On a night where there was a 60 percent chance of rain, the All Stars of NASCAR were shining bright, under the lights of Charlotte Motor Speedway. From the first 50 - lap segment to the final 10 - lap shoot-out, the best in racing show why they keep coming back for this event every year.

Most races are about points, and keeping yourself in the top 12 to make the chase at the end of the season, but this race is about one thing and that’s cold hard cash. With the winner receiving over $1 million in winnings, teammates and friends had no place on the track Saturday night.

The early favorite to win the race, Juan Pablo Montoya, was unexpectedly taken out of the race on lap 17 when he cut across the front of Regan Smith’s car and both cars crashed going into turn one.

Jimmie Johnson was the class of the field for the majority of the night, but history repeated itself as he led the second and third segment of the race, only to finish 13th, Johnson’s only win in the All Star race has came he only led the final segment of the race.

The race was without incident for the majority of the event, until lap 98 when Denny Hamlin was leading and his team mate Kyle Busch closing coming off the corner when Hamlin moved up the track and Busch smacked the wall.

Kyle Busch later blew a right front tire out and crashed into Kasey Kahne, over the radio Busch could be heard saying, “Someone better keep me away from Denny Hamlin after this race! I had this race won, it was won!”

Kurt Busch, who hit the wall twice during the event, made a charge from fifth place to the lead to win the race.

Martin Truex Jr. finished second to Busch, who rode the top of the track all race long, and finally won an All Star race in his ninth try.

Pit decisions proved to be everything in this race, as the cars made their way down to pit road for scheduled stops, and all but one car took at least two tires and fuel.

By some reasoning, Lance McGrew, crew chief of the 88 Jr. Foundation car decided to go to no tires and only fuel.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. exited the pits fourth and finished the race 12th.

This race will be hard to follow by the superstars of NASCAR, but they will try in the longest race of the season, the Coca Cola 600.

Anyone who wants a shot at a $20 million bonus from Bruton Smith, has to do one thing, win the Indy 500 and then win the Coca Cola 600.

Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, and John Andretti are the only drivers who have recently tried to compete in both races. It makes for a grueling day: 1,100 miles of racing.

However, when you take into the ratings and sponsorship opportunities that both races present, someone will do it, and eventually win the bonus.

Contact sports reporter Travis Anderson at 997-3111, ext. 44 or via email st tanderson@yourdailyjournal.com.