Welcome to Speedweek in Charlotte. Home to a large majority of the NASCAR teams, everyone looks forward to visiting the race shops and Hall of Fame while in town for the All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600. Let’s take a look at what is going on this All-Star Race weekend.

Thursday kicks off the weekend with the Pit Crew Challenge set for 7 p.m. at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Pit strategy has played a key role in the outcome of several Sprint Cup events this season and it will be interesting to see which crew comes out on top in Thursday night’s competition.

On track action at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway begins Friday morning with two practice sessions for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers, the first at 9 a.m. and the second at 10:20 a.m. Cars competing in the Sprint Showdown, a qualifier for the All-Star Race, take to the track for their only practice at noon followed by All-Star practice at 1:35 p.m.

Qualifying for the N.C Education 200 Truck Series race takes place at 4 p.m. prior to qualifying for the Sprint Showdown and All-Star Race. A busy Friday ends with the N.C. Education 200 at 8:00 p.m., driver introductions begin at 7:30 p.m. SPEED will have live coverage if you can’t make it to the track.

Saturday starts with the Pennzoil Victory Challenge at 6:20 p.m. that includes top drivers doing their best burnout while being scored by celebrity judges. The 40-lap Sprint Showdown, two 20-lap segments, gets underway at 7:30 p.m. on SPEED with driver intros beginning at 7 p.m.

The 2011 Sprint Cup All-Star Race, scheduled to start around 9 p.m., consists of four segments. The first 50 lap segment is followed by a pair of twenty-lappers then a 10-lap dash for all of the marbles. 

NASCAR Nationwide Series teams are in Iowa this weekend with qualifying set for 4:40 p.m. Saturday and the 250-lap race goes green at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tune to ABC for live coverage. All times are eastern.

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