Raceday Warmup: All-Star Challenge

No Rain!
For the first time in two weeks, a race weekend won't be impacted by rain tonight. The forecast for today in Charlotte calls for a high of 75 and Sunny while tonight things will get nice and cool for the fans in the stands. Clear skies, a low of 46 degrees, and plenty of sparks on the track.

Welcome Back
Pending May 30th, NASCAR has lifted the suspensions of David Hyder, Michael Waltrip's former crew chief, and Bobby Kennedy, the director of competition over at MWR. Both were suspended after the No. 55 engine scandal at Daytona. Also mentioned, a crew chief from the Busch Series who was suspended indefinitely after Phoenix last November. Think they forgot about his case? Or was he that bad?
North Carolinians, Watch Out
Mike Easley, the governor of the great state of North Carolina, has had his moments while attempting to drive a few NASCARs. A staunch supporter of motorsports, Easley has driven two Jimmie Johnson show cars. Once, he was driving around the state capitol as a publicity event and nearly sideswiped a parked car. A year later, Easley crashed while driving one at Lowe's Motor Speedway. For some reason, he still keeps getting to drive them, as tonight he'll do a few laps in the No. 25 car (a show car) prior to the Challenge in support of North Carolina's National Guard.

Vote for Carl? Vote for Charity!
Carl Edwards, who somehow hasn't managed a win in this season or last for a guaranteed spot in tonight's All-Star race, has taken a new approach to getting in. If he can't win the Nextel Open tonight for the transfer spot, then he will have to rely on the fan vote to get him in. Last night after qualifying, Edwards proclaimed that all of his winnings, including a potential $1 million payday in the Challenge, would be donated to Speedway Children's Charities and the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Basically, Edwards is making the plea of "If you don't vote for me, you hate children." Good for him.