Last year's winner Mark Martin lets the champagne fly after winning the 2006 NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway. More photos  HERE (Getty Images/Chris Trotman) » More Photos

"Aside from being more compelling to fans and teams, we anticipate the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge will continue its tradition of being one of the most exciting races of the year," said Steve O'Donnell, vice president of racing operations for NASCAR. "The teams will have the ability to make wholesale changes at certain points of the event and develop different strategies as the event progresses."

Teams will have the option of pitting after the first 20-lap segment, giving up their respective on-track position by doing so. A mandatory 10-minute stop will follow the second 20-lap segment. Teams will resume their position at the start of the third segment.

Following segment three, all remaining participants on the track will circle the track under caution. Each team will then conduct a pit stop under race-like pitting conditions. The order of the teams exiting pit road will serve as the starting lineup for the fourth, and final, 20-lap segment.

"Never before have the pit crews been more instrumental in deciding the outcome of the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge," O'Donnell said.

The NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge will be broadcast live on SPEED. Click HERE for SPEED's complete All-Star lineup, photo galleries and more.

Tickets, which start at $21 for adults and $10 for children under 12, to the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge are on sale now through the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office. Fans may purchase tickets by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.