Bobby Labonte      Cheerios/Chocolate Chex Dodge
44  Dale Jarrett       UPS Toyota
48  Jimmie Johnson     Lowe's Power or Pride Chevrolet
83  Brian Vickers      Red Bull Toyota