The past meets present as a new era of NASCAR All-Star racing begins.

A new format for the first NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race under “Monster Energy” was unveiled and one lucky driver will drive away with one million dollars. The new format for the 2017 All-Star Race will reward winning and incorporates a rather interesting strategy component. “This new 70-lap format pays tribute to the 25th anniversary of ‘One Hot Night’ while pushing the drivers to the brink of insanity with the chances they’ll take to win $1 million. I’m as ready as our fans for a May 20 Saturday night shootout where only a daredevil behind the wheel truly has a shot at Victory Lane,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR will let each team use a set of softer tires at their discretion in the 4-stage race. Softer tires will give cars more grip and speed as they maneuver around Charlotte Motor Speedway, which could prove to be extremely entertaining. “This could be a direction for the future of the sport. I like it. Let’s see how it goes, said Kurt Busch.

The 2017 All-Star Race marks the 25th anniversary of the first All-Star Race under the lights in 1992. The race format may have changed over the decades, but what has remained constant is the fans love. Below is a brief overview of the new format.

via NASCAR.com:

The race format is as follows:

 

– The race will feature four stages (20 laps, 20 laps, 20 laps, 10 laps), totaling 70 laps, an ode to the 1992 edition of the same distance.

 

– The goal for all competitors: Earn a spot in the final 10-lap, 10-car stage.

 

– The winner of each of the first three stages will lock up a spot in the final stage, as long as they remain on the lead lap after the third stage.

 

– The cars with the best average finish in the first three stages will make up the remaining spots needed to fill the 10-car final stage.

 

– The remaining 10 cars will be lined up by average finish of the first three stages and given the option to pit. Exit off pit road determines starting order for final stage.

 

– The winner will be awarded $1,000,000.

For additional details about the Monster Energy All-Star Race including a list of drivers who are already eligible for the Monster Energy All-Star Race take the jump over to NASCAR.com. The All-Star Race will air live May 20, 2017 on FS1 starting at 6 p.m. ET.

Tags All-Star Race Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series NASCAR NASCAR All-Stars